Winovich bringing fight to Penn State
Chase Winovich chose to stay in college to pursue championships and improve his standing for the NFL draft.
No. 5 Michigan seems to have a clear path to a Big Ten title and perhaps the College Football Playoff, while the defensive end appears to be improving his stock among pro scouts. The fifth-year senior also is having a lot of fun along the way, trying to live his life like UFC superstar Conor McGregor, whom he has befriended. “Conor and I have somewhat of a relationship now,” Winovich said Monday. “I met him in New York City. I’ve FaceTimed him twice. He follows me on Twitter. It’s a pretty cool deal. He’s a big brother of mine.” Like McGregor, Winovich has a way with words and an ability to make headlines and stir things up on social media. He’s doing it again leading into Saturday’s game at home against No. 14 Penn State. The Nittany Lions are one of four Big Ten teams that beat the Wolverines in 2017, making their game a stop on what Winovich has called a “revenge tour” this season.
“We knew we had revenge to give out on the people who were kind of bullying us, I’d say, just beating up on us last year,” Winovich said. “They kind of took advantage. We were kind of in an in-between year and something about that gave me a bad taste in my mouth. “I knew me, personally, I wanted our lunch money back and I wanted them to pay interest.”
When asked about collecting interest, Winovich wouldn’t elaborate.
“That’s a baited question,” he said with a grin. “I can’t give that to Penn State.”
The Nittany Lions likely wish Winovich, from Jefferson Hills, Pa., was giving them the every snap energy he provides for one of the nation’s best defences. The Wolverines rank No. 1 in college football in total defence (220 yards a game) and pass defence (122.9 yards per game.) The six-foot-three, 253-pound Winovich has a team-high 11 tackles for a loss and is third on the team with 43 tackles even though teams often run away from him. He may have had his best game against No. 3 Notre Dame, which gave up three tackles for a loss to him in a seven-point win over the Wolverines.