Just when it looked like the 87-degree heat zapped their energy last Saturday, the Gophers secondary got a jolt from Antoine Winfield Jr. to finish the afternoon football practice strong.
Winfield lunged to deflect passes. He chased ball carriers. His shoulder pads made a popping sound with contact each time he delivered what would be a menacing hit if this weren't a non-tackling drill.
When he wasn't flying around the TCF Bank Stadium field, Winfield pumped up teammates with high-fives and chest bumps. After suffering a season-ending injury each of the past two years, the talented 5-10, 205-pound redshirt sophomore safety is healthy and eager to show he's still among the Big Ten's best defensive backs.
"I'm already excited to get back on the field," said Winfield, whose reps were limited during spring practice. "Being out, it just gives you a different perspective. I'm just super excited to get back out there."
In 2017, Winfield received a medical hardship waiver after playing only four games because of a lingering hamstring injury. The NCAA also granted him another medical waiver and sixth year of eligibility in 2018 after Winfield was limited to four games because of a torn ligament in his left foot.
Winfield had a much stronger mental approach toward his second recovery. Talks with his father, former Vikings standout cornerback Antoine Winfield Sr., also helped him feel much more comfortable during the process.
"It wasn't as hard as going through it the first time," Winfield Jr. said. "I already knew what it was like. I already knew I had to stay grounded and just keep telling myself I was going to come back better than I was before."
It only took two games last season for Winfield to prove he was back to his old self. He scored a touchdown on a 76-yard punt return vs. New Mexico State — the first punt return of his college career — and sealed the victory vs. Fresno State on a late, backward-lunging, end-zone interception.