.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Meet The Newcomers: Antoine Winfield Jr.
8/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Antoine Winfield Jr. lived in Minnesota before moving to Texas for his final three years of high school. Now the son of former Viking Antoine Winfield is back in the Twin Cities, this time wearing the Maroon and Gold.
"I fell in love with the place," Winfield Jr. said. "I can really see myself thriving here."
Winfield's father Antoine, played defensive back at Ohio State from 1995-98 and won the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation's top defensive back in 1998. His whole family is from Ohio and some family and friends tried to persuade him to go there, but an old friend had other ideas.
"I grew up with Carter Coughlin," Winfield Jr. said. "We played football together ever since grade school. He reconnected with me and told me to come here for a visit. That is why I am here today."
The name Winfield name is a recognizable one here in Minnesota as Winfield Sr. had an outstanding nine year career for the Vikings.
"My dad has taught me everything," the younger Winfield said. "He taught me how to watch film. We always went outside and practiced on whatever I needed to practice on. He really just showed me the ropes to be how he is."
While that may be true, Winfield Jr. offered up a controversial answer when asked his favorite NFL player.
"Earl Thomas. I like the way he plays," Winfield Jr. said. "I played safety in high school. I wanted to model my game after him."
Like both his dad and Thomas, Winfield Jr. packs a punch when he hits. He paced a defense that allowed only 7.4 points per game in high school. As a senior he totaled 87 tackles, five forced fumbles and picked off a pair of passes.
Winfield Jr. is also explosive. He averaged 21 yards per punt return that included a 92-yard return for a touchdown. He said it is good to be back in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and Minnesota fans are certainly happy to have another Winfield to cheer for.
