Penn State coach James Franklin confirmed that the team wonโt be getting one of its best players back for the 2024 season.
Safety Kevin Winston Jr., who got hurt in the teamโs second game of the season against Bowling Green Sept. 6, is out for the season.
This shouldnโt come as a surprise.
Franklin said in late September that Winston was out with a โlong-term injury.โ In the two-plus months since, there had been no sign that Winston was nearing a return, so Franklinโs announcement seemed inevitable. But itโs still big news because of how talented Winston is. Heโs a guy that, if he had been healthy, could well have been a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
A BIG-TIME PLAYER
MORGANTOWN, WV – AUGUST 31: West Virginia Mountaineers running back Jahiem White (1) is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr. (2) during the college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the West Virginia Mountaineers on August 31, 2024 at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, WV. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)
In Penn Stateโs 34-12 win Week 1 win at West Virginia, the junior defensive back from Columbia, Maryland, recorded 12 tackles and a forced fumble. Winston stripped WVU quarterback Garrett Greene on a QB scramble in the first quarter, but the Mountaineers recovered. A few plays later, Winston stopped Greene short of the sticks on 4th and 1 inside the 20 and forced a turnover on downs.
His 12 tackles tied a career-high set against Michigan last season but set a new career-best record with seven solo tackles. His strong tackling and physicality were on full display.
WHAT ABOUT NEXT SEASON?
Graphic by Penn State athletics: KJ Winston
Perhaps the only bright spot of Winstonโs injury from Penn Stateโs end is that it is more likely to have him back for the 2025 season than it would have been if he were a slam-dunk first-round pick. So, weโll see what he decides.
No. 6 Penn State is scheduled to take on No. 11 SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium.
