Best of luck to JJ in the pros!
The Big Blue Nation can rejoice in the news that three-time team captain JJ Weaver has signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
After all of the adversity that Weaver has faced in his career, everyone will be rooting for the former Kentucky Wildcats standout to claw his way onto an NFL roster this fall alongside fellow Wildcat Josh Allen.
It’s hard to fathom that #13 saw action in an unbelievable 58 games, with 39 of those being starts.
In his six seasons, Weaver racked up just under 200 total tackles. His 21.5 sacks are tied for fourth in program history, while his 39.5 tackles for a loss are third-best.
His most memorable performances coming against hometown rival Louisville made Weaver a fan favorite and all-time Wildcat legend. He joined DeAndre Square and Josh Paschal as UK’s only three-time team captains.
At 6-foot-5, 241 pounds, JJ Weaver has the size and experience to excel at the next level if he can stay healthy and integrate into the right situation.
Here is how NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein summed up Weaver’s professional potential.
“Sixth-year senior, three-time team captain, and winner of the 2024 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. Weaver lacks the athletic profile and twitch to make explosive plays, but he’s generally solid from snap to snap. While he has been a solid collegiate defender, Weaver appears to lack a differentiating athletic trait that will help him stand out and excite NFL teams.”
I’d argue that Weaver’s instincts and nose for the ball outweigh some of his athletic limitations.
The Fort Lauderdale native had high expectations when he arrived on campus as a four-star prospect in the summer of 2019. Six years later, he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered forever.
His contributions on the field were incredible, but it’s what Weaver did for the community that will left the most impactful impression.
The Perfect Fit Foundation has helped lead various efforts around the Commonwealth, and Weaver has been honored with numerous awards for his dedication to community service. After dealing with the pain of losing his father to homicide, a specific focus on supporting children with grief became important to Weaver.
The Wildcat program is losing a great player but an even better person. There is no doubt that we’ll be seeing J.J. Weaver returning to Kentucky and spreading joy on a regular basis.
Best of luck, JJ!