2022 Football Roster
Roster
Mari Wingard
- Position:
- Defensive Back
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-0 / 185
- Class:
- Fifth Year
- Hometown:
- Charlotte, N.C.
- High School:
- Ardrey Kell
- Prev School:
- Elon
- Major:
- Finance
PRONUNCIATION
2023-24: Played in 12 games … Was on the field for 81 total snaps (42 defense, 39 special teams) … Posted two tackles on the season … Had a tackle in the opener against The Citadel … Saw limited action on special teams in the win over UAB … Played 16 total snaps in the win at Ball State … Played briefly on special teams in the win over Coastal Carolina … Had a tackle at James Madison … Played five snaps on special teams in the win over ULM and three in the win over Georgia State … Was in for three special teams plays at Texas State and three at Marshall … Played three snaps against Old Dominion and three at App State … Was in for three snaps on special teams against Ohio in the Myrtle Beach Bowl … Made the Honor Roll in the fall and spring.
2022-23: Played in two games for the Eagles and was redshirted … Played 27 snaps on defense and seven on defense … Had a tackle for loss in the opener against Morgan State … Got the start at UAB, posting a tackle.
2021-22: Played in all 11 games, starting eight times for Elon … Had 38 tackles, including half a tackle for loss, seven pass break-ups and two interceptions … His seven pass break-ups led the team and two interceptions tied for team honors … Posted a season-best six tackles on two occasions, doing so at Appalachian State and at James Madison … Had an interception against William & Mary as well as in the win over No. 25 Rhode Island to close the year … Added a season-best three pass break-ups at Appalachian State, a week after recording two pass break-ups at Campbell … Entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in November and enrolled at Georgia Southern for the spring semester … Made the Dean’s List in the spring for posting a GPA higher than 3.50.
2020-21: Did not appear in any games.
2019-20: Appeared in all 11 games on special teams and the defensive backfield for Elon … Ran back a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the CAA opener against Richmond, marking Elon’s first kickoff return for a score since the 2007 season … Closed the year with 14 tackles, a fumble recovery and four passes broken up … Posted a season-high three tackles in back-to-back games against Wake Forest and No. 2 James Madison … Returning kicks, returned 16 for 418 yards to average 26.1 yards per return … His 26.1 yards per game finished as the sixth-best kick return average in CAA Football.
2018-19: Appeared in eight games for the Phoenix … Returned 12 kickoffs for 284 yards, averaging 24.5 yards per return … His 24.5 return average ranked fourth in the CAA for the season … Closed the year with six tackles … Returned one kickoff 43 yards against No. 21 Furman … Also had a 39-yard kickoff return against Charleston Southern.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for Coach Kyle Brey at Ardrey Kell High … A two-time all-conference selection … Named First-Team All-Mecklenburg County honoree as a returner … Named the WSOC-TV Big 22 Player of the Year … Finished his senior season with 65 total tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and three blocked field goals … Averaged 28.5 yards on kick returns and returned one kick for a touchdown … Averaged 40.2 yards on punt returns, returning two for scores … A member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
PERSONAL: Born Shamari Marquez Wingard on December 24 in Charlotte … Has two siblings, Omari and Khidahry … Brother Omari ran track at Mars Hill University.
MAJOR: Finance (Graduated; Elon)
