Winston Eubanks
Wide Receiver / Shippensburg
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Winston Eubanks: 6’0 3/4, weight is 188 and 4.45 unofficially.
Alex Khvatov: How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Winston Eubanks: Currently, my uncle has a gym. I do the weightlifting program there. I also do track workouts.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from Shippensburg this upcoming season?
Winston Eubanks: Expect a young and hungry team. We made lots of mistakes last year. We had a rough season. We have experienced adversity. We have some transfers who are ready to compete for some spots.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Winston Eubanks: I was on a freshman basketball team. I also played rugby and ran track. I was all-state in rugby. You have to be a different animal to play rugby. It is a grown man sport. I played rugby my sophomore and a little bit of junior year. Then I just focused on track and football. I was a sprinter. I ran 200m, 4x100m and 4x200m. I set a 200m school record. I ran a 22.20. I qualified for state in 200m and 100m. Our relay team in 4x100m was ranked the No.1. We placed fourth in state competition in the 4x100m my senior year. We lost an anchor leg during the relay due to an injury. We ran the prelims and the semis. We didn’t place in the final. I was hoping to get a medal.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Winston Eubanks: I just played WR. During my freshman year, I played CB.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Winston Eubanks: I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I got my first start as a junior on varsity. I was a late bloomer and didn’t draw that much attention. I went to a couple of camps. Monmouth and Wagner showed interest. I had a kick return for a TD and over 100 yards the first game of my senior year. Then I dislocated my elbow and missed the entire regular season. I had nerve damage. I feared that I might not play again that season, but I came back in the playoffs. We won the Philadelphia league championship in 2015. We won district and lost to Parkland high school in the semis.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Shippensburg?
Winston Eubanks: When we lost to Parkland, WR coach from Shippensburg was there. He showed interest in me, but I wanted to go D-I. Following the season, it was already mid-January, and I had no offers. I decided to go to D-II. PSAC was the best place to go. They sent guys to the NFL. Shippensburg was the right fit for me. They threw the ball a lot. Their head coach believed in me.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall career?
Winston Eubanks: I have accomplished a lot. I made Hero Sports All-American team as a freshman. I made All-PSAC East division team as a freshman. I was the PSAC rookie of the year. I have made the all-conference team three straight years. As a redshirt freshman, I led the country in yards per catch. I might be third or fourth all-time at the school in TD receptions and reception yards. We had one WR here Trevor Harman who set the record with 44 career TD’s. He had 22 TD’s one year. He got his shot with the Cardinals. The 2017 year was our best season. We went 10-2 and lost in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Winston Eubanks: My speed is my biggest strength. I have a track background. My route running. I am a one cut guy. I don’t juke defenders after the catch. I read the defensive coverage well. I approach the game like a QB. I watch a lot of film.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Winston Eubanks: My 50-50 ball. I definitely need to improve on it. My route running is good, but I need to be smoother out of my breaks. I don’t need to do it at this level because I can usually beat guys with my speed.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Winston Eubanks: Our team win in 2017 when we beat Kutztown. It was their homecoming game. They have become our rival. In 2018, when we beat IUP. There was an article published that IUP is ready to go to the playoffs. They had to beat us and move to the playoffs. We beat them at their home field and knocked them out of the playoffs. It was the first time we beat them in 23 years.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Winston Eubanks: Good coaches are always there for you, even when you lose. We started the season 0-3, but our coaches came to work and pushed us like we were undefeated. A lot of teams might have given up. They pushed us every day to overcome adversity.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Winston Eubanks: I am from Philadelphia, I bleed green. It is my favorite team.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Winston Eubanks: I love watching Odell Beckham. He might be a bit immature, but he has fun. He plays with emotion and plays loose. He plays backyard football. He wants to win and cares about the game.
Alex Khvatov: Which WR do you try to model your game after?
Winston Eubanks: It is a combination of Stefon Diggs because he is a savvy route runner. Catching the ball like Julio (Jones) and get swag like Odell (Beckham). I try to incorporate all of those into my game.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Winston Eubanks: David Balint, Charles Headen, Trey Paul, Cameron Tinner, Chris Harootunian, Markes Cruz, Michael Banks, Tyler Simon, and John Chaney.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Winston Eubanks: QB Roland Rivers from Slippery Rock. He knows how to throw the ball into a perfect spot. This coronavirus has messed him up. He was a Harlon Hill winner. He didn’t get a shot in the NFL.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a WR?
Winston Eubanks: Route running is the key to our game. 4.5 or 4.6 guys get open in the NFL because they run precise routes and create space.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Winston Eubanks: I love the game day environment and the grind. I disliked practice in the beginning and didn’t see the reason in it. Then I saw results from practice. The reward is the grind you put in at practice.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Winston Eubanks: I read a little bit and watch TV. I am boring. I am all about football. I watch a lot of film.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Winston Eubanks: I was named captain this past year. Leader is someone who can stand out at the front. I have met leaders who scream a lot. Those words mean nothing if there is no substance. As a leader, people are watching your every last move. Leaders always do the right thing and pay attention to details. You have to have action behind those words.
Alex Khvatov: What makes unique?
Winston Eubanks: My ability to connect with everybody. I come from Philadelphia from an African American neighborhood. But I went to a white high school. Everyone came from a different background there. I had to learn how to connect with the guys. We all have similarities. I learned how to talk to people in the real world. Being nice to people can come a long way.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Winston Eubanks: After football, I have two options. I am an exercise science major, and business administration is my minor. I want to go into physical therapy. Get a doctorate and become a physical therapist. I might go back to school, get an MBA and get into the business field. I graduate this fall.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Winston Eubanks: Courageous, humble, passionate, diligent, and disciplined.
