Name: Winston DeLattiboudere III
School: Minnesota
Position: EDGE/OLB
Height: 6’2 1/2″
Weight: 255
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
The goals I set were more based around my team rather than myself. I aimed to help lead one of the most disruptive defenses in the Big ten and also in the country, so we could make a statement every Saturday and propel the University of Minnesota into conversations for Big Ten titles in the years to come. I ended up winning Academic All Big Ten honors, Big Ten Sportsmanship award honors, and our Teams Tony Dungy community service award after being on the Wuerffel trophy watchlist. When you have Team success Individual success follows.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
I think the type of player my coaches and teammates would portray me as, would be a passionate player. I put my heart, soul and all of my emotions into the game whether I’m in practice, the film room, weight room, or I’m on the field game day ready.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?
When I study film on an opponent I’m looking for tendencies and indicators big or small, this will help me piece together my attack plan for game day. Does he get tired on a certain play in the drive? Where does he put his hands when he starts to become fatigue? Does he give away run or pass? What about his footwork, does he expose special plays in the offense with his body angle?
When studying myself I tend to do the opposite, I look to break those tendencies week in and week out in order to be able to have a fresh start. I might change my stance or the hand I use to throw certain moves, or maybe instead of spinning inside I’ll spin outside. Just small changes in my details to keep opponents guessing.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
I believe my relentless mindset and my attention to detail separates me from other prospects at my position. Often times you will find prospects with the size but they won’t have the overall ability to learn and master a defensive scheme in its entirety and then go out and execute it at a high level. That is what I pride myself in being able to do.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
Right now I’m training at CTSP in Louisville Kentucky to prepare for my Pro day on March 25th, in the interim time between Pro day and Draft day I will be training with Line of Scrimmage in Minneapolis MN.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
I believe that my Grit will be something that stands out on the field right away, but off the field I think that my nature and passion for connectivity in the community will also aid whatever team in relations on the community service front.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL or any other pro leagues?
Whoever decides to take a chance on me will get somebody who is loyal, passionate, hardworking, and intelligent. I’m disgusted with complacency, and only strive to stack one day to be better than the next. I’ll be embracing a mentality that everyday is a one day contract and the previous work I’ve completed has no bearing on the work that is to come.
I’m prepared to play my role in helping a team win championships and Super Bowls, and I’m blessed to have the platform to be able to express this.