GATORCOLLECTIVE CORNER: Coming To Gainesville Was A ‘Sweet’ Experience For Derek Wingo In Many Ways

Photo courtesy Gator Collective

"I have always played linebacker and quarterback my whole life. I would say I was more focused on the quarterback my 7th and 8th grade … There was always this kind of anger in me that made me want to be on the other side of the ball and knock somebody out." -- Derek Wingo

Transcribed From TheBuddyMartinShow/GatorCollective Corner

By Kyle Curtis, GatorBait Intern

(Each week, GatorBait features an interview from a Florida player with Gator Collective. This week it’s sophomore linebacker Derek Wingo from Fort Lauderdale.)

Question: How does it feel to finally have parking on campus?

Answer: “I’d say parking was an issue that was a long time coming… We were able to get that done get that set aside… It’s amazing,” Wingo said. “One of the first things when Napier sat down and had that conversation about what are the things we wanted to change within the program. One of the first things said was parking.”

After years and years of football players coming in and out of the program, struggling with parking tickets and lack of spots, Napier and his staff were able to knock this out as one of their first accomplishments here at UF.

Question: What has it been like going through the culture and mood change during the offseason within the program?

Answer: Guys are feeling closer as a team, pushing each other, just having the right attitude and work ethic. Even the strength was amazing, their enthusiasm, it was nothing I saw before.

Wingo stressed how it felt different while conducting workouts with the new staff. He emphasized how everyone felt closer as a team and the strength staff was doing a “great job of keeping everyone motivated and engaged.”

Question: Talk about having the family structure, and how much your mom and dad have influenced your football career up to this point?

Answer: I was born in Naples, Florida. When it came to the decision to be able to go over to the East Coast to attend Saint Thomas (Aquinas), my mom owned a pre-school, so that was something she couldn’t just push away. We decided as a family for my dad to move over to the East Coast with me, so I commuted those four years for family time. My mom would travel every Friday night to come to see my games. That was something that was tough. When COVID hit, my mom ended up losing her business, a lot of different things were going on… She then made the decision she wanted to support me and be a part of my journey so they moved to Gainesville. To be able to have my parents here in Gainesville supporting me, that’s something amazing. We got the whole family here, just having the support on my back is amazing.

Wingo went into depth about how he attended one of the most athletically-decorated high schools in Florida and the hardships that came along with it for his family. He explained how much of an impact his parents have had on him and now they are in Gainesville makes not only football life easier, but also college life as a student.

Question: What is your favorite item from your mom’s bakery shop, the Sugar Shack?

Answer: My favorite one is actually the birthday cake and Reese’s cup because I’m a huge Reese’s cup fan. That was one of the first things Coach Napier brought up to me, ‘I heard your mom has a cupcake shop.’ Having my mom around the team is incredible.

Wingo’s mom opened “Mama Wingo’s Sugar Shop." She makes different kinds of cakes and sweets for the Gainesville area and has even brought cupcakes to the whole staff and team in the past.

Question: How is the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) working from your perspective, and how is it affecting you personally?

Answer: NIL is an amazing thing… The biggest thing that stands out is Gator Collective. That is something that will always be there, it’s a family. It’s relationships, connections we have built, and I think that’s one of the biggest things about the University of Florida. Gator Collective doing something no one else has done is amazing, to be able to help all these athletes… I thank the Gator Collective for doing what they do.

Wingo emphasized how much of an impact Gator Collective has had in such a short time on campus. He went on to say how thankful he is for Gator Collective, helping out not only certain players but every player within the program.

Question: How is the coaching staff addition, and the numbers, effect you as an athlete?

Answer: The biggest thing that’s been noticeable for me… He (Napier) is maxing our staff out for literally everything. Someone is texting me making sure I'm getting the right meals, make sure I'm getting the right protein after I work out … someone comes up to make sure I get a kind shake specific to me. In the weight room, I have a coach specific to my position that played my position… They want the best for us, they want us to succeed as a person and an athlete.

Each position has its own workout group customized to their needs. Wingo stated there is a different energy within the program surrounding practices and workouts approach.

Question: Can you talk about being coached by former Miami defensive great Jason Taylor in high school and a guy like (former Gator assistant) Christian Robinson in college?

Answer: As a high school athlete, to be coached by someone like Jason Taylor, is really unheard of. Being able to build a relationship was amazing, all the techniques were incredible. To see it in person and be coached, is something that not a lot of people gate. To have someone like Christian Robinson -- I don’t think there’s a better coach in college football. Christian Robinson has done everything for us as people … Being able to have people like Jason Taylor and Christian Robinson -- those are the kind of coaches we need in this world.

Taylor spent the majority of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins. He was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Robinson departed Gainesville in the midst of the Dan Mullen departure and was able to secure an opportunity as the linebackers coach at Auburn for the upcoming season. Both men have had an everlasting impact on not only Wingo’s football performance but also him as a person.

Question: How did you make the transition from quarterback to the defensive end, who helped you?

Answer: I have always played linebacker and quarterback my whole life. I would say I was more focused on the quarterback my 7th and 8th grade … There was always this kind of anger in me that made me want to be on the other side of the ball and knock somebody out. I felt like I always had to be in the gym and work out… I’d say making the switch was hard, but I had guys like Jason Taylor who was there for me. It is just like being the quarterback of the defense. I think that was something that transferred over very easily, being able to stay poised in tough situations, that really translated well.

Wingo touched on how his experience as being quarterback as a sophomore at Aquinas for a season translated to his success on the defensive side of the ball. He credits a lot of his success to Taylor.

Question: What is it about your game that translates so well, what is the best part of your game and something that you are improving on?

Answer: My freshman year I had to transition from playing on the ball to off the ball. My freshman year I struggled with that… This year I was able to work on and improve on that. I feel more comfortable and poised in my abilities… My pass rush ability was my skill set in high school, but now I’m working on the run game and staying in coverage. As middle linebacker that is the biggest position on defense. I know something I am good at is being in the film room and being aware of everything… I’m looking forward to it.

Wingo also said he is excited to get into the film room and work with the new defensive coordinator, Patrick Toney. He also wants to get his weight and strength up while improving his speed to help with run defense along with coverage.

Question: Why did you choose Florida, and has it been what you anticipated?

Answer: I was committed to Penn State originally, and decommited to come to the University of Florida. Coach Rob was a big guy that influenced me. One of the biggest things was already being away from my mom four years. Why am I going to travel halfway across the country when I have a great opportunity to play in the state I was born in and stay close to my family? Just to stay close to my family, stay in the heat and play for the Florida Gators… To be able to have the relationships, the connections, the education everything is just amazing.

Wingo was a four-star recruit with 30 division 1 offers. As mentioned, he was previously committed to Penn State before decommitting and coming home to Gainesville.