Easop Winston Jr. Bio
Easop Winston Jr. (born December 17, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver who most recently played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars and has spent time on the rosters of multiple NFL teams, including the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets. Winston was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 2020 NFL Draft but went undrafted, signing as a free agent instead.
Early Life and Background
Easop Winston Jr. was born on December 17, 1996, in San Francisco, California, to Easop Winston Sr. and Renee Winston. He grew up in South San Francisco and attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California. During his high school years, Winston was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track and field.
His senior year proved exceptional. The Junípero Serra Padres shared the WCAL championship with the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs and went on to defeat them in the CCS Championship Final, earning the school’s first Sectional Open Division Championship in any sport at any level. Winston was teammates with future NFL player Matt Dickerson during both football and basketball seasons.
Path to American Football
Following high school, Winston began his collegiate career at the City College of San Francisco. He grayshirted during his first year before becoming a standout receiver. In his first active season, he recorded 62 receptions for 986 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he improved to 71 receptions for 1,171 yards and 12 touchdowns, demonstrating his growth as a playmaker.
Winston attracted attention from multiple programs and ultimately chose to continue his career at Washington State University, selecting the Cougars over an offer from Eastern Michigan. He redshirted his first season with Washington State to adjust to the collegiate level before becoming a key contributor.
Easop Winston Jr. Career
College Career at Washington State (2017–2019)
Winston redshirted his initial season with the Washington State Cougars. As a redshirt junior, he served as the starting “Z” receiver and caught 52 passes for 654 yards and eight touchdowns. He continued developing his craft and finished his college career on a high note, recording 85 receptions for 970 yards with 11 touchdowns as a redshirt senior.
His productivity and consistency at Washington State demonstrated his ability to compete at the Division I level and convinced NFL scouts to consider him for the professional ranks, despite going undrafted in 2020.
Los Angeles Rams (2020)
Winston signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020. He competed for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason. However, he was waived during final roster cuts on September 4, 2020, as teams finalized their 53-player rosters.
New Orleans Saints (2021–2022)
Winston joined the New Orleans Saints on May 6, 2021. He was waived during final roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad shortly after. He earned a promotion to the active roster in Week 14, making his NFL debut against the New York Jets. He signed a reserve/future contract in January 2022 to remain with the team. On August 15, 2022, the Saints waived Winston.
Cleveland Browns (2022)
The Cleveland Browns claimed Winston off waivers on August 16, 2022. He spent two weeks with the Browns organization before being waived on August 30, 2022, as teams made final roster decisions.
Seattle Seahawks (2022–2023)
Winston signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on October 19, 2022, joining the divisional rival of his former team. He signed a reserve/future contract in January 2023 to secure his spot for the following season. He was waived during final cuts in August 2023 but re-joined the practice squad. He signed another reserve/future contract in January 2024 before being waived again in August 2024 and briefly returning to the practice squad.
New York Jets (2024)
Winston signed with the New York Jets practice squad on November 26, 2024. He signed a reserve/future contract in January 2025 to remain with the organization. On May 8, 2025, the Jets waived Winston, ending his NFL tenure.
Ottawa Redblacks (2025)
On July 9, 2025, Winston signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League. He joined the team’s practice roster as he adjusted to the Canadian game. He was released by the Redblacks on August 31, 2025.
Easop Winston Jr. Career Statistics
Winston appeared in limited games during his NFL career, primarily contributing on special teams. His professional resume includes time with five different NFL franchises over four seasons, demonstrating the journeyman path common for undrafted players seeking to establish themselves in the league.
NFL Statistics
During his NFL career spanning 2021 to 2024, Winston recorded 1 reception for 5 receiving yards. He also contributed 119 return yards, primarily on special teams coverage units. These modest statistics reflect the challenges faced by undrafted players competing for roster spots on skill positions.
Easop Winston Jr. Family
Family Background
Easop Winston Jr. comes from a supportive family background with strong roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. His father, Easop Winston Sr., and mother, Renee Winston, raised him in South San Francisco and supported his multi-sport athletic pursuits throughout his youth. His athletic ability was evident early, excelling in football, basketball, and track and field during his high school years.
Personal Life
Winston has maintained a private personal life while pursuing his professional football career. His journey through multiple NFL and CFL organizations reflects his determination to continue playing at the highest possible level. He continues to engage with fans through social media platforms while focusing on his athletic career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for Winston as he moved from the NFL to the Canadian Football League. Joining the Ottawa Redblacks practice roster in July 2025 represented an opportunity to continue his professional playing career in a different football environment. The CFL presents unique rules and field dimensions that require adjustment for American-trained players.
Winston’s tenure with the Redblacks concluded at the end of August 2025, making him available for other opportunities. His ability to play multiple receiver positions and contribute on special teams provides value to teams seeking experienced depth players.
Looking ahead, Winston remains a viable candidate for professional football rosters in both the NFL and CFL. His experience spanning six organizations demonstrates his ability to learn new systems quickly and contribute when called upon. Teams value his professionalism and versatility as he continues his football career beyond college.