BleedGopher
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per Megan:
Just when it looked like the 87-degree heat zapped their energy last Saturday, the Gophers secondary got a jolt from Antoine Winfield Jr. to finish the afternoon football practice strong.
Winfield lunged to deflect passes. He chased ball carriers. His shoulder pads made a popping sound with contact each time he delivered what would be a menacing hit if this weren’t a non-tackling drill.
When he wasn’t flying around the TCF Bank Stadium field, Winfield pumped up teammates with high-fives and chest bumps. After suffering a season-ending injury each of the past two years, the talented 5-10, 205-pound redshirt sophomore safety is healthy and eager to show he’s still among the Big Ten’s best defensive backs.
“I’m already excited to get back on the field,” said Winfield, whose reps were limited during spring practice. “Being out, it just gives you a different perspective. I’m just super excited to get back out there.”
“If he has a healthy season, he’s going to be a terror in the Big Ten, that’s for sure,” Coughlin said. “All of his injuries are completely healed. He’s 100%. It’s one of those things, those were just situations that he couldn’t control. But he’s healthy now, so nothing’s going to hold him back.”
The U’s secondary is thin on experience. Sophomore Jordan Howden and redshirt junior Calvin Swenson, both former walk-ons, are battling for the other safety spot.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck presented a challenge to Winfield in his office before fall camp. Beyond staying healthy, the next step for Winfield is to embrace a leadership role.
“He was really excited for camp, especially after the last two years chomping at the bit to get back in there,” Fleck said.
“We need someone to take over that secondary. It’s hard to do that when you were hurt. He knew that. But I can’t wait for him to come out of his shell even more and lead the secondary. I know he can do that. We know what he can do physically.”
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...make-a-difference-in-the-secondary/524286191/
Go Gophers!!
Just when it looked like the 87-degree heat zapped their energy last Saturday, the Gophers secondary got a jolt from Antoine Winfield Jr. to finish the afternoon football practice strong.
Winfield lunged to deflect passes. He chased ball carriers. His shoulder pads made a popping sound with contact each time he delivered what would be a menacing hit if this weren’t a non-tackling drill.
When he wasn’t flying around the TCF Bank Stadium field, Winfield pumped up teammates with high-fives and chest bumps. After suffering a season-ending injury each of the past two years, the talented 5-10, 205-pound redshirt sophomore safety is healthy and eager to show he’s still among the Big Ten’s best defensive backs.
“I’m already excited to get back on the field,” said Winfield, whose reps were limited during spring practice. “Being out, it just gives you a different perspective. I’m just super excited to get back out there.”
“If he has a healthy season, he’s going to be a terror in the Big Ten, that’s for sure,” Coughlin said. “All of his injuries are completely healed. He’s 100%. It’s one of those things, those were just situations that he couldn’t control. But he’s healthy now, so nothing’s going to hold him back.”
The U’s secondary is thin on experience. Sophomore Jordan Howden and redshirt junior Calvin Swenson, both former walk-ons, are battling for the other safety spot.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck presented a challenge to Winfield in his office before fall camp. Beyond staying healthy, the next step for Winfield is to embrace a leadership role.
“He was really excited for camp, especially after the last two years chomping at the bit to get back in there,” Fleck said.
“We need someone to take over that secondary. It’s hard to do that when you were hurt. He knew that. But I can’t wait for him to come out of his shell even more and lead the secondary. I know he can do that. We know what he can do physically.”
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...make-a-difference-in-the-secondary/524286191/
Go Gophers!!
