Antoine Winfield Jr Named 1st-Team All-B1G/DB of Year, Carter Coughlin 2nd-Team

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Aug 31, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. (11) celebrates after making a tackle for loss in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at TCF Bank Stadium. Photo: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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What a season for Antoine Winfield Jr…. He tied the school record for interceptions with 7 and so many of them were in the biggest moments. He’s also racked up 83 tackles, 3 sacks, 3.5 TFL, and 3 forced fumbles. The guy has been a monster all season and I can’t write anything about him without crying inside (while smiling on the outside) at the thought of him leaving with two seasons remaining of eligibility… Just a redshirt Sophomore, Antoine Winfield Jr will likely leave after this season. The coaching staff has openly been recruiting him to stay, which gives me a glimmer of hope that he might. But with his injury history plus a historic season in 2019, I think it would be his best decision, as an outsider looking in, to go to the NFL Draft.

We will just have to wait and see. Here is what Winfield had to say about the honor of being named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year (via GopherSports.com)

“It’s humbling to receive this recognition, but I could not have done it without my teammates and coaches,” said Winfield. “They have been with me every day and pushing me to change my best and become the best player I could be, so I am definitely looking forward to sharing this award with them.”

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On tope of being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Antoine Winfield Jr. was also named 1st Team All-Big Ten. He was the only defensive player to do so. Carter Coughlin was named to the 2nd Team. It’s really good to see Carter get some recognition for all of the havoc he caused opposing offenses. Finishing with just 4.5 sacks, 44 tackles, 9.5 TFL, and 2 forced fumbles, Carter’s stats don’t speak for the disruption he caused on the field. I’m glad those voting noticed.

Winfield Jr. and Coughlin were the only two who made the All-Big Ten team but they weren’t the only ones to have their names shouted out today. The Gophers also received 5 honorable mentions on the defensive side and PJ Fleck won Big Ten Coach of the Year. Winston Delattiboudere was also recieved the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions – Gophers

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The offensive award winners and All-Big Ten players will be named tomorrow, if you were wondering why you weren’t hearing about Rashod Bateman, Tanner Morgan, or Tyler Johnson. Those names will certainly be there tomorrow.

Until then, RTB, Ski-U-Mah, Go Gophers.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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