Week 1: Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

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courtesy penn state athletics

Penn State University safety Kevin Winston Jr., a graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after making a career-high 12 tackles and forcing a fumble as the Nittany Lions opened the season with a 34-12 win over West Virginia. He also was named the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

“All offseason we talked about coming out this year and making this a great year, and showing everybody what we can do,” Winston told reporters after the game. “And, you know, we go to practice every day with that mindset.”

Winston, who was honored as the Touchdown Club’s Maryland High School Player of the Year following the 2021 season, has blossomed into an elite player at Penn State. He played as a reserve during his freshman year but now is in his second year as a starter and is considered a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft. Prior to this season, Winston was voted one of Penn State’s captains by his teammates.

Winston made eight of his 12 tackles during the first half as the Nittany Lions burst out to a 20-6 lead at halftime and held the Mountaineers to just one touchdown in the game.

“I don’t have enough adjectives for him,” Penn State Coach James Franklin told reporters last month after a preseason practice. “He’s got a great relationship with the coaches and he’s kind of an extension of the coaching staff. I could go on and on and on. I think he’s gonna have a big year for us and think he’s got a very, very special, bright future.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week College Honor Roll:

  • Bluefield WR-DB Nehemiah Carter (Old Mill) returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, caught a 12-yard pass and had a sack as the Rams beat Thomas University, 35-7.

  • San Diego State RB Marquez Cooper (Quince Orchard) rushed 27 times for 223 yards and two touchdowns as the Aztecs beat Texas A&M-Commerce, 45-14.

  • Eastern Michigan LB James Djonkam (West Springfield) made a game-high 13 tackles with one sack as the Eagles beat Massachusetts, 28-14.

  • Maryland WR Tai Felton (Stone Bridge) caught seven passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns as the Terrapins beat Connecticut, 50-7.

  • Navy WR Eli Heidenreich caught four passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns and caught a pass for a two-point conversion as the Midshipmen beat Bucknell, 49-21.

  • Wake Forest WR Taylor Morin (Westfield) caught six passes for 100 yards and returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown as the Demon Deacons beat North Carolina A&T, 45-13.

  • Oklahoma State S Trey Rucker (Flint Hill) made a career-high 15 tackles as the Cowboys beat South Dakota State, 44-20.

  • South Carolina DE Dylan Stewart (Friendship Collegiate) made four tackles with two sacks and forced two fumbles as the Gamecocks beat Old Dominion, 23-19.