Cal LB Evan Weaver Earns Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week
From high school to college, the gridiron career for Evan Weaver has been amazing to watch. The former Gonzaga Prep standout has worked his way to All-American status at the collegiate level as an inside linebacker with Cal earning the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for his efforts in Cal’s 20-19 upset of then- No. 14 Washington in Week 2 of the college football season.
The Golden Bears defense held the Huskies offense to 348 total yards behind the game-high, and tied career-high (vs. Colorado), 18 tackles for Weaver. The preseason first team Athlon Sports All-American, second team AP, racked up 14 solo stops with two tackles for a loss and forced a key fumble helping his squad to a 2-0 record. The effort in the Pac-12 showdown now has Weaver second in the nation in total stops (30), just four behind San Jose State’s Ethan Aguayo, and tied for the national lead in solo tackles (20) with Utah State’s David Woodward. Weaver gets another opportunity to fill up the stat sheet on Saturday when the North Texas Mean Green (1-1) come to Berkeley in a non-conference contest.
Weaver entered his senior season in the spotlight after finishing the 2018 season as the nation’s second leading tackler (158); eight behind Washington’s Ben Burr-Kirven. National media put Weaver on every preseason watchlist possible including the Butkus Award, Chuck Bendarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Before Weaver worked his way into All-American status and ranked as Mel Kiper’s No. 3 inside linebacker for the 2020 NFL Draft, he was a two-way standout in the high school ranks out of Spokane (WA). Playing defensive end/outside linebacker and running back, Weaver led his Bullpups team to a 14-0 record capturing a 4A state title. Multiple Washington media outlets awarded him Player of the Year honors at the conclusion of his senior campaign; Seattle Times, Associated Press and Tacoma News Tribune. His stat line on defense was impressive 125 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, two safeties, one fumble recovery and one blocked punt and enhanced when paired with what he did on offense; 933 rush yards, sporting a 6.1 yards per carry average, while scoring 17 touchdowns.
Weaver was an RNG regular while with Gonzaga Prep. Click the links for the flashback interviews:
Oct. 25, 2015 – season update interview
Aug. 14, 2015 – Cal commitment interview
Aug. 7, 2015 – Top 6 and commitment date interview
Ryan Wright is a member of the Football Writers Association of America and a voter for the Bronko Nagurski Award
Photo credit: spokesman.com; No. 89 Evan Weaver vs. Washington
Photo credit: FWAA