Maryland just got a major boost heading into 2026, as star linebacker Daniel Wingate is officially returning for his senior season. And make no mistake - this is a big-time development for a defense that’s looking to take the next step.
Wingate, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound inside linebacker, was a force in 2025. He led the Terps with 106 tackles, which not only topped the team but also ranked sixth in the Big Ten.
That production earned him All-Big Ten honorable mention honors from both the coaches and the media. He also picked up Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week recognition in Week 4 and landed on the Bednarik Award Watch List, a nod reserved for the nation’s top defenders.
By season’s end, Wingate had piled up 102 total tackles - a slight statistical discrepancy, but either way, the number puts him in elite territory. He became the first Maryland player since Tre Watson in 2018 to notch 100-plus tackles in a single season.
That’s not just a stat - it’s a statement. Wingate didn’t just show up; he made sure you knew he was on the field.
His return headlines a wave of defensive veterans opting to run it back in College Park. Cornerbacks Dontay Joyner and Jamare Glasker are also coming back, along with edge rushers Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart. That kind of continuity - especially on defense - is rare in today’s college football landscape, and it sets the stage for a more experienced, battle-tested unit in 2026.
Wingate’s rise hasn’t been overnight. The former three-star recruit out of Pallotti High School quietly carved out a role over his first two seasons, racking up 57 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss while rotating in at inside linebacker.
But in 2025, the buzz around him turned into production. He stepped into a full-time starting role and wasted no time making an impact.
In four of the first five games, he posted double-digit tackles, including 11 in a statement road win over Wisconsin - a performance that earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.
He was also named to the Butkus Award Watch List, joining the Bednarik list as one of the most recognized linebackers in the country. And now, he’s back to lead the charge again.
Maryland head coach Mike Locksley didn’t hold back when talking about Wingate’s value to the program. After the season-opening win against Florida Atlantic, Locksley offered a rare comparison - and it was a big one.
“Daniel Wingate is a warrior,” Locksley said. “We're very fortunate to have that guy around here.
I hate comparisons, but I was around here for a guy who wore number 42 and played heavy handed and physical in EJ Henderson, one of our most decorated players. And I would say he is in that category because his leadership, he plays tough, he plays hard, he plays smart.
He has a positive impact on our team in all three phases. He's running out covering kicks as a starter.
We're really fortunate to have Daniel as a true junior. I think he's only going to get better, and like I said, I'm looking forward to him having a big year for us.”
That kind of praise doesn’t come lightly. Henderson is a Maryland legend, and while Locksley was careful not to crown Wingate just yet, the fact that he’s even in that conversation tells you everything you need to know about how he’s viewed inside the program.
With Wingate returning to anchor the middle, Maryland’s defense will have a proven leader at the heart of its operation - someone who’s not just putting up numbers, but setting the tone. And if 2025 was any indication, 2026 could be something special for the Terps.