Eric Winters came to Auburn as one of the most versatile prospects in the country. He was listed as an athlete because he could legitimately make plays at all three levels on the defensive side of the football at Enterprise High School.
It did not take long for Winters to make an impact for the Tigers after signing with Auburn. He played in all 12 games last season as a freshman for the Tigers and started in one game. He finished the 2025 season with 33 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and one pass deflection.
Alabama football's safeties coach Tim Banks talked to reporters Tuesday, and Winters was the first player he highlighted.
"Eric Winters has done a tremendous job," Banks told reporters. "We're playing him all over the field. He's been awesome."
Banks has noticed Winters becoming a more vocal leader in fall camp.
"I don't know if Eric's a natural, rah-rah type of guy," Banks told Touchdown Alabama. "It's a lot of, you know, see what I do, not what I say, but he's starting to be a little bit more vocal, and he's a big kid. He'll be one of the bigger safeties in the country, and he's playing that way. He's playing with some violence. He's a lot of slot blocking. He should be a mismatch for us, and you're starting to see that. I'm excited for him. You know, as I said, we're not a finished product by any stretch, but at the end of the day, I can see those guys starting to."
Winters is expected to be a key member of the Tide's defense.
