Pitt has added another member to the 2016 class, in Juwann Winfree. Winfree had been a highly sought after WR coming out of New Jersey, who chose Maryland in 2014. The very talented receiver showed lots of talent as a freshman, but also had the dreaded “off-the-field” issues.
He was suspended for the final two games of the 2014 season for “violating the school’s student athlete code of conduct.” In June of 2015 he was suspended indefinitely for the same nebulous standards. A little more than a week after the suspension, he left Maryland.
The violations are unknown, but there were never any criminal charges related to it. Additionally,
Two sources familiar with Winfree’s situation said the suspension did not result from a failed drug test. (Multiple failed drug tests have been one reason Maryland athletes have been suspended in the past).
Winfree was rumored to be coming to Pitt as early as that summer. Instead, Pitt and every other school stayed away from Winfree.
That was humbling for the kid, and sent him to junior college for this season. Probably more importantly than his numbers at Coffeyville (which were very good), Winfree kept his nose clean. And publicly, at least, he has learned a bit.
“I was being patient and waiting for an offer, but it didn’t come and that was kind of eye-opening to me, so I told people – my parents and everybody important to me – that I was going to go to junior college and do what I had to do and hopefully an offer would come. But I said I was not going to miss this opportunity because I didn’t work hard enough in the classroom or off the field.
“I feel like I didn’t appreciate what I had before. The troubles I got in, they made me appreciate what I had and take things more seriously. I’m one step away from my goal now, and I see how much harder I have to work.”
In 10 games this fall at Coffeyville, Winfree caught 55 passes for 837 yards and seven touchdowns. Even though Pitt will have a new offensive coordinator this season – a position that has not yet been filled – Winfree is confident that he will fit into the Panthers’ new attack.
“Coach Narduzzi said he plans to bring somebody with similar schemes and concepts. He said he doesn’t want to change up the offense too much.”
If you are surprised that head coach Pat Narduzzi would be willing to take a chance on Winfree, you shouldn’t. D’antonio’s tenure at Michigan State has shown a willingness to take in kids who have screwed up in the past. Narduzzi is doing much the same.
I’m sure the leash is much shorter for Winfree with his past mistakes. But this seems like a relatively low risk for a high reward player. Especially for a position where Pitt will certainly have a need for next year.
