Top 2025 DB, cousin of Penn State football defender visits new Big Ten foe

The 2025 recruiting calendar is now in full swing, with over 30 prospects visiting Happy Valley last weekend. But across the country, one of the newest additions to the Big Ten had a successful visit with a top Penn State football target. On Saturday, Kainoa Winston, highly-touted 2025 safety and cousin of Nittany Lions starting defensive back KJ Winston, took his first trip to Oregon. The Washington, DC, prospect left Eugene with another visit with Dan Lanning and Ducks locked in for this summer.

Kainoa Winston takes first visit to Big Ten foe Oregon

Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston is already one of the top prospects in the 2025 recruiting cycle. The 5-10, 184-pound defender is DC’s top recruit, the nation’s fourth-best safety, and the No. 35 overall player in the class, per 247Sports. A four-star, Winston holds 28 offers to date, 26 of which are from power conference programs.

Winston quickly emerged as a top target for Penn State football, not only because of his close proximity to Happy Valley, but also due to his ties to the Nittany Lions program. In addition to being the cousin of starting Penn State safety KJ Winston, the 2025 DB also attends the same high school as potential top-10 NFL Draft pick Olu Fashanu.

But last weekend, it was another Big Ten program that was making a push for the Penn State target. On Saturday, Kainoa Winston made the cross-country trek to Eugene for his first visit with the Oregon Ducks.

🦆🦆 pic.twitter.com/7Y3uQbqyeS

— Kelvin Kainoa Winston (@KainoaWinston) March 18, 2024

The visit appears to have been a success, as Winston quickly set up an official visit with Oregon for June 14-16. He last visited Penn State for January 20’s junior day. He is expected to also take an official visit with the Nittany Lions this June.

#ScoDucks We Locked In!! 🦆 pic.twitter.com/OrdRL8FhvP

— Kelvin Kainoa Winston (@KainoaWinston) March 18, 2024

Who are the top competitors to Penn State football in Winston’s recruitment?

While Winston’s relation to KJ Winston and the Penn State football program should benefit the Nittany Lions, a commitment from the top 2025 safety is by no means a lock.

As of right now, the main competitor to Penn State appears to be North Carolina. Winston has taken three trips to Chapel Hill thus far, with an official visit scheduled for June 20.

Winston is also expected to visit Ohio State this coming weekend.

Penn State football currently has the No. 5 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle, according to 247Sports. The Nittany Lions have the second-best class in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State. Oregon slots in fourth at the moment, but will undoubtedly contend for the conference’s top class come December.

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