Florham Park, N.J.----The New York Jets have signed former Wingate University defensive end Kenwin Cummings (Maxton, N.C.) to the active roster from the practice squad. The announcement was made by general manager Mike Tannenbaum.
A linebacker for the Jets, Cummings (6-3, 250) was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 7. He originally signed with the Jets on May 2, 2008, as an undrafted free agent. Cummings was inactive for the 2008 season opener at Miami. He was waived on Sept. 10 and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 16, where he spent the remainder of the season.
Cummings had a team-best seven tackles (five solo) in a pre-season game against St. Louis on August 14. The 2009 season is Cummings’ second year with the Jets. He is one of three former Bulldogs who are active in professional football. The others are David Jones (Cincinnati Bengals, NFL) and John Bowman (Montreal Alouettes, CFL).
A graduate of Purnell Swett High School, Cummings was named to the Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-America second team in 2007. A two-time Hansen’s All-America pick, Cummings was named to Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-America first team in 2005. Cummings was a Don Hansen’s Football Gazette second team All-Southeast Region choice in 2007 after earning first team honors in 2005 and 2006.
The South Atlantic Conference football coaches voted Cummings a first team All-SAC performer three seasons in a row. In 2007, Cummings led the South Atlantic Conference in quarterback sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (18) in 2007. He recorded 71 tackles during his senior season (fifth on the Wingate charts).
As a junior, Cummings led the SAC in tackles for loss (17.5), quarterback hurries (15) and quarterback sacks (nine). He compiled 66 tackles and three forced fumbles in 2006. As a sophomore during the 2005 season, he had 71 tackles, eight sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and eight QB hurries.
Cummings and his 17 senior teammates left an indelible impression on the Bulldog football program. Wingate’s 18-member senior class compiled 28 wins, at the time the most victories in the school’s senior college history. The 2008-09 class tied the record last year, posting 28 victories as well. The 2009-10 class set a new record with 30 victories.
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service.
Wingate offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 34 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 43 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.