Thomas Jefferson grad Chase Winovich goes to Patriots in 3rd round
Thomas Jefferson graduate Chase Winovich, a third-team All-American and first-team Big Ten outside linebacker from Michigan, was drafted by the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the third round (No. 78 overall) on Friday night.
The 6-foot-3, 256-pound Winovich started only one full season at Michigan, but was a factor in 2017 and ‘18, recording a total of 26 ½ tackles for a loss and 10 sacks. He was known for his aggressive style of play. His biography capsule on NFL.com describes him as “a physical edge defender who plays the game like he has zombie blood pumping through his veins.”
Winovich is the first Thomas Jefferson graduate drafted into the NFL since Penn State offensive lineman Tyler Reed, a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2006. Other Thomas Jefferson grads to reach the NFL were offensive lineman Lucas Nix and defensive back Dom DeCicco, both of whom played at Pitt.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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