Isaiah Winstead was an absolute stud for the East Carolina Pirates last year.
He caught 88 passes for 1,085 yards and six touchdowns. But the NFL Draft came and he went, and his name was not announced.
Of course, teams end up signing undrafted free agents as soon as the draft officially concludes, so Winstead thought he’d get a deal, but it hadn’t arrived yet.
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East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Isaiah Winstead (11) carries the ball during a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on November 11, 2022 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. (Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Image)
So a seemingly flabbergasted Winstead posted a few highlights on Twitter with a positive message.
«6’4 210 moving like that. No minicamp invitation or UDFA deal. Behind the scenes on what I can do. With 88 catches and 1,100 yards last season… God doesn’t make mistakes, thanks in advance though.» he wrote on Sunday.
Winstead’s highlights are certainly impressive.
His route haul is sharp, his ability to avoid tackles is there, and he included several crazy catches with wild reactions from his teammates.
Fans were quick to tag their favorite teams in the responses, and the San Francisco 49ers must have seen the video, because they signed a contract with him.
Winstead became the last player on the Niners’ 90-player roster.
East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Isaiah Winstead (11) makes a pass during the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama on December 27, 2022. (Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«Thank you GOD! All that matters is opinion! You won’t be sorry! @49ers,» he tweeted Wednesday.
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Niners general manager John Lynch said it wasn’t exactly the video that convinced him to sign Winstead, saying the team’s scouts had been eyeing him for «some time.»
But it was when the video came out that Winstead started «getting a lot of calls.»
Winstead also had interest from the CFL, USFL, and XFL. But then at least six NFL teams called him up. His reported time of 4.70 in the 40 apparently scared off some general managers. But Winstead said his 40-time was consistently close to 4.5 going into the draft.
«I feel like I’m fast enough to play at this level,» Winstead told USA Today. «The 49ers are going to have a dog. I’m going to approach practice every day like I’ve been. It’s not like I’m there to be someone I’m not.»
East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Isaiah Winstead (11) watches the Houston Cougars during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. (James Guillory/USA Today Sports)
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Winstead played at Norfolk State and Toledo for two years each before heading to ECU last season. He was an honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference team. Forty-five of his 88 receptions were for at least 10 yards, and his 6.77 receptions per game were the eighth-most in FBS.
He will report to the Niners’ rookie minicamp on May 12.