Under the Helmet: Winston DeLattiboudere - University of Minnesota Athletics

It’s hard to miss Winston DeLattiboudere. The 6-3, 260-pound bearded defensive lineman has a commanding presence for the Gophers, but his energy is perhaps even more prominent. Now in his final season at Minnesota, DeLattiboudere has solidified himself as one of the team’s most electric leaders.

But it hasn’t always come naturally.

Delattiboudere came to Minnesota as a 17-year-old, barely 200 pounds, and a long way away from home in Baltimore, Md. There were times he begged his parents to come home, but he heeded their advice to tough it out.

And it worked.

“I remember I couldn’t even do a pull-up, much less run that fast. Now I’m much more explosive, more powerful, and my mindset is a lot better,” he said. “I always said that I was going to be able to push myself to the brink so that the next time I would be able to push myself even further. And I know a lot of other people don’t have that, that instinct, that killer mentality to be able to put your foot on somebody’s neck and finish the job when the time comes.”

DeLattiboudere also began to feel more comfortable and confident off the field, and as he was finding his own voice, he met his match in head coach P.J. Fleck.

“I’m a high-energy guy and he matches my energy, exceeds my energy sometimes,” DeLattiboudere said. “He’s made me feel like I can be my whole self and my complete self. It’s shown me that I can be 100 percent always, on and off the field, and that’s made me feel even better internally than externally.”

I want guys to remember me not as just a dynamic player on the field, but the helping hand and somebody that they can call at any time of the day, any time of the night, off the field as well. I believe that sometimes the off-field relationships resonate with guys even more than the on-field relationships.

Now settled into his new home in Minnesota, DeLattiboudere has taken giving back to it to another level.

He was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list prior to the season, which is known as “College Football's Premier Award for Community Service.” DeLattiboudere hosted a successful school supply drive in August and is a frequent visitor to schools in the area.

The teenager who was once feeling a bit lost and underdeveloped on campus has now blossomed into a man excited for the lasting mark that he can leave on Gopher football.

“I want guys to remember me not as just a dynamic player on the field, but the helping hand and somebody that they can call at any time of the day, any time of the night, off the field as well,” Delattiboudere said “I believe that sometimes the off-field relationships resonate with guys even more than the on-field relationships.”