DII Report: Breaking down the DII football preseason top 25 — Wingate
Let's go team by team and see why each was considered for the preseason top 25.
It’s hard to believe, ladies and gentlemen, but the DII football season is right around the corner. If you are unaware, not only am I the DII beat reporter for Turner Sports, but I also do the DII football preview for Lindy’s Magazine each year.
While each team gets a little love in the article, I decided to try something new and break down each of the top 25 teams this year in the DII Report.
It is important to note that things change quickly in DII football. The transfer portal rages on, and while several players moved on to the FCS or Division I, there were many key in-division transfers. That being said, the preseason top 25 I had to submit back in April for publication is slightly different. So, I circled back with the coaches, got some updates, and present to you the preseason top 25.
Today we begin with Wingate.
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Wingate football 2023: What to know
The Bulldogs came in at No. 25 in Lindy’s preseason top 25 back in April. Wingate is coming off a magical end run to the 2022 season, but there is certainly some change that leaves some questions to be answered.
For those that don’t remember, Wingate picked up a massive late-season win against Lenoir-Rhyne but lost the following week to Newberry, making the Super Region Two playoff picture a mess. The Bulldogs made it into the bracket, and then the upset train took off, stunning Virginia Union 32-7 on the road and taking down top-seeded Benedict 23-6. The road ended against West Florida, but the magic continued. The Los Angeles Rams selected Ethan Evans in the NFL Draft. Wingate’s punter was just one of two DII football players drafted.
The big change for 2023 of course will be the departure of quarterback Shaw Crocker. Wingate was a playoff staple with him under center, so a new era is upon us. In fact, just five starters return from the offense, highlighted by 2022 leading rusher Alex Wilson (732 yards, four touchdowns) and wide receiver Trevor Grant (370 yards, five touchdowns). Whoever wins the quarterback position can rest assured there is experience up front with three offensive linemen back in the picture from 2022.
Wingate made its presence felt on its defense, and there the Bulldogs look solid. Seven players return, including defensive lineman Marquis Fleming who is a Lindy’s preseason All-American, coming off a 13-sack season. Also back is dangerous linebacker, Jaquan Edwards, who piled on 87 tackles last year. Dequan Mosely and Jaheim Mullen, who combined for five interceptions last year, are back in the secondary.
“Last year, we played great defense and had the best punter in the nation,” head coach Joe Reich told me. “We were able to play to those strengths on the way to a national quarterfinal appearance. For 2023 we have a solid core on defense returning from one of the top defenses in the nation. Marquise Fleming and Jaquan Edwards should have great seasons.”
Freshmen to watch:
Sam Cowher, LB
Xavier Jackson, LB
Ethan Wallace, RB
Player of the year watch:
Marquise Fleming, DL
Jaquan Edwards, LB
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The Really Big Spring Show
I joined the D2Football team to talk about offseason moves, new coaches, new faces, and how off my “way-too-early preseason top 10” looked from January. Any time you get to listen to these three talk DII football, you’re in luck. If you missed it, you can watch it here: