Fourth (Year) and Goal

AFTER THE FINAL WHISTLE of last football season, 10,500 players across NCAA divisions left the field and entered the transfer portal. The database allows student-athletes to shop around for the school that fits them best athletically, academically and—thanks to revenue sharing and name, image and likeness deals—financially, but it complicates building stable teams. 

So Terps fans were elated when Maryland football in early January posted this message from the player voted MVP by his teammates: “I’m back.” 

Linebacker Daniel Wingate committed to a rare fourth season at the same school. Looking to build on his breakout junior season, when he recorded 102 tackles and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition, he helped the Terps return 71% of their roster production—second only to Notre Dame. 

“I’m a guy that’s loyal, who sticks with those who were with him in the beginning,” Wingate says. “I know that there’s so much more that we could’ve done than 4-8. It really was motivation for me to come back and be able to go out with a bang with my guys by my side.” 

The Bowie, Md., native is used to defying the odds: When his mom, Erica, was five months pregnant with him, her van veered off Route 202, flipped over and hit a street sign. Mom was only minimally injured, and baby was unharmed. 

“Daniel survived the biggest tumble of his life,” she says. “I think it’s kinda how he got to be who he is today.” 

After backing up the likes of future NFLer Ruben Hyppolite II, Wingate suited up as a full-time starter last year to helm the Terps’ defense—a bright spot amid a frustrating season as it led the Big Ten in forced turnovers. His pick-six against Florida Atlantic opened UMD’s 2025 scoring, and his personal highlight reel only continued after that. 

“Because of the type of year he had,” head coach Michael Locksley says, “I’d be an idiot to not think that someone, somehow, some way wanted to have contact to gauge an interest.” 

Wingate admits he could hear the portal’s call. But after talking with his family and agent, he felt there was unfinished business at Maryland. 

“We have a lot of guys who believe in what’s going on right now,” he says. 

His commitment, along with that of sophomore quarterback Malik Washington, offered stability to young players in the program and kicked off a returnee domino effect, from center Michael Hershey to defensive back Lavain Scruggs to punter Bryce McFerson. 

That’s just the kind of leadership Locksley anticipates expanding in Wingate’s senior season—he’s already been named to the Football Writers Association of America’s watch list for national defensive player of the year. 

“You would expect that he’ll continue the upward trend of being one of the best linebackers not just in the Big Ten, but in the country,” he says.