Week 4: Daniel Wingate, Maryland

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photo courtesy maryland athletics

University of Maryland linebacker Daniel Wingate, who played at Pallotti High in Laurel, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after leading the Terrapins to a 27-10 win at Wisconsin as they improved to 4-0 this season.

Wingate, who leads the Big Ten Conference and is fifth nationally with 39 tackles, made 11 tackles with 1 ½ tackles for loss and one sack as Maryland’s defense continued its terrific start to the season. Even after allowing a last-minute touchdown to Wisconsin, Maryland has allowed 10.8 points per game, which ranks 13th nationally.

Wingate, who has made at least 10 tackles in each of the team’s games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents this season, has steadily progressed through Maryland’s program.

He played in 11 games and made seven tackles as a freshman in 2023. Last season, as a sophomore, he played in all 12 games and ranked third on the team with 50 tackles. This season, taking on a more prominent role, Wingate is on pace to eclipse last season’s total in less than half a season.

“His leadership is what really jumps out to me,” Coach Michael Locksley said recently. “He’s been this way since he got here on campus and has played behind some really talented players.”

With several younger players in a starting lineup, Wingate has taken time to show them what to expect and how to handle the transition from high school to college.

“I am going to show them how to compete,” Wingate said in an interview before the season. “I’m going to bring the energy every day.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week honor roll:

  • Ohio RB Sieh Bangura (DeMatha Catholic) rushed 18 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns as the Bobcats beat Gardner-Webb, 52-35.

  • Dickinson RB Cedric Benning III (Episcopal) rushed 22 times for 173 yards and one touchdown as the Red Devils beat Lycoming, 52-29.

  • Gallaudet RB Marcus Brown-Gabriel rushed 26 times for 217 yards and two touchdowns as the Bison beat Averett, 39-30.

  • Morgan State LB Erick Hunter (Westlake) made eight tackles with two tackles for loss as the Bears beat Central State, 27-0.

  • Yale RB Joshua Pitsenberger (Avalon) rushed 26 times for 127 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Holy Cross, 28-10.

  • Howard LB Ja’Quavion Smith made seven tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks, forced a fumble and broke up a pass as the Bison beat Hampton, 34-7, in the P&G Truth and Service Classic.

  • Morehead State WR Ryan Upp (Tuscarora) caught seven passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles beat Kentucky Christian, 45-28.

  • Vanderbilt OL Jordan White (DeMatha Catholic), who last week was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, helped lead the way up front as the Commodores piled up 635 yards of total offense and scored their most points since 1918, beating Georgia State, 70-21.