Suffered a knee injury during 2013 spring drills.
2012: Played in nine games on the year, primarily on special teams. Posted five tackles, including three solo stops. Made two solo tackles at linebacker against Buffalo (10-13). Posted a pair of assisted tackles against UMass (11-3). Made one solo stop at Eastern Michigan (11-23).
2011: Played in seven games, including the final six. Primarily saw action on special teams, but did get into several games at linebacker. Saw his first career action versus Kent State (10-8). Recorded two special teams tackles, one each against Ball State (11-15) and Eastern Michigan (11-25). Named the Offensive Work Team Player of the Week following the Kent State (10-8) game.
2010: Redshirted his first season at NIU. Named the Defensive Work Team Player of the Week for the Minnesota game (9-25).
High School: An IHSA honorable mention all-state choice at fullback. Selected to the Daily Herald and Kane County Chronicle all-area teams as a senior. Three-year varsity letterwinner. Recorded 596 yards rushing and six touchdowns while being named Suburban Christian Catholic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 127 carries. On defense, had 263 total tackles with 109 solo, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, eight pass deflections, and two interceptions. Team captain and MVP for the Marmion Academy conference championship team that posted a 9-2 record his senior year. As a junior, rushed for 389 yards on 71 carries for a 5.5-yard average and added 394 yards on 80 carries with five touchdowns his sophomore season. Caught a career-best 10 passes for 127 yards and a score his sophomore year.
Personal: Born Nov. 28, 1991 in Elmhurst, Ill. Son of Erin and Bob Winkel. Majoring in special education.
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