Latest news with #Wingfield
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC offensive lineman DJ Wingfield hires an attorney to fight for 2025 eligibility
Earlier this offseason, USC football picked up a commitment from Purdue offensive line transfer DJ Wingfield. Wingfield was projected to play a significant role for a Trojans offensive line that lost several starters from last season. At the time, it was assumed that Wingfield had one season of eligility remaining. However, according to a report from On3 Thursday, Wingfield has yet to get a waiver from the NCAA granting him a sixth year of eligibility due to the fact that he started his college career at the junior college level. Per the report, Wingfield is hiring an attorney in his battle for eligibility. Here is some of what On3 reporter Pete Nakos had to say about Wingfield's situation: "USC offensive lineman DJ Wingfield is hiring attorney Darren Heitner in his battle to play in the upcoming 2025 season, On3 has learned. Wingfield was believed to have one season of eligibility remaining due to the NCAA waiver for players who have at least one season at a non-NCAA program. "The Purdue transfer has not been able to secure that waiver to this point, On3 has learned. He previously declared for the NFL draft before entering the portal and transferring to USC. "The NCAA waiver was issued in December. According to NCAA guidance, if an athlete has time remaining in their period of eligibility to use during the 2025-26 academic year based on relief provided due to impacts of COVID-19, they can return for another season provided that they used at least one season at a non-NCAA institution. "Wingfield is now bringing in Heitner, with the expectation that he will file a suit for an injunction, which would allow him to play this fall if granted. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive lineman started his career at El Camino Junior College, where he played 22 games." USC is certainly hoping that Wingfield is able to get this issue sorted out and be ruled eligible for the 2025 season. Otherwise, the Trojans would lose one of their projected starting offensive linemen just a few weeks before the start of fall camp, which would be a major blow to the team.
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Report: USC OL DJ Wingfield hires attorney in NCAA eligibility battle
Southern California offensive lineman DJ Wingfield is hiring an attorney to contest his eligibility for the 2025 season, On3 reported Thursday. Wingfield transferred from Purdue to USC after the 2024 season, believing he could play one more season due to an NCAA waiver for players with at least one season at a non-NCAA program. He has been unable to secure that waiver, per the report. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound lineman began his career at El Camino Junior College, playing 22 games there from 2020-21 before competing at New Mexico (2022-23) and Purdue. His 2022 campaign ended with an injury in the season opener. He started all 12 games at right guard for the Boilermakers. Wingfield is hiring attorney Darren Heitner and is expected to file a lawsuit for an injunction that would allow him to play this fall, per On3. Wingfield originally declared for the 2025 NFL Draft before entering the portal and committing to the Trojans in January. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
New York Giants make several changes to scouting department
New York Giants make several changes to scouting department It's customary for NFL teams to make changes to their scouting staff following the draft, and the New York Giants are no exception. In early May, the Giants permitted national scout Mike Derice to pursue other opportunities -- a decision that came as a shock to many around the league. Since then, several other changes have occurred. Isaiah Wingfield, who was hired as a scouting assistant in 2023, has been promoted to Southwest BLESTO scout, per his LinkedIn profile. That change is not currently reflected on the Giants' official website. At Harvard, Wingfield played defensive back alongside Cade Knox, who serves as the Giants' offensive assistant and game manager. In addition to Wingfield's promotion, the Giants have also hired Drew House as a scouting assistant. He previously served as the director of college scouting and assistant director of player personnel at Oregon. He also had two stints as a football operations intern with the Buffalo Bills. Finally, the Giants are expected to hire Ole Miss assistant director of player personnel Tommy Pernetti as a scouting assistant, reports Matt Zenits of CBS Sports. Pernetti has also served as a player personnel assistant at both Texas and Miami.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
An alarming reality: 4% of truckers on U.S. highways lack valid licenses
A recent study by trucking expert Adam Wingfield, analyzing the FMCSA database, revealed a troubling trend: approximately 4% of truckers on U.S. highways operate without a valid Commercial Driver's License. This issue transcends regulatory oversight, posing a serious threat to all who share the road with these massive vehicles. Unlicensed operators handling trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds endanger motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. Understanding License Requirements A Commercial Driver's License is a vital certification, ensuring truckers have the training and skills to safely operate large, potentially hazardous vehicles. Vehicles requiring this license typically include: Those weighing 26,001 pounds or more Those transporting hazardous materials Those carrying 16 or more passengers Federal and state authorities recognize three main license classes based on vehicle and trailer weight: Class A: For combined weights of 26,001 pounds or more, with trailers exceeding 10,000 pounds Class B: For single vehicles of 26,001 pounds or more, with trailers of 10,000 pounds or less Class C: For vehicles under 26,001 pounds carrying specific cargo or passengers Specialized endorsements, such as for school buses or hazardous materials, require additional training and testing. Current State of Trucking Compliance Data from 2025 Roadcheck Week inspections, also analyzed by Adam Wingfield, reveal concerning patterns. Over 56% of inspected trucks had violations, ranging from minor to severe. The out-of-service rate stood at 19.3%, consistent with the past five years, with a peak of 20.3% in 2022. Inspections averaged 1.74 violations per truck, slightly above the five-year low of 1.65 in 2021. In the first quarter of 2025, trucking recorded 645 fatal crashes. According to Wingfield, each fatal accident costs an estimated $7.2 million, creating a significant economic burden alongside the human toll. Consequences of Unlicensed Operation Operating a truck without proper credentials carries severe legal repercussions, varying by circumstance: For those never licensed: Misdemeanor charges Up to six months in jail Fines up to $1,000 Ban from operating trucks for up to 120 days For exceeding license limits: Similar penalties apply for operating beyond license class or without endorsements, such as air brake certification. For expired or revoked licenses: Some states offer renewal grace periods, but driving with an expired license may result in misdemeanor charges. Operating with a revoked license, particularly due to impaired driving, can lead to: Mandatory jail time Higher fines Extended or permanent loss of driving privileges Public Concerns and Industry Standards Stricter enforcement of existing regulations could improve highway conditions, making the highways far safer. It would also impact the economics of trucking, likely increasing trucking rates by reducing capacity. The debunked 'driver shortage' narrative may have prompted lower industry standards to fill roles, contrasting with the historical image of truckers as skilled 'knights of the road.' A four-year trend indicates 4.07% of truckers lack valid licenses, with 4.06% in the current year. That 4% of truckers lack proper credentials remains a pressing concern for all road users. Given the weight and risk of these vehicles, ensuring operators are fully trained and licensed is critical for regulators and the industry. Stronger enforcement could enhance outcomes while upholding the professionalism expected of truckers. Addressing unlicensed operation can help restore their reputation as trusted professionals and make highways safer for everyone. The post An alarming reality: 4% of truckers on U.S. highways lack valid licenses appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SFOO Summit: Navigating the trucking downturn – Adam Wingfield's Playbook for Success
This fireside chat recap is from FreightWaves' Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit on Wednesday. The trucking industry's yearslong roller coaster ride from COVID highs to post-pandemic lows was especially impactful for smaller trucking companies. For small fleets and owner-operators, the boom then prolonged bust cycle is a central theme. In a keynote address at the Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit, Adam Wingfield, founder of Innovative Logistics Group, candidly assessed the current market and provided insights for smaller players looking to not just survive but thrive in this volatile environment. 'It's a supply-demand situation where we have excessive supply, and we have a deficit of demand,' Wingfield explained. 'But we're seeing some green shoots here and there that kind of just tell us that things might be tipping away in the right direction. At least we're no longer in the bottom.' However, Wingfield cautions against complacency or expecting a return to the abnormally high rates seen during the peak of the pandemic. Instead, he advocates a fundamental shift in how owner-operators and small fleet owners approach their businesses. 'There's a difference between being a business owner and working for yourself,' Wingfield emphasized. 'I think the most important thing when you're transitioning out of being a driver into an owner-operator is that you never stop focusing on improving yourself. And what I mean by improving yourself is the role that you're going into as an owner as a fleet owner, you are the CEO of a company. Now, you might want to marginalize your business, but I'm not going to marginalize mine.' This mindset shift from driver to business executive is crucial, he argues, for long-term success in the industry. Central to this CEO mindset is the development of a robust business plan. Wingfield pulled no punches when discussing common pitfalls: 'If you know running freight off of load boards is in your business plan, you got a bad business plan. If the way that you're going to set your business model up is off of the leftovers … as your primary source of revenue long term, that's not a good plan.' Instead, Wingfield advocates a strategy focused on building relationships and creating a unique value proposition. 'Short term … obviously you got to build your reputation up. You got to learn the ins and outs You got to be able to build relationships and that's all great. But what you have to understand more importantly is that even from a broker side of things their best freight doesn't go on a load board. Their best freight goes directly to the carriers that they have relationships with.' Wingfield explained a good first step is building those direct broker relationships. He also stressed the importance of knowing your competition, understanding your market and being able to articulate what sets your operation apart. Despite the challenges, he sees opportunity in the current cycle. 'In down cycles, you have the opportunity of purchasing or securing your fixed cost at a lower expense,' he noted. This could mean acquiring trucks or other assets at more favorable prices. However, he also emphasized the need for flexibility: 'If you got to scale back to meet the needs, you can scale back because just as you scale back, you can scale right up again.' When it comes to FreightTech, Wingfield recommends a measured approach. 'I'm a big block-and-tackle guy,' he said, emphasizing the importance of fundamentals. 'The technology provides us with the tool, the tool kit, but we still have to learn when to apply those tools.' He cautioned against getting caught up in the hype of new tech solutions without first ensuring they fit the needs of the business. To help small fleets and owner-operators put these principles into practice, Wingfield has developed in partnership with FreightWaves a comprehensive resource called The Playbook. He described it as 'a resource specifically for the small fleet, the owner-operators, to have every tool that they can possibly take within their reach.' This includes business coaching, operational calculators and high-frequency SONAR data tailored to smaller operations. As the industry looks toward recovery, Wingfield's message is clear: Success will come to those who approach their businesses strategically, with a CEO's mindset and a solid plan. 'Having a plan … I think that's probably the most important thing,' he said. The post SFOO Summit: Navigating the trucking downturn – Adam Wingfield's Playbook for Success appeared first on FreightWaves.
