Florida LB Derek Wingo Earns Spot on Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Florida Gators linebacker Derek Wingo earned a spot on the Danny Wuerffel Trophy Watch List Thursday. The award — named after the former Gators quarterback — is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
Entering his fourth season in orange and blue, Wingo holds high expectations for his impact on and off the field as he nears the highest-volume usage of his career.
The now-junior saw time sparingly on defense throughout his first two seasons at the University of Florida, enduring the growing pains of changing positions from on-ball to off-ball at the collegiate level.
However, in the closing stretch of the 2022 season, a switch flipped for Wingo. His role as a middle linebacker started to click, showing rapid growth in his ability to read and diagnose opposing offenses, apparent in his performances against Vanderbilt and Florida State, specifically.
He finished the year with career highs in tackles (24), tackles for loss (two) and sacks (two), bringing his total to 41 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and one pass breakup in 34 appearances. Most outings came on special teams.
Now, heading into year four in Gainesville, Wingo competes for a starting spot with Ohio State transfer Teradja Mitchell. He's also assumed a crucial leadership position within the Gators' locker room.
Related: Derek Wingo's Unconventional Rise to a Leadership Role at Florida
He's been recognized for that effort, academic accomplishments and community service projects to earn his way onto the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List this preseason.
Wingo joins wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, punter Jeremy Crawshaw and running back Trevor Etienne to grace preseason award watch lists ahead of the Gators 2023 campaign.
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