Two Maryland football defenders tabbed to preseason watch lists

Ahmed Ghafir
25 minutes ago
2 min read

Two more Maryland football defenders were named to watch lists in recent days, including a third national honor for veteran linebacker Daniel Wingate.

Wingate was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List on Friday, the latest accolade after being named to both the Butkus Award and Bronko Nagurski earlier this month. It's a deserving honor for Wingate, who ended his junior season as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection after totaling 102 tackles to become the first Terp to eclipse 100 tackles in a season since Tre Watson in 2018.

Wingate bypassed Power Four interest in the transfer portal to return to Maryland for a fourth season where he's the anchor of the defense, now leading a linebacker room joined by returners CJ Smith and Trey Reddick along with VMI transfer Stephen Dean.

Yet Wingate wasn't the only one ffter freshman edge rusher Zion Elee was also honored twice this week, first after being named to On3's Preseason True Freshman All-American Team before being tabbed to the Shaun Alexander Award Watch List on Tuesday.

This marks the second straight year that Maryland has had an edge rusher in the mix for the award after Zahir Mathis, who is sidelined due to a season-ending leg injury, was one of 14 players tabbed a semifinalist midway through the 2025 season. As for Elee, he's expected to be an integral part of the solution to replace Mathis with the former five-star elevating the pass rush as DD Holmes and Nahsir Taylor as he looks to live up to expectations as an impact recruit.

Per release semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 10, 2026, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 24, 2026. Finalists for the 7th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award will be announced on Dec. 3, 2025, and the winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 30, 2025.

2026 Awards

Shaun Alexander Award: edge Zion Elee

Chuck Bednarik Award: LB Daniel Wingate

Doak Walker Award: RB DeJuan Williams

Ray Guy Award: punter Bryce McFerson

Butkus Award Watch List: LB Daniel Wingate

Wuerffel Trophy Award Watch List: QB Malik Washington

Lou Groza Award: K Sean O’Haire

Rimington Trophy Award: IOL Michael Hershey

John Mackey Award: TE Dorian Fleming

Bronko Nagurski Trophy: LB Daniel Wingate

Shrine Bowl 1000: DB Amari Jackson, DB Jamare Glasker, LB Daniel Wingate, OL Tellek Lockette, OL Isaiah Wright, OL Rahtrel Perry, P Bryce McFerson, DB Lavain Scruggs, TE Dorian Fleming

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