Penn State football makes cut for top 50 recruit, cousin of Nittany Lions starting DB

Penn State football is firmly in the mix for one of the top defensive backs in the 2025 recruiting cycle and a prospect who likely has a very good idea of what it’s like to play for the Nittany Lions defense. On Thursday, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions made the top four for Gonzaga (DC) safety Kaiona Winston, cousin of Nittany Lions starting safety KJ Winston. While Winston’s Penn State tie is a plus, the competition is still stiff, with multiple Big Ten programs vying for the four-star prospect.

Penn State football lands in top four of 2025 blue-chip safety Kainoa Winston

Currently, Penn State football does not have a commitment from a prospect inside the 247Sports top 100 for the 2025 recruiting cycle. However, Tom Allen and Anthony Poindexter are positioned to change this on the defensive side of the ball. 

Kainoa Winston, the No. 43 prospect nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings for the 2025 recruiting cycle, included Penn State football among his top four schools on Thursday. Winston’s cousin, KJ Winston, started all 13 games and led the Nittany Lions in tackles at the same position last fall. 

Pro Football Focus has already listed KJ Winston as a top safety for the 2025 NFL Draft, showing the younger Winston the heights possible if he follows in his cousin’s footsteps. 

🚨NEWS🚨 Top-100 safety Kainoa Winston is down to Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon and Penn State, he tells @Hayesfawcett3‼️

Read: https://t.co/M9QazgnxOD pic.twitter.com/dmn5nDxdBI

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 30, 2024

Can Winston’s many ties to Happy Valley outweigh Penn State’s Big Ten rivals in contention?

A four-star recruit, Kainoa Winston attends Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC, the same school as Nittany Lions first-round NFL Draft pick Olu Fashanu. The connection Penn State football has to Gonzaga is another added layer regarding Winston’s recruitment.

However, it’s still a crowded field, even though Winston is down to four schools. Big Ten rival Michigan and conference newcomer Oregon also made the cut for Kainoa Winston, along with North Carolina.

Winston will visit each of his final four schools before committing. Winston is in Ann Arbor this weekend before returning to Happy Valley for his official visit with Penn State football starting June 7. Next week will mark Winston’s fifth visit to Penn State as a recruit. 

On June 14, Winston will return to Oregon for the second time, then travel to North Carolina on June 21.

Reviewing the Nittany Lions’ defensive back depth chart

Penn State football assistants Terry Smith and Anthony Poindexter have done a terrific job developing defensive back talent as of late. In recent years, safeties Jaquan Brisker and Ji’Ayir Brown were selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. 

Additionally, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was drafted with the first pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Porter Jr. was among the top rookie defenders in the entire NFL last year. Then, in 2024, Kalen King and Daequan Hardy were selected by the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, respectively. 

While the past has been certainly good at the position, the future is also bright for Penn State’s defensive backs. KJ Winston has been garnering praise from NFL Draft experts and has high expectations for 2024. Paired with Winston is Jaylen Reed, who was excellent in 2023. 

Behind those two at safety is Zakee Wheatley, who is vying to see the field more in 2024. In addition, Lamont Payne Jr. and DaKaari Nelson are two young safeties looking for playing time. The loss at safety from Alabama transfer King Mack hurts but can be mitigated with the continued success of young talent.

Cornerback Cam Miller took a step up in Penn State’s bowl game due to the opt-outs of Johnny Dixon and Kalen King. Miller could be one of Penn State’s top corners in 2024. Zion Tracy, Jon Mitchell, Elliot Washington II, Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, Audavion Collins, and Kolin Dinkins will all look to play as well. 

Penn State added two cornerbacks in the transfer portal this winter. Florida transfer Jalen Kimber and Georgia transfer AJ Harris have already made an impact with the Nittany Lions throughout the spring, a trend that should continue into the fall.

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