Manheim, Pa.----Wingate University All-American defensive end Marquise Fleming has added an enormous honor to his trophy case, taking home the prestigious Gene Upshaw Award, which was announced Thursday afternoon. The award goes to the top lineman in all of NCAA Division II. Fleming is not only the first Bulldog to take home the honor, but is the first in the history of SAC or NCAA Super Region 2 Football. He is the tenth defensive end to take home the award.

"I could not be more excited or prouder of Marquise winning the Gene Upshaw Award," head coach Rashaan Jordan says, "What tremendous honor for all his dedication and hard work. It a testament to a player and human being he has been in the program over the years. To have honor this prestige bestowed on one of our players speaks highly of our program and the people that make Wingate Football such a special place."

Fleming has been piling up major accolades over the last two seasons. The first team All-SAC and All-Region honoree was named the 2023 and 2024 SAC Defensive Player of the Year, while also taking home D2CCA Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year accolades both years. Fleming was a consensus first team All-American in 2023, when he led the nation in sacks. He followed that up by leading the nation in tackles for loss this season to repeat as the SAC and Region Player of the year. Fleming was the runner-up for the Upshaw Award in 2023.  

Fleming was a finalist for the Harlon Hill trophy in 2023 and 2024, leading the 'Dogs to a SAC title and play-off appearance in 2024, with Wingate earning the two seed in Super Region 2. Fleming is college football's active leader in both career sacks (38.0) and tackles for loss (71.5) among his 219 career total tackles. His nine career forced fumbles ranks fifth among active players in all divisions.

Fleming wrapped up his career by piling up 58 tackles in 2024, with 19.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. He had 14 QB hurries while forcing a pair of fumbles for the Bulldogs. That was a follow-up to his 2023 season that saw Fleming compile 63 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, with three forced fumbles and seven QB hurries.

Fleming led a Wingate defense that ranked among the nation's best in nearly every defensive category in 2024. The Bulldogs lead the nation in third down defense and red zone defense, while ranking third in total defense and sixth in scoring defense and tackles for loss. The Bulldogs allowed a program-best 12.2 points per game in 2024, while posting a program-record three shutouts. Of the 10 teams Wingate faced in 2024, six were held to the season-low point total against the Bulldogs.

The award is named in honor of the late Mr. Gene Upshaw, who was not only an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders, but later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years. Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility. The award is presented annually by the Manheim Touchdown Club.

2024 Gene Upshaw Award Final Balloting
1. Marquise Fleming, DE, Wingate
2. Gabe Brown, OT, Grand Valley State
3. Todd Hill, DE, Slippery Rock
4. Nic Van de Graaf, OT, Colorado School of Mines
5. Gage Price, NT, Harding
6. Jake Gannon, OC, Bemidji State
7. Jaheim Bassham, OC, California (Pa.)
8. Isaac Anderson, DE, Virginia Union