Winston graduated from Louisiana State University, where he was a standout guard and linebacker in the 10–7 LSU victory over arch-rival Ole Miss in 1961.
[1] Following the season he was named a unanimous All-American as LSU finished as Southeastern Conference co-champions with Alabama.
LSU finished the regular season 9-1 and ranked fourth in the polls, then defeated Colorado 25–7 in the Orange Bowl.
Winston's counterpart at right (weak side) linebacker, Wally Hilgenberg, also played in all four Viking Super Bowls, as did fellow defenders Carl Eller, Alan Page, Jim Marshall and Paul Krause.
In a game against the Miami Dolphins in 1972, fullback Larry Csonka circled out into the flat to catch a pass.