The 2026 football season for theAuburn Tigersis on the horizon. As we anticipate the start of the season, let's introduce you to a key member of the 2026 roster.
Eric Winterslooks to step into a major role in the safety room after some impressive flashes during his freshman campaign on the Plains. Winters saw the field 12 times in 2025, recording multiple tackles in 11 of those games.
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The Enterprise, Alabama native finished his first year at the collegiate level with 33 total tackles, 24 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass deflection, and one sack. It would be the South Alabama game where Winters recorded his season-high five tackles.
As one of the younger guys in the safety room, Winters and fellow sophomore AnQuon Fegans are set to make a strong positional group with their development under defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and safeties coach Tim Banks.
Get to know sophomore safety Eric Winters before the 2026 season by checking out his Auburn football player profile below.
Eric Winters' player profile
Hometown:Enterprise, Alabama
High School:Enterprise High School
Height:6-0
Weight:215
Class:Sophomore
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Eric Winters as a recruit
Recruiting class:2025
Position rank:No. 11
State rank:No. 9
Rating:Four-star
Other schools of interest:Georgia,LSU, and Texas A&M
Eric Winters' career stats
Year
TOT
SOLO
SACK
TFL
PD
2025
33
24
1
2
1
Eric Winters' PFF report card
2025:78.5
Strength:Run defense (92.0 in 2025), touchdowns allowed (zero in 2025)
Photos from Eric Winters' career as an Auburn Tiger
Sep 13, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; South Alabama Jaguars running back Keenan Phillips (21) is tackled by Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, John Reed-Imagn Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Eric Winters #25 of the Auburn Tigers runs during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Eric Winters #25 of the Auburn Tigers during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Deion Burks (4) runs with the ball as Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) chases during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) reacts after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) celebrates after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
(Troy Taormina, Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) celebrates with defensive end Jared Smith (41) after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) reacts after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) reacts after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) reacts after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
Oct 18, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Jason King (25) reaches for the goal line as Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) and linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. (0) tackled him during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Officials ruled that King scored on the play. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, John Reed-Imagn Images)
Auburn safety Eric Winters (25) stops Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) during the fourth quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean, Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Mercer Bears running back Tyrell Coard (25) is tackled by Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) as Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Auburn Tigers lead the Mercer Bears 35-17 at halftime.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Nov 29, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama running back Jam Miller (26) cuts back against Auburn safety Eric Winters (25) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Alabama defeated Auburn 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
(Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News, Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - APRIL 18: KeShaun Singleton #11 of the blue team runs in to Eric Winters #5 of the white team during the first half of the Auburn Spring Football Game at Jordan Hare Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images for ONIT)
(Brandon Sumrall, Getty Images for ONIT)
1/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 13, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; South Alabama Jaguars running back Keenan Phillips (21) is tackled by Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, John Reed-Imagn Images)
1/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 13, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; South Alabama Jaguars running back Keenan Phillips (21) is tackled by Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, John Reed-Imagn Images)
2/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Eric Winters #25 of the Auburn Tigers runs during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
3/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Eric Winters #25 of the Auburn Tigers during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
4/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Deion Burks (4) runs with the ball as Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) chases during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
5/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) reacts after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
6/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) celebrates after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
(Troy Taormina, Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
7/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) celebrates with defensive end Jared Smith (41) after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
8/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) reacts after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
9/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) reacts after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
10/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) reacts after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
11/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Oct 18, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Jason King (25) reaches for the goal line as Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) and linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. (0) tackled him during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Officials ruled that King scored on the play. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, John Reed-Imagn Images)
12/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Auburn safety Eric Winters (25) stops Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) during the fourth quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean, Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
13/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Mercer Bears running back Tyrell Coard (25) is tackled by Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) as Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Auburn Tigers lead the Mercer Bears 35-17 at halftime.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
14/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
Nov 29, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama running back Jam Miller (26) cuts back against Auburn safety Eric Winters (25) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Alabama defeated Auburn 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
(Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News, Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
15/15
Photos: Auburn safety Eric Winters as a freshman in 2025
AUBURN, ALABAMA - APRIL 18: KeShaun Singleton #11 of the blue team runs in to Eric Winters #5 of the white team during the first half of the Auburn Spring Football Game at Jordan Hare Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images for ONIT)
(Brandon Sumrall, Getty Images for ONIT)
Check out our other Auburn football player profiles
Auburn Wire is preparing for the 2026 season by previewing several notable players. Check out the 2026 player profile of your favorite player below.
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