Juwann Winfree Bio
Juwann Winfree (born September 4, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays in the National Football League. Born in Manhattan, New York, he attended the Academies at Englewood in New Jersey before embarking on a college football journey that took him from the University of Maryland to Coffeyville Community College and eventually to the University of Colorado. The Denver Broncos selected Winfree in the sixth round (187th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, marking his transition from collegiate athlete to professional football player. Throughout his NFL career, Winfree has been a member of multiple organizations, including the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts, while continuing to develop as a professional wide receiver.
Early Life and Background
Juwann Winfree was born on September 4, 1996, in Manhattan, New York, but he grew up in Englewood, New Jersey. He attended the Academies at Englewood, a magnet sibling school to Dwight Morrow High School, where he developed his skills as a football player during his formative high school years. His athletic ability and dedication to the sport set the foundation for his future collegiate career.
Winfree received significant recognition from his hometown community following his high school graduation. On June 23, 2019, during an event in Englewood, Mayor Michael Wildes presented Winfree with a Key to the City of Englewood. This honor came at a meaningful time, just before Winfree began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos. The event also marked the announcement of the Team Winfree Youth Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by Winfree’s father to host low-cost camps for football, soccer, and basketball, as well as leadership conferences for youth in the area.
Path to American Football
Winfree began his collegiate football career at the University of Maryland in 2014. As a freshman during the 2014 season, he demonstrated his receiving capabilities by recording 158 receiving yards on 6 receptions. However, his time at Maryland was cut short due to a code of conduct violation, which resulted in his dismissal from the program. This setback led Winfree to pursue opportunities at the junior college level.
Following his departure from Maryland, Winfree was admitted to Coffeyville Community College for the 2015 season, where he continued to develop his skills and work toward returning to a four-year football program. His performance at the junior college level provided him with a pathway back to major college football. After completing his year at Coffeyville, Winfree transferred to the University of Colorado to play for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Juwann Winfree Career
College Career at Colorado (2016–2018)
Winfree joined the University of Colorado Buffaloes in 2016 with high expectations, but his progression faced a significant obstacle. He did not play during the 2016 season after suffering a torn ACL during off-season workouts prior to his arrival on campus. This injury required a substantial recovery period and delayed his collegiate debut.
In 2017, Winfree made his first NCAA appearance in three years, marking a successful return to competitive football. He finished the season with 325 receiving yards, demonstrating his ability to contribute at the Division I level. The 2018 season proved challenging as Winfree battled injuries throughout the year, but he managed to record 324 receiving yards, showing resilience and determination despite the setbacks.
Denver Broncos (2019)
The Denver Broncos selected Juwann Winfree in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. This selection represented the culmination of his journey through multiple college programs and his recovery from injury. Winfree joined the Broncos organization as a developmental wide receiver prospect.
During his rookie season with the Broncos, Winfree appeared in three games before being placed on injured reserve on December 14, 2019. His initial NFL experience was limited due to injury, but he gained valuable exposure to professional football operations and the demands of the NFL level. On September 5, 2020, the Broncos waived Winfree, ending his tenure with the organization that drafted him.
Green Bay Packers (2020–2022)
Winfree signed with the Green Bay Packers practice squad on October 1, 2020, beginning a two-year association with the franchise. The Packers utilized the practice squad elevation rule multiple times during the 2020 season, calling Winfree up for games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions in Weeks 10 and 14, before returning him to the practice squad after each appearance.
On January 26, 2021, Winfree signed a reserves/futures contract with the Packers, securing his place on the team for the 2021 season. Throughout the 2021 season, Winfree continued to bounce between the practice squad and active roster. His most significant moment came during a Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals on October 28, 2021, when he recorded his first NFL catch, a 12-yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Winfree finished that game with four receptions for 30 yards. The Packers signed him to their active roster on December 14, 2021.
The 2022 season saw Winfree remain with the Packers organization through multiple practice squad elevations. His practice squad contract expired on January 8, 2023, following the conclusion of the season, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Indianapolis Colts (2023–2024)
On May 9, 2023, Winfree signed with the Indianapolis Colts, joining his third NFL organization. He began the 2023 season with the Colts but was released on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad. Winfree was promoted to the active roster on October 17, 2023, continuing his journey in the NFL. He was waived on December 9 but was signed back to the practice squad on December 19 and promoted to the active roster again on January 2, 2024.
The 2024 season began with Winfree on the Colts roster, but he was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, ending his season prematurely. His tenure with the Colts demonstrated the challenging nature of maintaining a roster spot in the NFL as a depth receiver.
Houston Texans (2025)
On August 19, 2025, Winfree signed with the Houston Texans, joining his fourth NFL franchise. This move represented a new chapter in his professional career as he sought to continue his NFL journey with a different organization. He was released by the Texans on September 1, 2025, following roster adjustments.
Career Statistics and Performance
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2019 to 2025, Winfree has appeared in games with multiple organizations while primarily serving as a depth receiver on practice squads and active rosters. His career NFL statistics include 9 receptions for 75 receiving yards. The majority of his production came during the 2021 season with the Green Bay Packers, where he recorded his first NFL catch and established single-season career highs in multiple statistical categories.
Juwann Winfree Career Highlights
Winfree’s professional football career has been characterized by perseverance through roster transitions and injury setbacks. His journey from a high school prospect in New Jersey to a drafted NFL player demonstrates his dedication to the sport despite obstacles along the way.
NFL Career Milestones
The most significant milestone in Winfree’s professional career occurred on October 28, 2021, when he recorded his first NFL reception during a game against the Arizona Cardinals while playing for the Green Bay Packers. Catching a 12-yard pass from future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Winfree finished that game with four receptions for 30 yards. This performance provided a glimpse of his potential at the professional level. His journey through multiple organizations, including the Broncos, Packers, Colts, and Texans, has required adaptability and resilience as he worked to establish himself in the league.
Collegiate Achievements
At the collegiate level, Winfree demonstrated his receiving abilities across three programs. His freshman season at Maryland showed promise with 158 receiving yards on 6 catches. Despite the setback that led to his transfer, he bounced back at Colorado with consistent production, recording 325 receiving yards in 2017 and 324 receiving yards in an injury-shortened 2018 season. These performances ultimately led to his selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
| Competition Level | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season | 9 | 75 |
Juwann Winfree Family and Personal Life
Family Background and Foundation Work
Juwann Winfree comes from a family that has shown commitment to community service and youth development. His father played a significant role in establishing the Team Winfree Youth Foundation, which was announced during the Key to the City ceremony in Englewood on June 23, 2019. The foundation’s mission focuses on hosting low-cost camps for football, soccer, and basketball, as well as organizing leadership conferences for area youth. This initiative reflects the family’s desire to give back to the Englewood community that supported Winfree during his formative years.
Personal Life
Winfree maintains a presence on social media platforms, connecting with fans through his official accounts. His professional football career has taken him across the country, from his New Jersey upbringing to playing for teams in Denver, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Houston, and beyond. The challenges he has faced, including injuries and roster changes, have shaped his approach to the game and his determination to succeed at the highest level of football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Winfree as he joined the Houston Texans organization in August. His brief tenure with the Texans ended with his release on September 1, 2025, during roster adjustments. Following this release, Winfree continued his football career by signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League on February 10, 2026, expanding his professional opportunities beyond the NFL.
Winfree’s journey through multiple leagues and organizations demonstrates the competitive nature of professional football and the challenges that players face in maintaining consistent roster spots. His ability to adapt and continue pursuing opportunities at different levels reflects his dedication to the sport. As he embarks on this new chapter with the Roughriders, Winfree brings the experience of playing in the NFL alongside notable quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers, a level of experience that could benefit him in the Canadian Football League environment.