Florida Gators linebacker Derek Wingo lands on Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Another day, another national watch list selection for Billy Napier and the Gators.
Derek Wingo, a junior linebacker at Florida, was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List on Thursday, the Wuerffel Foundation announced.
During the 2022 season, Wingo appeared in 12 games and started in two of them. He finished with 24 tackles (eight solo) and two sacks, with his career-high eight tackles coming in the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State.
A two-time SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll member, Wingo is also an officer of the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Councils. It provides those SEC student-athletes with the opportunity to engage with campus leaders and conference office staff regarding issues related to playing rules and student-athlete experience and wellness.
Wingo, a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a former top-50 prospect in the 2020 class.
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The background on the Wuerffel Trophy
Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their impact, and inspire greater service in the world. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback, and renowned humanitarian Danny Wuerffel, whose life mission is to inspire greater service in the world. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the Gators’ first National Football Championship as the team’s star quarterback.
The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner set 17 NCAA and Florida records and won a myriad of other awards including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and The William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation’s top scholar-athlete. As a nationally recognized humanitarian, Wuerffel inspires leaders to use their influence to make a positive impact.
On Nov. 2, the semifinalists for the award will be revealed, followed by the finalists on Nov. 28. The formal announcement of the winner will be made on Dec. 7 or 8 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
