Easop Winston
Current teamColumbus Aviators
Number84
PositionWide receiver
Birth dateDecember 17, 1996 (age 29)
Birth placeSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Height5 ft
Height in11
Weight lbs190
High schoolJunípero Serra
College
Undraftedyear2020
Pastteams
StatusActive
Statseason2023
Statlabel 1Receptions
Statvalue 11
Statlabel 2Receiving yards
Statvalue 25
Statlabel 3Receiving touchdowns
Statlabel 4Return yards
Statvalue 4119
PfrWinsEa00

Easop Winston Jr. (born December 17, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars. He was selected by the Columbus Aviators during the 2026 UFL free agent draft.

Early life

Easop Winston Jr. was born on December 17, 1996, to Easop Winston Sr. and Renee Winston. He grew up In South San Francisco, California and attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, where he played football, basketball, and ran track and field. His senior year, the Padres would be named co-champions of the WCAL with Archbishop Mitty Monarchs and would go on to defeat the Monarchs in the CCS Championship Final to win their first Sectional Open Division Championship in any sport and at any level. He was teammates in football and basketball with NFL player Matt Dickerson.

College career

Winston began his collegiate career at the City College of San Francisco. He grayshirted his first year after enrolling and had 62 receptions for 986 yards and 12 touchdowns the following season. As a sophomore, Winston caught 71 passes for 1,171 yards and 12 touchdowns. Winston committed to play at Washington State for his remaining eligibility over an offer from Eastern Michigan.[1]

Winston redshirted his first season with the Washington State Cougars.[2] As a redshirt junior, he played the "Z" receiver position and had 52 receptions for 654 yards and eight touchdowns.[3] Winston caught 85 passes for 970 yards with 11 touchdowns as a redshirt senior.[4]

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

Winston signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020.[5] He was waived by the Rams during final roster cuts on September 4.[6]

New Orleans Saints

Winston was signed by the New Orleans Saints on May 6, 2021.[7] He was waived on August 31, during final roster cuts and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[8][9] Winston was elevated to the active roster on December 12, for the team's Week 14 game against the New York Jets.[10] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 11, 2022.[11]

On August 15, 2022, Winston was waived by the Saints.[12]

Cleveland Browns

Winston was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns on August 16, 2022.[13] He was waived by the Browns on August 30.[14]

Seattle Seahawks

On October 19, 2022, Winston was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.[15] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2023.[16]

On August 29, 2023, Winston was waived by the Seahawks and re-signed to the practice squad.[17][18] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.[19]

Winston was waived by the Seahawks on August 27, 2024 and re-signed to the practice squad, but was released a few days later.[20][21][22]

New York Jets

On November 26, 2024, Winston was signed to the New York Jets practice squad.[23] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025.[24]

On May 8, 2025, Winston was waived by the Jets.[25]

Ottawa Redblacks

On July 9, 2025, it was announced that Winston had signed with the Ottawa Redblacks to the team's practice roster.[26] He was released on August 31.[27]

Columbus Aviators

On January 14, 2026, Winston was selected by the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League (UFL).[28] He was released during training camp and re-signed on May 5.[29]

References

  1. ^ Loh, Stephanie (December 15, 2016). "Junior college signees Robert Valencia, Easop Winston big late pickups for WSU Cougars". The Seattle Times. Archived December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  2. ^ Lawson, Theo (September 25, 2018). "With four TDs in four games, WR Easop Winston is thriving in first season at Washington State". The Spokesman-Review. Archived December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  3. ^ Jennings, Chantel (January 15, 2019). "First Look: Washington State's 2019 projected offensive, defensive and specialist depth chart". The Athletic. Archived January 20, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  4. ^ Perez, Braulio (March 24, 2020). "Cougar WR Easop Winston's NFL quest gets boost from an old Coug". 247Sports.com. Archived January 20, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  5. ^ Lawson, Theo (April 25, 2020). "Washington State QB Anthony Gordon negotiates UDFA deal with Seahawks; WR Easop Winston Jr. to play for Rams". The Spokesman-Review. Archived December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "Easop Winston: Doesn't make final roster". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. September 4, 2020. Archived December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  7. ^ Just, Amie (May 6, 2021). "Saints to sign former Washington State WR Easop Winston". NOLA.com. Archived December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "Easop Winston: Waived by New Orleans". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. August 31, 2021. Archived December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  9. ^ Johnson, Luke (September 1, 2021). "Saints sign 11 players to their practice squad, including WRs Kawaan Baker and Kevin White". NOLA.com. Archived December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "Saints' Easop Winston: Bumped up from practice squad". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. December 11, 2021. Archived December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  11. ^ "Saints sign eight players to reserve/future contracts". NewOrleansSaints.com. January 11, 2022. Archived January 13, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 15, 2022. Archived August 15, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  13. ^ "Browns claim WR Easop Winston". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 16, 2022. Archived August 16, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  14. ^ Poisal, Anthony (August 30, 2022). "Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2022 season". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived October 6, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  15. ^ "Seahawks Sign WR Easop Winston To Practice Squad". Seahawks.com. Archived October 19, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  16. ^ Boyle, John (January 17, 2023). "Seahawks Sign 10 To Future Contracts". Seahawks.com. Archived January 21, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  17. ^ Boyle, John (August 29, 2023). "Seahawks Make Roster Moves, Establish Initial 2023 53-Man Roster". Seahawks.com. Archived September 2, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  18. ^ Boyle, John (August 30, 2023). "Seahawks Sign 15 To Practice Squad, Including CB Artie Burns". Seahawks.com. Archived September 1, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  19. ^ Boyle, John (January 8, 2024). "Seahawks Sign Seven To Future Contracts". Seahawks.com. Archived January 11, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Boyle, John (August 27, 2024). "Seahawks Make Roster Moves, Establish Initial 2024 53-Man Roster". Seahawks.com. Archived September 5, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  21. ^ Boyle, John (August 28, 2024). "Seahawks Sign 15 To Practice Squad, Including Veteran Cornerback Artie Burns". Seahawks.com. Archived September 11, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  22. ^ Boyle, John (September 2, 2024). "Seahawks Sign QB Jaren Hall To Practice Squad". Seahawks.com. Archived September 2, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  23. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (November 26, 2024). "Jets Sign RB Zonovan Knight and WR Easop Winston Jr. to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com. Archived November 27, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  24. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (January 6, 2025). "Jets Sign 10 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts". NewYorkJets.com. Archived January 9, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  25. ^ Lange, Randy (8 May 2025). "Jets Release Three First-Year Players". NewYorkJets.com. Archived May 9, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  26. ^ "Redblacks Transactions July 9, 2025". Ottawa Redblacks. July 9, 2025. Archived August 11, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  27. ^ "REDBLACKS Transactions: Sept 1". OttawaRedblacks.com. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  28. ^ "Day Two of UFL Draft Introduces New Faces and Ignites the New Era of Spring Football". www.theufl.com. Archived January 17, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  29. ^ Larsen, James. "Taulia Tagovailoa Gone, Elijah Cooks Signed, Amongst UFL Moves". PFNewsroom.com. Retrieved 7 May 2026.