Eric Winston played tight end and defensive end for a Midland Lee High School team that won three Texas state championships in his four years at the school. He was a two-time all-state player who totaled 33 receptions for 525 yards and 4 touchdowns his final two years. After his senior year in high school, Winston was widely considered to be the #2 tight end prospect in the nation. He chose the University of Miami over Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU. Winston arrived at Miami as a 255 pound tight end who served as a blocking tight end in multiple tight end formations and as the primary backup to current Cleveland Brown Kellen Winslow, totaling 2 catches for 13 yards as a freshman. By his sophomore year, Winston was up to 280 pounds. He decided to move to the offensive line and by the beginning of his sophomore year, he had earned a spot as a starter on the Hurricanes offensive front. By the end of that season Winston was Miami’s best lineman and appeared to be a player who could be a high first round pick if he opted to leave college after his junior year. Four games into his junior season, Winston tore three ligaments in his left knee early in the fourth quarter against Georgia Tech, effectively ending his season as well as his status as a top NFL draft prospect. After surgery and months of rehab, Winston was back in the Hurricanes’ starting lineup at the beginning of the 2005 season, protecting their quarterback’s blindside. He appears to be healthy and is once again on track to become a top tackle prospect in the 2006 NFL draft.

Eric Winston has good size and is one of the most athletic offensive tackles in the nation. He is an excellent pass-protector who relies on intelligence and technique to defeat defenders rather than overpowering them. He is an extremely bright player who finished his degree in International Finance and Marketing in just three years and he is currently working on a second degree in Political Science. He has the athleticism and quick feet scouts look for in a franchise left tackle. He does a good job of getting to the second level in the running game and can pull as well as any tackle in the nation. He can be overpowered by some stronger defensive linemen. He needs to increase his size and strength and he does have a good frame to work with. He leads by example with an outstanding work ethic and serves as a vocal leader in the locker room as well. Some may question Winston’s durability due to the knee injury he sustained as a junior; however he did make a full recovery and seems to be back to his old self once again. Eric Winston has just a little over two years of playing experience as a tackle so he is still learning the position, however he has a much if not more upside than any offensive lineman and should be one of the top tackles selected in the 2006 NFL draft.