Winfield Drafted By Tampa Bay

Minneapolis (gophersports.com) - University of Minnesota defensive back and Unanimous All-American Antoine Winfield Jr. was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round with the 45th overall pick Friday.

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 is the first Minnesota defensive back to be drafted since Jalen Myrick in the 2017. He is the first Gopher to be selected by Tampa Bay since defensive tackle Mike Sunvold in 1991.

Winfield also excelled 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.