Derek Wingo a semifinalist for Wuerffel Trophy
Florida Gators junior linebacker Derek Wingo is impressing people for his contributions within the program and in the community. And he’s being recognized for his efforts.
Thursday, the Wuerffel Trophy announced Wingo as one of eight semifinalists for the prestigious annual award. It’s presented to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
The award is named for former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel — an All-American, national champion and Heisman Trophy winner for the Gators.
In August, Wingo was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. Now, he has a chance to win it.
Finalists will be announced on Nov. 28. The winner will be named Dec. 7 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. The presentation of the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy will take place Feb 17, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga.
Per the University of Florida Athletic Association communications department, here are some of Wingo’s achievements ….
-At Florida, Wingo has a 3.79 grade point average in Education Sciences classes and 3.30 GPA overall. “This success has resulted in him being named a member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2021 and 2022,” the release noted.
-Wingo participated in a NASA Micro-Internship with its Launch Services Program. It’s a week-long professional development opportunity for career exploration.
Derek Wingo is contributing to his team — and to his community
-Wingo, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has participated in both GatorMade trips abroad. These allow Gator athletes to perform community service in other countries. On one of those trips, to Greece in 2022, Florida football players performed 40 hours of service and partnered with the non-profit organization Smile of the Child, which helps local orphaned youth.
-During a second GatorMade trip, this time to South Africa, Wingo and his teammates contributed 52 hours of service with Rise Above Development in Lavender Hill Community to, per the UF release, “establish water tanks, irrigation lines and provide meal distribution to disadvantaged youth programs. They also partnered with Project Playground in the Guguelthu Community to help build safe places for children to play.”
-Meanwhile, Wingo also is active locally in the Gainesville community. Stated the release: “Wingo has also participated in countless community service efforts with organizations in and around Gainesville including Bread of the Mighty, the St. Francis House, Education Foundation, YMCA and the Ronald McDonald House.”
-Wingo serves as the 2023 SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council Vice Chair.
-On the field, Wingo has played in 33 of Florida’s last 34 games. He has seven tackles and 1.5 sacks this season.
