Maryland LB Daniel Wingate named to Butkus Award watch list

Maryland junior linebacker Daniel Wingate has been named to the 2025 Butkus Award preseason watch list, the Butkus Foundation announced Wednesday. The award, honoring the nation’s top college linebacker, included Wingate among 51 elite candidates from 39 schools.

A 6-foot-5, 230-pound native of Bowie, Maryland, Wingate had a breakout sophomore campaign in 2024. He ranked third on the Maryland defense with 50 total tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss. He also posted a career-best performance with seven tackles and 2 TFLs against Rutgers.

A three-star prospect out of St. Vincent Pallotti high school, Wingate has appeared in 23 games over his first two seasons for Maryland.

Wingate is emerging as a key defensive playmaker poised to assume a leadership role this season for the Terps. During Big Ten Media Days, Wingate emphasized his motivation to elevate his game while stepping into a leadership role within a retooled defensive unit led by new defensive coordinator Ted Monachino.

“A lot of us are overlooked and not really scouted highly,” said Wingate, “so we have a chip on our shoulder and are ready to show the world what we’ve got.”

The Butkus Award, named for NFL legend Dick Butkus and his iconic No. 51 jersey, will see its semifinalists selected on Nov. 4, finalists on Nov. 25, and the winner announced by Dec. 10, with the presentation scheduled for early 2026 at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium.

Wingate and the Terps kicked off fall camp July 30 and open the 2025 season Aug. 30 at home versus Florida Atlantic.