The Copenhagen Towers announced earlier this month the signing of running back Dayton Winn for the 2017 season.
The 5’9″, 170 lb native of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, was a four-year starter at Hendrix College, (Div. III) in Conway, Arkansas. where he amassed 6,231 yards and 74 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He also had 2,066 yards and three touchdowns as a kick and punt returner. He was named the Southern Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year in 2015.
Winn will make his debut in a Towers uniform on June 4 against the Copenhagen Tomahawks.
Towers head coach Peter Herbild:
“Dayton is a fast and talented player who can contribute both as a RB and WR. He will also play a key role in special teams as a returner. He has had some very productive years in college so we look forward to seeing what he can contribute on the team.”
Photo: HC Sports Info
Winn is excited to be in Denmark according to the club’s website:
“Head Coach Peter Herbild and Sports Manager Anders Skovgren have played a big part in my decision. They have helped me see what I can get out of playing for the Towers and that will be an exciting experience. I’m looking forward to working with these two excellent men.”
Despite his success, Winn remains humble as shown in an interview with Brian Lester of D3football.com:
D3football.com: You had a lot of success last year at Hendrix. What are your thoughts on the way you played?
Dayton Winn: No one player can make plays by himself. It takes a team effort. You need to have blockers to return kicks and punts and you need your offensive line to clear the way for you to pick up yards. I give the credit to my teammates for my success.
D3: You are one of the most versatile players in college football. What do you feel has helped make you so versatile?
DW: I was a multi-sport athlete growing up. I learned a lot of different skills and felt like I’m a better athlete because of it. I got a lot of my competitiveness from racing dirt bikes for a couple of years as a kid.
D3: What was racing dirt bikes like?
DW: It was so much fun. I didn’t do it too long and stopped once I started playing football. But I loved doing it and enjoyed my experience with it.
D3: What improvements have you focused on in the offseason?
DW: I’m one of the smallest players on the field so I worked a lot on bulking up and gaining weight, but did it where I could also keep my speed and agility. I’m hoping that maybe I won’t be the smallest guy this year.
D3: Your team made the playoffs last season. What was that experience like for you?
DW: It was crazy. The atmosphere had a different feel to it and there was a different feeling to playing in a game like that because you are going up against a great opponent. It would have been great to win it but the experience was a lot of fun.
D3: What do you feel is your biggest strength as a player?
DW: I bring leadership to our team because I’m one of the players who has been here for four years. I try to be that player that younger teammates can look to and I also know my team counts on me to make big plays.
Check out Dayton Winn’s highlights
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