Interview: Offers Already Coming to 2024 Arkansas OT Vinny Winters
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When covering high school football and how that relates to playing at the next level, words like upside and potential are frequently used. When talking about the trajectory of Class of 2024 offensive lineman Vinny Winters “amazing upside” and “unlimited potential” should be used. The 6-4.5, 305-pound, rising star for Malvern High School got a midseason varsity call up during the 2020 schedule instantly earning a starting spot at left tackle. Performing beyond his years, it had to be humbling for Arkansas defenders being dominated by a freshman.
The play at the blindside for Winters has attracted a collegiate crowd already with three offers dropped. Not fearing competition outside his area, Winters recently competed at a Rivals camp, again, taking on defenders a few years his elder while holding his own.
Interview
Vinny, in more ways than one you did not look like a freshman on the field going against varsity competition during the 2020 season. Being that underclassman, which parts of the game did you have to adapt to in a hurry early to become that dominating left tackle?
One was the snap count, it was different. I had to learn myself too. I was so used to pushing guys around and getting full extension with my arms to blocking guys my size, I had to learn more.
What offensive scheme were you guys running during the season?
A Spread.
How were ends and outside linebackers trying to attack you?
They were trying to go around me. No one was really coming face up with me. They were running around and trying to put a move on me.
Which areas of your pass-pro grew the most?
I have really good feet, they say. We don’t have deep passes or deep drops in our offense. We don’t have the seven-step drop. My pass pro does not have to be that long but I work on my pass pro a lot. Our QB is a dual-threat. If the pressure is coming, he can run.
My strength also grew. In middle school it was easier for me, but I was over my toes too much against the varsity. I was used to full extension; those areas are coming together now. I am learning a lot. My coaches are helping me and taking time out of their day to help me.
How did your run blocking improve overall?
With my run blocking, my hands and using my legs more improved. That will improve this year too. In the coming years, all of it will improve. My down blocking, run blocking, and my vision is all good for my age.
You have quick feet and you get out of your stance in a hurry, what do you feel are some of the other strengths to your game at this point in your high school career?
At this point, my eyes are a strength. I am seeing things before they happen My strength is a strength for me as well.
What are you working on with your technique this spring?
I am trying to get faster moving with the weight I am putting on. I am working on moving better laterally, getting out of my stance faster, and moving the way I want to move. My ankles and hips are somethings I am trying to improve on as well.
Going into the weight room, what lifts are you doing to increase your strength?
Bench, squats, deadlifts, hang cleans – there a lot of things I am working on. We max today on bench.
When you max our, what are you aiming for with the various lifts?
The other day we went 20 pounds over max on bench, I was at 310 or 315. I pushed it well. Today I am trying to get about 320, somewhere around there.
What offseason goals have you set for yourself?
I want to go into the season knowing I am the best that I can be. I want to get better with my bench, squat, and deadlift.
This offseason, are there any camps you have gone to or will go to coming up?
I went to a Rivals camp and to a USA National camp. Coming up I am going to an Arkansas, Bama, and maybe some camps up north, and to Oregon.
How did the Rivals camp go for you?
It went pretty good. I was going up against guys three years older. During my first rep I got my “A” handed to me. After that, I did fine. After first starting off losing, I got my butt handed to me, that humbled me a lot.
Let’s get into recruiting. Which programs that you know of are showing recruiting interest?
Syracuse, Florida, Florida State, Bama, and Clemson.
How many offers do you have?
Three: Arkansas, Arkansas State, and Memphis.
Which of the three were the first to offer you?
Memphis.
Receiving that first offer from Memphis, what was that moment like for you?
I had a basketball game that day, my coach came up to me and told me to call this man. My coach said he had texted me, but I hadn’t seen the text. It was one of their (Memphis) offensive coaches. He said, “I really like you, I like your film, you are dominate. I want to give you your first offer.” I did not believe it. I broke down. I called my family and my school posted it.
Very cool story. Thank you for sharing. Vinny, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you great success this offseason with your workout and with the upcoming football camps.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Winters family; Vinny Winters