Travis Knight, a long-time defensive assistant coach at Wingate University, referred to the Bulldogs earlier this year on social media as “D2 D-Line U”.
It’s hard to argue with that assessment.
The ‘Dogs have churned out an assortment of all-conference, all-region and All-American defensive trench-workers in recent years. The latest to leave his mark: Marquise Fleming, a product of Charlotte’s Olympic High School.
Fleming wracked up about every possible honor a year ago: starting with having a first-team all-conference season in the South Atlantic and ending with region defensive player of the year honors, All-American status and becoming a finalist for multiple national D2 awards.
The good news for Wingate fans: he’s back for another run in navy blue and Vegas gold. North Carolina Football News turns our D2 spotlight today on Fleming, who has already been in the limelight in the off-season: first-team preseason All-America from Lindy’s Sports, preseason first-team all-conference and inclusion as a first-teamer on D2Football.com’s Elite 100 watch list.
“He’s been that guy for us since he’s been here,” said new Wingate head coach Rashaan Jordan, the defensive coordinator for the program when Fleming arrived. “It was a growing process for him. He’s played alongside some really good football players … This is just about it being his time.”
Collectively, Wingate had one of the stingiest defenses in the nation in 2023. Individually, Fleming provided some of the best numbers.
He led the nation (D2) in sacks, with 13 solos and two assists. He sent quarterbacks backwards nearly a football field in losses and added seven more QB pressures to his menacing resume. Fleming finished fifth nationally in total tackles for loss (22.5).
The awards came fast and furious after the Bulldogs closed the books on an 8-3 season:
- South Atlantic first-team All-Piedmont defense
- SAC overall Defensive Player of the Year
- D2CCA All-Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year
- One of eight finalists for the Gene Upshaw Award, given to the top senior lineman in the nation.
- One of 36 finalists for the Cliff Harris Award, handed out to the top small college defensive player of the year
- One of 38 nominees for the Harlon Hill Award, given to the top player in all of Division II football.
- First-team D2 All-American from the American Football Coaches Association and the Associated Press
- First-team Don Hansen D2 All-American
Maybe the one thing absent from last year’s outstanding season: a return to the D2 playoffs. The Bulldogs, which made the quarterfinals in 2022, narrowly missed out on the post-season a year ago, losing games to Mars Hill, Tusculum and Limestone by a combined 14 points. Wingate did finish strong, winning the last four and pinning the only regular season loss on eventual D2 semifinalist Lenoir-Rhyne.
Wingate has been picked to finish second in the SAC this season, behind the rival Bears from Hickory.
A tough schedule awaits, though, including non-conference games against upstart UNC Pembroke and Delta State (10-2, second round of the D2 playoffs in 2023).
Fleming will get the chance to play against the other two Elite 100 players from North Carolina this seaon. Like Fleming, UNC Pembroke’s Jamae Blank and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Andre Jefferson play on the defensive line.
The game at UNC Pembroke will kick off the season on Saturday, Aug. 31.
#7 Marquise Fleming
- Position: Defensive End
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 235
- Hometown: Charlotte
- High School: Olympic HS
2023 Highlights: Finished with 63 total tackles, 22.5 tackles-for-loss and 13 solo sacks … Earned SAC defensive player of the week honors after recording 11 tackles, a whopping six tackles-for-loss and three sacks in the regular season finale against UVA Wise … Had 4.5 tackles-for-loss against Tusculum, 3.5 at Newberry and 3.0 against both Emory & Henry and Limestone … Forced three fumbles
Other Wingate Highlights: Played in one game as a true freshman in 2020, recording a six-yard sack … Had 25 hits and six tackles-for-loss over eight games in 2021. Earned all-conference after the 2022 season, playing alongside another Wingate All-American, DJ Horne.
High School Highlights: Earned first-team So. Meck 7 all-conference in 2019 as a defensive end … Had 117 tackles and 45 tackles-for-loss over two seasons on varsity (2018, 2019) … Recorded 28 tackles-for-loss as a junior over 11 games … Finished with 17 career sacks … Recovered a fumble for a touchdown his senior year.
