Jermaine Wynn Jr.
Wide Receiver / Slippery Rock
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: I am 5’9, in the 185-188 range and my fastest 40 time on laser was a 4.41.
Alex Khvatov: How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: As of right now, I get up in the morning and run a couple of miles around the track. In the evening, I lift. I haven’t been able to access the gym. I have two center blocks, which weigh about 30 pounds and I also use resistance bands.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: My first love was actually baseball. I used to watch 90 games a year. I like the Pirates. After 10th grade, I stopped playing baseball and turned my focus on football. I also love to play basketball.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: Receiver and RB.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: In high school, I played with RB Miles Sanders and Jo-El Shaw. We had a very strong rushing attack. We would run the ball 40 or 50 times a game. It was hard to get stats if you were a receiver. I didn’t get the reps catching the ball. I was also undersized. I was about 160 pounds. Kentucky Christian and Alderson Broaddus were interested.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you go to Alderson Broaddus?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: I took the partial scholarship. I started as a redshirt freshman and decided to transfer after that season.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you decide to transfer to Slippery Rock?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: There were a couple of reasons. Alderson Broaddus was put on probation. They could have lost their accreditation at any time. I decided to come back and be closer to home. Slippery Rock is only a 40-minute drive. They had a winning program and a winning culture. I got my release. I put my film on twitter. Coaches started following me. Slippery Rock coach Razzano sent me a message and got my number. Coach Lutz called me. He showed that they wanted me. I had a couple of high school teammates on the team. They relentlessly recruited me. They put me on partial scholarship. I loved it during the visit. I earned my full scholarship soon after that.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall career at Slippery Rock?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: Transferring to Slippery Rock was the best decision for me. It is a program with players and coaches who always want to get better. They had a couple of seniors in front of me when I first go there. I had to work hard. During my redshirt sophomore year, it was the fifth or sixth game, QB Roland Rivers came in. He won the Harlon Hill award this past year. We lit it up. I had three TD’s on six catches for 120 yards against Edinboro. I started the rest of the season. We won the PSAC West title. We lost in the quarterfinal of the playoffs that year. I had 51 catches for over 700 yards and nine TD’s. Last season, I had the confidence level that I have never had. I trained hard in the offseason. Against Wayne State, I had seven catches for 155 yards and two TD’s. I had my best season. I had 95 catches for 1,339 yards and 15 TD’s. I also had a punt return for the TD. Training paid off. We advanced to the semifinal game in the playoffs. We went 13-0 for the first time ever at Slippery Rock. We had each other’s back. I will always remember this past season. I was a captain my junior year. It was the greatest honors. I was the leader of the team. I will be a captain again this season.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: My biggest strengths are speed and quickness. I can take the top of the defense. I can get separation underneath and on intermediate routes. My ability to return and create splash plays.
Alex Khvatov: Do you take a lot of pride in being that difference maker on special teams?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: I have never thought of the importance of special teams until I got to college. Coach Hull instilled the pride in me when I return punts. Don’t let the ball bounce and make something happen. I returned two punts for the TD and had two called back because of penalties.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: During this offseason, I am working to be more of a student of the game. When we are getting the play call, I need to understand why they are calling this and what coverage the defense is in. I need to have that competitive advantage.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: This past season, I caught 18 catches for 229 yards and two TD’s in a quarterfinal playoff game. I tied the NCAA D-II playoff record for single-game receptions. I also broke the single-game receptions record at Slippery Rock.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: The biggest lesson while at the Rock, the coaches always preach to us to be competitive and never quit. You are never out of the game. You can always make a comeback. We have come back four or five times at Slippery Rock when the coaching staff just told us to believe. That mentality transfers over to the rest of your life.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: I am a die-hard Steelers fan. Everyone in my family roots for Pittsburgh.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: WR Antonio Brown is my favorite receiver. He is a great player on the field. Antwaan Randle-El made me want to be a WR.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: There are two guys on offense. WR Henry Litwin is a beast. I work hard, but his work ethic is great. It rubs off on me. It is kind of a brotherly competition every week. The other WR is Cinque Sweeting. He is the other slot receiver. He gets overshadowed but look at his numbers too. He is so quick and is a great team player. All three of us are looking to get 1,000 yards this season. He was short 150 yards of the century mark this past year. On defense, we have DE Chad Kuhn. His motor never stops. He is relentless in getting after the QB. He had 16 or 17 sacks last season. Safety Dalton Holt will hit you when you are coming on a slant. He is also our best coverage safety. He has a great skillset and has a chance to be an All-American this season.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: WR Marvelle Ross from Notre Dame College. He signed an undrafted contract with the Jaguars. On defense, it was S Lamont McPhatter from Cal U of PA. He was a beast. He was everywhere.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a WR?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: Route running. If you can get in and out of your breaks quickly, you will create separation.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: I enjoy the thrill that it gives you. I take pride in the people watching from the stands. I love the ultimate game atmosphere.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: A leader is a guy, no matter what situation or what’s going on, you look at him for hope. He never hangs his head. He leads by example in practice. He can also be a guy that can be vocal and create a spark. He can be a little bit of both. If the guys see a leader slacking, they will do the same.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from Slippery Rock this upcoming season?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: Our backup QB Andrew Koester was a starter before Roland Rivers took over. He got injured, but he is looking to start again. We also have a backup QB Noah Grover, who is a transfer from North Dakota. He has a great arm. He is 6’1, but he has great leadership traits. He will be a battle for the QB spot. The expectations are at an all-time high. We got a great recruiting class. We got a RB, who was one of the top players in Florida, in Chris D’Or. We are improving our program. We got a nutrition program that will help take us to the next step. The first goal was to win the PSAC. The next goal was to win the region. Now we have to win the National Championship. We were so close last year. It just left a bitter taste in our mouths.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: During Covid-19, I learned how to change my oil in a car for the first time. I am working on cars. I love playing Madden, Call of Duty and 2K. I also enjoy cooking. My uncle buys steaks, and I put it on the grill. I am a big fan of making shrimp kebabs.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: I am graduating in December with a degree in marketing and minor in business management. I am outspoken. I like to talk to people. There is a job demand for marketing. After football, I want to get into sports marketing or the business aspect of it.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Jermaine Wynn Jr: Leader, passionate, outspoken, fast, and grinder.
