Tag: Kevin Winston Jr.

Penn State vs. Ohio State injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 10

All the latest updates and news on Penn State’s injury report ahead of a Week 10 game vs. Ohio State.

Penn State hosts Ohio State in one of the games of the year in the Big Ten. But the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes each are coming into the week with some notable injury concerns after last week. Penn State lost key players in the first half of last week’s win at Wisconsin when quarterback [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] and defensive end [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] each left in the second half of the game. Ohio State is battling some offensive line concerns after getting a little banged up last week in a win against Nebraska.

Penn State and Ohio State kick off today’s game at noon Eastern on Fox. Penn State is a slight underdog at home and does not have history on its side in this series. If Penn State is going to pick up a win, then it will need to be as close to full strength as possible.

Here is a look at the player availability reports for both teams for today’s big game in Happy Valley. (Player availability reports are released two hours prior to kickoff, so this post will be updated accordingly once that information is available).

Penn State player availability report

QUESTIONABLE

  • Dani Dennis-Sutton
  • [autotag]Anthony Donkoh[/autotag]

OUT

  • [autotag]Kevin Winston Jr.[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Kaden Saunders[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Quinton Martin Jr.[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Cam Wallace[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Keon Wylie[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Zuriah Fisher[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Andrew Rappleyea[/autotag]

Ohio State player availability report

OUT

  • TC Caffey (season)
  • Josh Simmons (season)
  • Zen Michalski
  • Reis Stocksdales
  • Will Kacmarek

Drew Allar injury update

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar left last week’s game at Wisconsin at the end of the first half with an apparent knee injury. After warming up for the second half, Allar did not play after halftime, giving way to backup quarterback Beau Pribula. Allar was seen practicing with the team this week and is expected to play and start for the Nittany Lions on Saturday.

Dani Dennis-Sutton injury update

Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton left last week’s game early in the second half with a reported groin injury. Dennis-Sutotn was taken out of the game late in the first half and did try playing at the start of the second half, but he was removed quickly in the second half as a caution. Head coach James Franklin said this week he would be a game-time decision.

Nicholas Singleton questionable for Penn State vs. UCLA

Penn State’s top offensive player listed as questionable vs. UCLA.

Penn State running back [autotag]Nicholas Singleton[/autotag] is off to a solid start to the 2024 season, but how much he is used on Saturday afternoon as Penn State hosts UCLA remains to be determined.  Singleton was officially listed as questionable on the Penn State player availability report, which was released a couple of hours prior to kickoff.

Big Ten teams are required to release a player availability report for their respective games no less than two hours before game time. Penn State and UCLA had some extensive reports to share leading up to their noon Eastern kickoff. Singleton being listed as questionable was the biggest headline for Penn State, although the latest report confirms safety [autotag]Kevin Winston Jr.[/autotag] remains out.

UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers is listed as questionable, which is notable for the Bruins. UCLA’s quarterback has thrown twice as many interceptions as he has touchdowns this season, and he has been roughed up a bit in the past couple of weeks against Oregon and Indiana. If things go sour, could a quarterback change be in the works for the Bruins, potentially mixing things up against Penn State’s defense?

Here is a look at the updated player availability reports for Penn State and UCLA ahead of today’s afternoon game.

OUT – PENN STATE

  • Kevin Winston Jr.
  • Kaden Saunders
  • Jaxon Smolik
  • Cam Wallace
  • Kari Jackson
  • Keon Wylie
  • Zuriah Fisher
  • Mason Robinson
  • Jaylen Harvey
  • Donte Nastasi
  • Ethan Black
  • Peter Gonzalez
  • Andrew Rappleyea
  • Sam Siafa
  • Liam Andrews
  • T.A. Cunningham

QUESTIONABLE – PENN STATE

  • Nicholas Singleton

And here is a look at the UCLA player availability report for this afternoon.

OUT – UCLA

  • Donavan Pellot
  • Kanye Clark
  • Titus Atimalala
  • Dermaricus Davis
  • Braden Pagen
  • D.J. Justice
  • Jonathan Vaughns
  • Deshun Murrell
  • Troy Leigber
  • Tre Edwards
  • Joquarri Price
  • Jordan Abarca
  • Gary Smith
  • Oluwafunto Akinshilo
  • Reuben Unije
  • MarquiseThorpe-Taylor
  • Hudson Habermehl
  • Keanu Williams

QUESTIONABLE – UCLA

  • Rick Flores
  • Ale Kaho
  • Ethan Garbers
  • Croix Stewart
  • Travis Drosos
  • Jack Clarke
  • Jaylan Jeffers
  • Sam Summa
  • Jacob Busic

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Penn State player availability report for Kent State updated

Penn State has posted its player availability report for today’s game against Kent State.

Penn State will be without one of its top defensive players on the roster this weekend when the Nittany Lions host Kent State for a mid-Saturday afternoon non-conference matchup. Head coach James Franklin announced this week that the team will be without safety, Kevin Winston Jr., for an extended period of time due to a long-term injury. This week’s player availability confirmed that for this week with Winston Jr. being among the players officially ruled out on the Penn State player availability report.

Big Ten teams are required to provide a player availability report prior to their respective games each week as part of a new conference policy put into place for the 2023 season.

The following players were listed as out for Penn State for the Kent State game.

  • [autotag]Kevin Winston Jr.[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Jaxon Smolik[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Kari Jackson[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Keon Wylie[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Zuriah Fisher[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Mason Robinson[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Mehki Flowers[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Peter Gonzalez[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Andrew Rappleyea[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Sam Siafa[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Liam Andrews[/autotag]
  • [autotag]De’Andre Cook[/autotag]
  • [autotag]T.A. Cunningham[/autotag]

Penn State hosts Kent State at 3:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

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Kevin Winston Jr. sidelined with ‘long-term injury’

Penn State is expected to be without one of its top defensive players for an extended period of time.

Just two games into the season, Penn State has lost a key defensive player for what is expected to be a significant amount of time.

During a mid-week post-practice briefing with the media this week, Penn State head coach James Franklin announced that safety [autotag]Kevin Winston Jr. [/autotag]could be out for an extended period of time due to a “long-term” injury as described by Franklin. Winston was injured early in Penn State’s Week 2 game against Bowling Green and did not return to the game.

The loss of Winston Jr. will leave a big spot to fill in the secondary. Penn State has been using Winston along with Jaylen Reed and Zakee Wheatley in a rotation. This injury could mean more time on the field for both Wheatley and Reed until younger options like DaKaari Nelson, Lamont Payne, or Antoine Belgrave-Shorter are better prepared for a possible larger role in the defensive game planning.

There is no overstating just how significant a loss this is for Penn State. Winston Jr. was one of the nation’s top-rated safeties coming into the 2024 season and was projected by many draft experts to be an early-round draft pick, with some notable draft projections placing Winston in the first round.

It remains unclear at this time if Wonston will get back on the field this season for Penn State. If he does not, then what he decides to do in 2025 could be influenced by the conversations he has about his potential draft stock coming off an injury. But that is a decision and conversation to have after the season.

Penn State is coming off a bye week in Week 3 and will host Kent State this weekend when they return to the field. Penn State will host Kent State at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday on Big Ten Network.

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Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

Penn State safety named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his impressive performance against West Virginia

It was quite the first game for Penn State who defeated West Virginia 34-12, Saturday afternoon. One of the stars of the contest was Nittany Lions’ safety[autotag]Kevin Winston Jr.[/autotag] who was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Mountaineers.

Winston had a career-high 12 tackles helping No. 9 Penn State to the win. It was his first career Big Ten weekly award and he became the first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week since Ji’Ayir Brown on September 19, 2022.

Saturday marked the Columbia, Md. native’s third career game with double-digit tackles and his first career forced fumble. Through one week, Winston ranks 16th in the nation in tackles (12) and 22nd in solo tackles.

His play helped Penn State hold WVU to only 85 rushing yards and 161 passing yards. The Penn State safety was named to the Bednarik Award Watch List this preseason given annually  to the best defensive player in the country.

Penn State will host Bowling Green this Saturday with kickoff set for noon on the Big Ten Network.

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Penn State defensive MVP predictions for 2024

Our staff makes their picks for Penn State’s defensive MVP in 2024.

Penn State’s offense may be the bigger question for the Nittany Lions this season, but the defense has a few things to figure out this season as well. After the departure of Manny Diaz to be a head coach at Duke, Penn State brought in former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to take over as defensive coordinator. Allen’s reputation as a defensive mind is well-regarded, and he has some good players to work with this season.

Allen has a defense that sees a key player make a notable position change, a rising star at linebacker, and another stud in the making in the secondary to carry on Penn State’s recent line of success in the defensive backfield.

Here are our predictions for Penn State’s defensive MVP in 2024.

Brad Wakai: Tony Rojas

While all the attention is on Abdul Carter moving to edge rusher, it’s going to be tackling machine Tony Rojas who racks up stats and stops the run, allowing Penn State’s pass rushers to wreak havoc like they have done so often.

Charlie Strella: Tony Rojas

The smart pick is Abdul Carter and he rightfully is the best player on PSU’s defense, but this is “Linebacker U” after all so I’m going with the up and coming sophomore Tony Rojas. The next NFL caliber linebacker to come out of Happy Valley. He very well could end up leading the team in tackles and is already emerging as a leader of defense.

Shayne Kubas: Kevin Winston Jr

It’s tempting to go with the explosive Abdul Carter with this pick, but nobody was more consistent on Penn State’s defense last season than Kevin Winston Jr. He is the glue that should keep a new-look secondary together, and there could be a potential top-50 NFL draft pick with his name on it next April.

Kevin McGuire: Abdul Carter

So nobody wants to take Abdul Carter? Then I suppose I will!

The move from linebacker to the edge of the line is a fascinating one and I do believe it will lead to Carter being one of the top edge rusher sin the Big Ten. The explosiveness I expect Carter to bring to the line will create some huge plays in the backfield this season and just his presence alone up front will help others on the line make some plays as well. I think we are in for a monster season from Carter.

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13 Penn State players appear on Senior Bowl watch list for 2024

A large number of Penn State players are on this year’s Senior Bowl watch list.

Penn State has historically been productive when it comes to manufacturing talent for the next level in the NFL, and this year’s roster is not short on potential NFL talent. One of the highlights of the draft cycle is the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, which invites the nation’s top seniors to participate in one of the premier scouting events outside of the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. An invite to the Senior Bowl is cherished and must be earned, and is a sign of the respect the NFL draft and scouting community holds for a player. It is a great tryout in front of the NFL world and can dramatically impact a player’s draft stock.

The Senior Bowl released its watch list of players for the upcoming season, and Penn State was well represented with players that could eventually be invited to participate in the top senior all-star game leading up to the NFL draft.

The full list of Penn State players appearing on the watch list includes:

  • [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag], QB
  • [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag], RB
  • [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag], DL
  • [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag], DL
  • [autotag]Julian Fleming[/autotag], WR
  • [autotag]Kobe King[/autotag], LB
  • [autotag]JB Nelson[/autotag], OL
  • [autotag]Jaylen Reed[/autotag], DB
  • [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag], RB
  • [autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag], TE
  • [autotag]Kevin Winston Jr.[/autotag], DB
  • [autotag]Sal Wormley[/autotag], OL
  • [autotag]Nolan Rucci[/autotag], OL

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Penn State names team captains for 2024

Penn State will have these six players serve as team captains for this season.

As the days inch closer to the start of a brand new Penn State football season, team captains for the 2024 season have been officially annoucned. Penn State will have six team captains for the upcoming college football season with two offensive players, three defensive players, and a special teams player.

Penn State head coach James Franklin annoucned his team captains for 2024 will be quarterback [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Nick Dawkins[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Dominic DeLuca[/autotag] and [autotag]Kobe King[/autotag], safety [autotag]Kevin Winston Jr.[/autotag], and punter [autotag]Riley Thompson[/autotag].

Of the six team captains, DeLuca is the only player who served as a team captain in 2023. DeLuca is a former walk-on player who has worked his way up the ranks within the program from special teams contributor to starting linebacker.

Penn State will open the 2024 season with a road game at West Virginia on Saturday, Aug. 31. You can see the full Penn State schedule here and download a schedule wallpaper for your smartphone.

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Abdul Carter and Kevin Winston Jr. named on Bednarik Award watch list

Penn State has four all-time Bednarik Award winners. Will eihter of these two watch list players be the fifth?

College football’s award watch list season is drawing near a close, but a couple of Penn State players managed to get their names on a notable watch list this week. Defensive end Abdul Carter and safety Kevin Winston Jr. were each named on this year’s watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which honors the nation’s top defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club.

Carter has also appeared on the watch lists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year. Carter made a notable offseason move from linebacker to defensive end, although head coach James Franklin has suggested fans will see Carter play multiple positions this season depending on what the defense needs.

Penn State has had three players combine for four all-time Bednarik Awards in program history. LaVar Arrington was the first Nittany Lion to win the award in 1999. Paul Posluszny won back-to-back Bednarik Awards in 2005 and 2006 to become the second two-time and back-to-back winner of the award (Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald won the first two Bednarik Awards in 1995 and 1996). Dan Conner made it three Bednarik Awards in a row with his honor in 2007.

Last year’s winner of the Bednarik Award was NC State linebacker Payton Wilson (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers). The last Big Ten player to win the Bednarik Award was Ohio State defensive end Chase Young in 2019.

Other notable past winners of the Bednarik Award include Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska, 2009), Patrick Peterson (LSU, 2010) Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh, 2013), Julius Peppers (North Carolina, 2001), and Charles Woodson (Michigan, 1997).

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Three Penn State Nittany Lions among top-rated players in EA Sports College Football 25

Find out which three Penn State players are among EA Sports College Football 25 top 100 players.

Penn State has a trio of stars among the top 100-rated players in EA Sports College Football 25. Defensive end [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag], safety [autotag]Kevin Winston Jr.[/autotag] and running back [autotag]Nicholas Singleton[/autotag] are the top Penn State players in the upcoming video game.

The game’s full player ratings were revealed on Wednesday, leading up to its much-anticipated launch date on July 16.

Related: Where Penn State ranks in EA Sports CFB 25

Carter is the No. 47 overall player in the game with a 91 overall rating. The linebacker-turned-defensive end is the No. 3 rated right end behind Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. (95 OVR) and Kentucky’s Deone Walker (93 OVR).

Kevin Winston Jr. is ranked ten slots lower than Carter at No. 57 overall with the same overall rating of 91 overall. Winston Jr. is the No. 2 overall strong safety behind only Virginia’s Jonas Sanker (92 OVR).

Meanwhile, Singleton is at No. 64 overall with the same overall rating of 91. Singleton is the No. 10 overall running back behind Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II (96 OVR), Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins (95 OVR), North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton (93 OVR), Ohio State’s Treveyon Henderson (93 OVR), California’s Jaydn Ott (93 OVR), Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks (92 OVR), Kansas’s Devin Neal (92 OVR), Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty (91 OVR) and Michigan’s star cover athlete Donovan Edwards (91 OVR).

The best players in the game are Michigan’s star CB Will Johnson, LSU LT Will Campbell (96 OVR), Gordon II,  Pearce Jr., Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (95 OVR) and Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter (95 OVR).

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