Minnesota Football: Antoine Winfield Jr. named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. has been named the Big Ten’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, in addition to being a unanimous selection for first-team All-Big Ten.

Winfield rebounded from back-to-back seasons in which he suffered season-ending injuries to lead a Gopher secondary that ranked 5th in the Big Ten and 13th nationally in pass defense, and 4th in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally in pass defense efficiency. He led the team in total tackles with 80, and led all Big Ten defensive backs (and ranked 4th nationally) with seven interceptions. No one else in the Big Ten recorded more than three interceptions.

Although he has two years of eligibility left, Winfield is expected to declare for the NFL Draft.