National Football Foundation

A team leader, athletically, academically and in his local community, John Wendling continues to be a role model for his University of Wyoming teammates and campus. 

A Business Administration major, Wendling is a three-time First Team Academic All-Conference selection and was named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine All-District Second Team. A Dean's List member, he is the recipient of the Ryan E. Wilson and Alfred M. Pence Athletic Scholarships. 

Contributing to the nation's third-ranked defense, Wendling leads the team in fumble returns and ranks second in tackles. As a 2006 team captain and his third year as a starter, Wendling has been named a 2006 pre-season First Team All-Conference selection. He has twice earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors and guided the Cowboys to a victory in the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl. 

Eager to help in his community, Wendling participated in the 2006 Youth Football Camp and the University of Wyoming Sports Festivals for Youth. A participant in a 2006 "Say No to Tobacco" radio advertisement, he has volunteered with Skate for Kids, Christmas for Kids and Athletes for Literacy. 

Wendling becomes the fourth player from Wyoming to win a National Scholar-Athlete Award and the first since Trenton Franz in 2004. Wendling was drafted in the sixth round (184th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and made 49 total tackles in three seasons with the Bills. 

He signed with the Detroit Lions for the 2010 season and was named a Pro Bowl alternate that season after making 30 tackles on special teams. Wendling made 98 tackles in four seasons with the Lions.