TCU football is moving closer to its 2026 season opener against North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland on Aug. 29. As the Countdown to Kickoff continues, we’ll highlight a former Horned Frog whose jersey number coincided with the number of days remaining until the opener. At No. 13 is former TCU linebacker Dee Winters!
Currently a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Winters compiled 246 total tackles, 160 solo stops, 33.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries during his career with TCU. He was named an All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2022 and earned Defensive MVP honors for his efforts in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl win over Michigan. Winters intercepted Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy and returned the ball to the endzone for a touchdown. He played in 48 games over his four seasons with the Horned Frogs.
A Senior Bowl invitee in 2023, Winters was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. Winters has played in 47 NFL games over the last three seasons, totaling 155 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. His career season with the 49ers came in 2025, when he posted 101 total tackles, five pass breakups and his first interception. Winters was traded to the Cowboys over the offseason.