Colorado Buffaloes junior wide receiver Juwann Winfree is out for the 2016 season with a torn ACL. Winfree was injured during practice one-on-one drills and came down awkwardly, hyper-extending his leg.
The 6-foot-3, 205 pound Coffeyville C.C. (Coffeyville, KS) transfer was expected to be a starter this season alongside the receiver corps of Shay Fields and Devin Ross. Winfree was expected to make a tremendous impact for the Buffs offense and provide another deep-threat for quarterback Sefo Liufau.
He had an outstanding freshman season at Maryland before transferring to the JUCO level and announced his commitment to CU on signing day in February. He gathered 55 receptions for 837 yards and seven touchdowns during his sophomore campaign.
According to CU's athletic department, team physicians examined Winfree twice and determined the tear would require surgery, eventually ruling him out for the 2016 season.
Head coach Mike MacIntyre released a statement saying, "We all really feel for Juwann, he is a phenomenal young man and has fit in really well on our team," MacIntyre said. "Unfortunately this is what can happen in football. But Juwann is a very positive young man and no doubt will work hard in his rehabilitation and will be back for 2017."
Despite the injury, Winfree will still have two years of eligibility for 2017-18.