The award is named in honor of former Gator and College Football Hall of Famer Danny Wuerffel.
ATLANTA – Florida inside linebacker Derek Wingo earned a spot on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, the Wuerffel Foundation announced Thursday.
Wingo, a junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., played in 12 games and rounded out last season with back-to-back starts at linebacker. The two-time SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll member accomplished single season career-highs in the 2022 campaign with two sacks, eight solo tackles and 24 total tackles. Additionally, Wingo tallied a career-high eight tackles against Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
In February, Wingo was elected to serve as an officer of the Southeastern Conference Student-Athlete Leadership Councils. The SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Councils provide an opportunity for SEC student-athletes to engage with campus leaders and conference office staff. Leadership Councils for football and men’s and women’s basketball, along with the Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SAAC), provide a conduit of communication to the conference office on issues related to student-athlete experience, student-athlete wellness and playing rules.
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.
“The life changing impact of thinking of others before ourselves is so rewarding, and it’s truly
inspiring to see so many student-athletes recognize this, and use their platform for good,” said
Danny Wuerffel. “College Football players across the country are making a difference in their
communities, and I’m excited to see so many incredible stories associated with the 2023
Wuerffel Trophy candidates.”
Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 2, and finalists will be announced on Nov. 28 with the formal announcement of the 2023 recipient is scheduled to be made live on Dec. 7 or 8 during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN.
2023 Florida Football Watch List
Award
Player
Maxwell Award
Ricky Pearsall
Ray Guy Award
Jeremy Crawshaw
Wuerffel Trophy
Derek Wingo
