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Winfield Named to BTN's All-Decade Team
7/1/2020 10:16:00 PM | Football
Former Gopher was named a unanimous All-American before being drafted by Tampa Bay
Former University of Minnesota defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr., was named to BTN's All-Decade Big Ten football team.
Last season, Winfield was named All-Big Ten First Team and was also the Big Ten's Defensive Back of the Year after recording 88 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He also tied a school modern-era, single-season record with seven interceptions in 2019 en route to being named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which is presented to the best defensive player in the nation.
Winfield recorded 177 tackles in his career and also scored three touchdowns, as he returned two interceptions for scores and also returned a punt for a touchdown. He finished his career with seven tackles for loss and four sacks. The ball found Winfield often as he had nine career interceptions, recovered three fumbles and blocked one field goal.
He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round with the 45th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Winfield was the first Minnesota defensive back to be drafted since Jalen Myrick in 2017. He was the first Gopher to be selected by Tampa Bay since defensive tackle Mike Sunvold in 1991.
Winfield also exceled off the field as well. He was named Academic All-Big Ten in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and was CoSida Academic All-District in 2019.
Last season, Winfield was named All-Big Ten First Team and was also the Big Ten's Defensive Back of the Year after recording 88 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He also tied a school modern-era, single-season record with seven interceptions in 2019 en route to being named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which is presented to the best defensive player in the nation.
Winfield recorded 177 tackles in his career and also scored three touchdowns, as he returned two interceptions for scores and also returned a punt for a touchdown. He finished his career with seven tackles for loss and four sacks. The ball found Winfield often as he had nine career interceptions, recovered three fumbles and blocked one field goal.
Winfield was named All-America First Team by the AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation to become Minnesota's first unanimous selection since Greg Eslinger in 2005."You look at a decade team, in the Big Ten, I'm like, 'Wow.' It's just an incredible accomplishment."@GopherFootball great @AntoineWJr11 sits down with @BTNRickPizzo to discuss his #BTNAllDecade honor.
— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) July 1, 2020
More ➡️ https://t.co/9Hiwn2Pt2e pic.twitter.com/skLfE6j19o
He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round with the 45th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Winfield was the first Minnesota defensive back to be drafted since Jalen Myrick in 2017. He was the first Gopher to be selected by Tampa Bay since defensive tackle Mike Sunvold in 1991.
Winfield also exceled off the field as well. He was named Academic All-Big Ten in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and was CoSida Academic All-District in 2019.
"2019, I'm not sure any defensive player had a better season than he did, except, for probably, Chase Young."@ByPatForde and the voters share why former @GopherFootball star @AntoineWJr11 takes home #BTNAllDecade honors.
— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) July 1, 2020
More ➡️ https://t.co/9Hiwn2Pt2e pic.twitter.com/tUko5ygWxc
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