In a significant moment for the University of Utah, former safety Eric Weddle has been honored with a place in the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame. This marks only the second time in the school's history that a player has received such an accolade. Weddle's induction was announced on Wednesday, making him the first Utes player to achieve this distinction since quarterback Alex Jensen, who was inducted in 2024 as the university's inaugural Hall of Famer.
Weddle was among a select group of 18 former college football players and four coaches recognized by the National Football Foundation for their remarkable contributions to the sport. Following the announcement, Weddle expressed his excitement on social media platform X, stating, "College Football Hall of Famer!!!! Has a nice ring to it. I'm so thankful for my time at UTAH and the lifelong relationships I've built. This honor is a testament to my incredible teammates, coaches, family, and friends who inspired me to strive for greatness."
The formal induction ceremony for Weddle and his fellow honorees will take place during the 68th annual NFF awards dinner, scheduled for December 8, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Reflecting on his journey, Weddle, who humorously referred to himself as a "little punk California kid," remarked that he has been "living the dream" since his exceptional collegiate career at Utah, followed by a successful 14-year tenure in the NFL. He even made headlines when he came out of retirement to join the Los Angeles Rams in pursuit of his first Super Bowl victory.
"I never imagined I would play college football, let alone make it to the NFL," Weddle shared with the media after winning the Super Bowl. "All of this feels like an ongoing dream, and each day just keeps getting better."
During his time at Utah, Weddle earned the honor of consensus first-team All-American in 2006 and played a pivotal role in the Utes' undefeated season in 2004, where they famously disrupted the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) under the leadership of fellow Hall of Famer Urban Meyer.
In 2022, Weddle was inducted into Utah's Hall of Fame, which acknowledged his impressive record of two Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year titles and first-team All-MWC selections in both 2005 and 2006. He holds the school record for career forced fumbles with nine and ranks second in career interceptions with 18.
Notably, Weddle is also the only player in Utah's history to score on consecutive plays from scrimmage. His collegiate statistics are remarkable: a record of 37 wins against 12 losses, four bowl game victories, along with 277 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 23 pass breakups, and six fumble recoveries. Additionally, he contributed offensively, rushing for 259 yards and scoring six touchdowns on 52 carries, along with attempting two passes that resulted in a touchdown.
After his standout college performance, Weddle was drafted by the then-San Diego Chargers, later playing for the Baltimore Ravens, and making a playoff appearance with the Rams after coming out of retirement. Throughout his NFL career, he was selected to the Pro Bowl six times.
Now retired from professional football, Weddle has embraced a new role as the head coach of the Rancho Bernardo High School football team, where his talented son, Gaige, is projected to be a five-star recruit playing quarterback and safety.
Weddle has expressed interest in returning to Utah in a coaching capacity, especially with former teammate Morgan Scalley now serving as the head coach. However, his current focus remains on high school coaching for the time being.
The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class also includes notable names such as Jerry Azumah from the University of New Hampshire, Ki-Jana Carter from Penn State University, and Marvin Harrison from Syracuse University, among others.
