Antoine Winfield Jr. is among the shortlist of players in the 2020 NFL Draft that comes from a family that has experience in the NFL. While he was exposed to football at an early age, Winfield Jr. watched film of the Minnesota Vikings when he was 11 years old.
#Gophers S Antoine Winfield Jr. recalls watching #Vikings film with his father when he was 11: “It’s a testament to me being here.”
When Jr. sees his own highlights, he can see Sr. “It comes when I’m tackling. I’m like, I’ve seen my dad make the same tackle.” pic.twitter.com/G4b4QKNLM2
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) February 28, 2020
Of course, the incoming safety out of Minnesota is the son of Vikings all-time great, Antoine Winfield. The older Winfield spent nine seasons with the Vikings and was named to three Pro Bowls.
As for Winfield Jr., he's been considered as one of the best safety prospects in this year's draft. One reason why is due to Winfield Jr.'s football IQ and his ability to read plays before they happen. The Minnesota product credits his knowledge of the game to spending time around his father in the NFL.
In college, Winfield Sr. chose to attend Ohio State and became a first-round selection at cornerback by the Buffalo Bills. Unlike his father, Winfield Jr. went to Minnesota and developed into a ball-hawking safety.
In his final season at Minnesota, Winfield Jr. notched 83 tackles, seven interceptions, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. As a result of his production, teams in the NFL are beginning to take notice of Winfield Jr. as a starting safety in the NFL.
The talented safety prospect is set to take part in drills at the NFL Combine on Sunday. If Winfield Jr. has a successful NFL Combine, there's an off chance that he follows in his father's footsteps and becomes a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
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