Kevin Winston Jr., the standout safety and captain for Penn State, has been sidelined due to an undisclosed injury. The question remains whether this projected first-round NFL draft pick could make a return this season.
During his Monday press conference, head coach James Franklin addressed this directly. While he didn’t rule out Winston’s potential return, he also stopped short of making any guarantees.
Last month, Franklin mentioned that Winston, who left the game against Bowling Green on September 7, is dealing with a “long-term” injury, a statement he reiterated on Monday.
“I think I somewhat answered that question regarding the long-term injury. That’s about as far as I’m going to go with the details, which is pretty standard for a long-term injury,” Franklin explained. “We’re hopeful for him to play a larger leadership role in the future, but right now, KJ’s priority is getting healthy.”
Franklin also shared that he and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter visited Winston, a Maryland native, and his family last Wednesday night.
“That was great,” Franklin said. “He’s a vital part of our program and will continue to be. However, given the health challenges he’s facing, his focus is rightly on recovery.”
Having Winston back would be a significant boost for Penn State. Before the 2024 season, he was regarded as one of the top safeties in college football, leading the team with 60 tackles, along with 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and an interception in 2023.
In Winston’s absence, Penn State has had to adjust its defensive strategy. First-year defensive coordinator Tom Allen has utilized Jaylen Reed more as a true safety, even though Reed is ideally suited for the “Lion” position—a flexible defensive back role in Allen’s 4-2-5 scheme, which balances pass defense and run stopping.
Reed and fellow starting safety Zakee Wheatley have logged significant playing time this season, with Reed and Wheatley leading the team in defensive snaps at 306 and 297, respectively, according to Pro Football Focus. Freshman Dejuan Lane has also stepped up, taking 66 defensive snaps and using his redshirt.
When asked about Reed, who leads the team in tackles for 2024 and was named a second-team midseason All-American by the Associated Press, Franklin praised his performance.
“I think he’s playing exceptionally well,” Franklin said. “He not only excels individually but also elevates those around him. You can see him out there directing the defense and communicating checks… He’s really been effective.
“Typically, you don’t want your safety to be the leading tackler, but he hasn’t just played a conventional safety role—he’s also taken on outside linebacker responsibilities. I hope we can return to that. As Lane develops, getting all three of those players on the field will be crucial for us moving forward.”
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