DW #64

DJ Wingfield

Guard · USC

A 316-pound guard whose college career was upended by an NCAA eligibility ruling before he found a home in Dallas.

DJ Wingfield took an unusual road to the NFL, playing junior college ball, transferring multiple times, and starting a full season at Purdue before an NCAA eligibility dispute wiped out his final year at USC. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after a strong tryout at rookie minicamp.

★ Started every game at right guard for Purdue in 2024

★ Earned a reported $210,000 NIL deal at USC despite not playing

Path to the league

Wingfield began at El Camino College in 2019, took a year away from football, then played at New Mexico before transferring to Purdue, where he started every game at right guard in 2024. He transferred to USC in 2025 on a reported $210,000 NIL deal, but the NCAA ruled him ineligible to play a fifth season, and a federal judge upheld that ruling. He signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent in May 2026 after a successful rookie minicamp tryout.

Career highlights

His best statistical season came at Purdue in 2024, where he started every game at right guard. At 6-foot-4 and 316 pounds, Wingfield's size and starting experience in a Power Four conference made him an appealing UDFA target despite the lost 2025 season.

2025 season recap

Wingfield did not play in 2025 after the NCAA denied his eligibility appeal at USC, sidelining him for the entire season. He was still able to work out at USC's Pro Day in March 2026, which helped him land a tryout and eventual contract with the Cowboys.