NASHVILLE – The Titans selected Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. in the third round of Friday night's NFL Draft.

Winston (6-2, 213), selected with the 82^nd overall pick, said he's ready to get to work and prove himself after missing most of the 2024 season with a right knee injury, which impacted his draft status.

"At the end of the day, it would've been that, could've been that," Winston said of potentially going earlier if not for the injury. "But right now I am a Titan, and I am ready to be a great teammate for the Titans and become a leader and earn the respect of my teammates. That's all I am looking forward to.

"I am a Titan, and I plan to be a Titan for life."

Winston played in just three games, with two starts, in 2024 after suffering an ACL injury.

During a conference call with Nashville media, Winston said he's feeling good physically.

"My knee, everything has been looking great," Winston said. "I've been doing rehab, and rehab has been going well. I am on track to even get ahead of what I was doing, as I was able to run by 40 at Pro Day. But everything has been going great, and I am feeling amazing."

Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi said he's excited about Winston, and his potential.

"He is a tough, physical player that probably would've went a little higher in the draft," Borgonzi said. "He had the ACL in September, and we felt comfortable with the doctors that he'd be ready for training camp."

In 2023, Winston started all 13 games at safety and made a team-high 61 tackles (35 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, an interception and five pass breakups. He was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference performance.

The Titans initially held the 35^th pick in the second round, but traded with Seattle for picks 52 and 82 (third round).

The team used the third-round pick on Winston, who hopes to make a difference on his new team.

"Overall, as a player, I am going to go out there and whatever the job is for the team, to put us in the best position, that is what I am going to do, and it doesn't matter what that may be," Winston said. "I am willing to go out there and do it at a high level and no complaints or anything. I am just ready to put my head down and work.

"My big thing coming in is to earn respect. I am going to come in ready to play, on the defensive side, special teams, whatever it may be. I am ready to earn the respect of my teammates, coaches, everybody in the building about how I conduct myself not only as a player, but as a person as well."