Kellen Winslow Jr.'s 70 career receptions place him sixth on Miami's all-time list for tight ends. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

When you nickname yourself "The Chosen One," as University of Miami tight end Kellen Winslow did earlier this summer, greatness, if not the Heisman Trophy, is expected.

One touchdown and 97 yards through three games probably isn't what Winslow would have "Chosen" for himself, but that is what the junior has produced so far. Granted, he has been draped by defenders, but Winslow's self-anointing has him looking more like the arrogant Jeremy Shockey, who preceded him at Miami, than the sophomore who dazzled NFL scouts last year by catching 11 passes for 122 yards and an acrobatic overtime touchdown in the national championship game.

"I don't think of myself as arrogant, I'm just confident in my abilities," Winslow said. "I just like to have fun. I don't say things to hurt anyone else or to make it sound like I'm better than anyone else. I'm just me. Sometimes, I regret the things I say. Who doesn't? But it's certainly not something I do against anyone else."

At the risk of saying something he might regret, Winslow took time this week to answer questions from the Enquirer's Dustin Dow on topics such as his Hall of Fame father, Kellen Winslow Sr., and the art of punt blocking.

Q: Miami has always been informally known as "Quarterback U." After Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey and now you, should we be calling it "Tight end U?"

A: Actually, if you look at how many players we've produced here at different positions, we could be called "Running back U" or "Defensive back U" or almost any position.

Q: What is the best play you've ever made?

A: That's a tough one. Probably the punt I blocked against Washington in 2001. We recovered it for a touchdown. That was great for me, because it showed that I could play more than just as a receiver. And it really helped us in a big game.

Q: Do you embrace constant comparisons to your father, or has that become a tiresome part of your career?

A: I don't have any problem with that. I mean, I idolize my dad. He's the smartest guy I know. Most of his career was before I was born, so I didn't see much of it myself, but I've heard about him all my life. I like being compared to him, because he's a great friend to me and a great father.

Q: Is your father a professional football role model for you, or are there others whom you look up to or idolized growing up?

A: People seem to have a hard time believing this, but I really wasn't much of a football fan growing up. I mean, I was aware of it, but it wasn't something I thought much about. I mean, my dad's always been about the only real hero I've ever had, and I've always patterned myself after him in everything, not just football.

Q: How much does last season's national championship game serve as motivation for you this year, in that you had a great game individually but still lost as a team? And what role does a national championship play in your decision on whether to return to Miami for your senior year or enter the NFL draft?

A: I think it's a big motivational thing for us. We didn't play our best game, by far, but we still feel we should have won that game. While we've gotten past that, you never get over it. I said before the season that I wouldn't leave here until we win a national championship. I played some in 2001, but I really didn't do much of anything. The same is true for a lot of the guys on this team now. We want to win one for ourselves.

Q: It's obviously an unlikely scenario in which a tight end could win the Heisman Trophy, but do you consider yourself a candidate?

A: I don't really consider myself a Heisman contender. I mean, it's flattering to be mentioned, but the Heisman really isn't a tight end award. It's just too hard for a receiver or tight end to win it.

Winslow Jr. at a glance

Career statistics for Kellen Winslow, a junior tight end:

Year	Rec.	Yds	Avg.	TD
2001	2	34	17.0	0
2002	57*	726	12.7	8
2003	11	97	8.8	1

*Led team