Kainoa Winston
S · Sophomore
5'10" · 202 lbs · Defense
Background
- Hometown
- Montgomery Village, Md.
- High school
- Gonzaga
Recruiting
- Rating
- 4-star (0.9508 247 composite)
- National rank
- #96
- Class
- 2025
- Source
- 247 composite
2026 season
No 2026 stats recorded yet.
Season by season
2025tap to read
• Appeared in one game at defensive back; made two tackles to earn his first varsity letter • Named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week for his role in preparing the offense for Washington • Made his collegiate debut and recorded two tackles from the secondary and also played on special teams against Central Michigan (Sept. 13) Prep: • Attended Gonzaga College High School (2025) coached by Randy Trivers • Part of a 7-4 squad his senior year in 2024 • Played on an Eagles team as a junior (2023) that finished 6-5 with a playoff appearance • Team went 10-12 in his first two seasons with two playoff appearances • Also an accomplished track and field athlete, specializing in sprints • Owns the school record in the 55-meter and 200-meter dashes (21.58) and also part of two record-setting relays (4x100 meters, 4x200 meters); New Balance Nationals qualifier Key Statistics: • A three-phase player who also contributed in the return game; registered passes, rushes, and receptions on offense during his career • As a junior in 2023, credited with 32 tackles (16 solo) including one for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble across six games • In 2022, racked up 49 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in eight games Honors and Rankings: • Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars; the No. 110 overall player nationally, the No. 10 safety and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C. • Named a four-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 121 overall player in the nation, the No. 11 safety and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C. • Rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 51 overall player in the country, the No. 4 player in the east, the No. 5 safety nationally and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C. • Rivals.com four-star prospect, the No. 33 safety in the nation and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C. • On3.com four-star consensus prospect, the No. 100 overall player, the No. 10 safety and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C. • On3.com four-star prospect, the No. 67 overall player, the No. 5 safety and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C. • Prepstar ranking of four stars, the No. 112 player in the country • Invited to participate in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl • 2023 All-Metro honorable mention selection • First-team All-WCAC as a junior in 2023 • Second-team All-WCAC as a sophomore in 2022 Personal: • Kainoa Winston was born May 16, 2007 • Son of Kelvin and Nema Winston • Cousin of Kevin Winston Jr., a defensive back for Penn State (2022-present) • Attended the same high school as Evan Link
Official bio
Read full bioHide bio
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 2 - vs. Central Michigan (Sept. 13, 2025)
Solos: 1, 2x - last vs. Central Michigan (Sept. 13, 2025)
Asst: 1 - vs. Central Michigan (Sept. 13, 2025)
• TFLs : none
Sacks: none
Int: none
FR: none
• PBUs : none
Freshman (2025):
• Appeared in one game at defensive back; made two tackles to earn his first varsity letter
• Named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week for his role in preparing the offense for Washington
• Made his collegiate debut and recorded two tackles from the secondary and also played on special teams against Central Michigan (Sept. 13)
Prep:
• Attended Gonzaga College High School (2025) coached by Randy Trivers
• Part of a 7-4 squad his senior year in 2024
• Played on an Eagles team as a junior (2023) that finished 6-5 with a playoff appearance
• Team went 10-12 in his first two seasons with two playoff appearances
• Also an accomplished track and field athlete, specializing in sprints
• Owns the school record in the 55-meter and 200-meter dashes (21.58) and also part of two record-setting relays (4x100 meters, 4x200 meters); New Balance Nationals qualifier
Key Statistics:
• A three-phase player who also contributed in the return game; registered passes, rushes, and receptions on offense during his career
• As a junior in 2023, credited with 32 tackles (16 solo) including one for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble across six games
• In 2022, racked up 49 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in eight games
Honors and Rankings:
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars; the No. 110 overall player nationally, the No. 10 safety and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C.
• Named a four-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 121 overall player in the nation, the No. 11 safety and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C.
• Rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 51 overall player in the country, the No. 4 player in the east, the No. 5 safety nationally and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C.
• Rivals.com four-star prospect, the No. 33 safety in the nation and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C.
• On3.com four-star consensus prospect, the No. 100 overall player, the No. 10 safety and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C.
• On3.com four-star prospect, the No. 67 overall player, the No. 5 safety and the No. 1 player in Washington D.C.
• Prepstar ranking of four stars, the No. 112 player in the country
• Invited to participate in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl
• 2023 All-Metro honorable mention selection
• First-team All-WCAC as a junior in 2023
• Second-team All-WCAC as a sophomore in 2022
Personal:
• Kainoa Winston was born May 16, 2007
• Son of Kelvin and Nema Winston
• Cousin of Kevin Winston Jr., a defensive back for Penn State (2022-present)
• Attended the same high school as Evan Link