Antoine Winfield Jr. is quite the popular guy these days. On social media, Winfield starred in one of the top highlight clips of college football's opening week. In the Big Ten office, Winfield grabbed the attention of the weekly award presenters, who named him the league's co-special teams player of the week.
And in the Gophers football complex, Winfield has been the subject of a good-natured tug-of-war among coaches.
All of this because of his jaw-dropping 76-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Gophers' season-opening 48-10 victory over New Mexico State. The sophomore defensive back broke five tackles on the play — and broke the spirit of the Aggies — with a combination of power, agility and a sharp stiff-arm to find pay dirt on a play that took almost 21 seconds.
"That's the most spectacular punt return I've ever seen live," said Gophers offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, a 28-year collegiate coaching veteran.
"It's still amazing to see," Winfield said with a big smile on Wednesday, as the Gophers prepared for Saturday night's game against Fresno State. "Still on Cloud Nine. It's a great feeling."
Finally, back on the field
For Winfield, that signature moment was a long time coming and an emotional relief. He was playing for the first time since the fourth game of the 2017 season, when he injured his left hamstring. A lengthy rehabilitation period followed — Winfield originally hurt the hamstring during training camp last year, so the Gophers exercised caution — and he missed the rest of the season.
"I was close [to returning last year], but it was still iffy," said Winfield, who received a medical redshirt that makes him a third-year sophomore. "It wasn't all the way 100 percent. I'm glad I took my time on it."
Though he was itching to get back on the field, Winfield didn't let frustration set in.