University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt’s Rashad Weaver Semifinalist for Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year
12/21/2020 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt senior defensive end Rashad Weaver has been named a semifinalist for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award, it was announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in conjunction with Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl.
Weaver is one of 14 semifinalists for the honor created in 2018 to recognize college football student-athletes from all divisions who have overcome injury or illness.
Weaver (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cooper City) missed the entire 2019 season due a knee injury sustained during training camp. Following surgery, he went through a demanding rehabilitation program and remained steadfast in that process even when Pitt's campus was shut down due to the pandemic.
Weaver made his 2020 debut against Syracuse on Sept. 19. It was his first game action since the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31, 2018—a span of 628 days. In a portent of things to come, he collected two sacks and three total TFLs against the Orange.
On the year, Weaver totaled 35 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hurries, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He led the ACC in sacks (0.83/game, 17th nationally) and tackles for loss (1.6/game, 16th nationally). Pro Football Focus recognized him as a first team All-American, lauding his high production "despite facing some extremely stiff competition in the ACC."
Wrote Pro Football Focus: "The Pitt edge defender racked up 20 total pressures in his games against Notre Dame, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Boston College, the four best sets of tackles in the ACC this year."
In addition to the Mayo Clinic honor, Weaver is also a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, annually presented to the outstanding defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club.
Three winners of the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award will be selected by a vote of Associated Press college football writers and announced on January 2, 2021 in conjunction with the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl.
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Weaver is one of 14 semifinalists for the honor created in 2018 to recognize college football student-athletes from all divisions who have overcome injury or illness.
Weaver (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cooper City) missed the entire 2019 season due a knee injury sustained during training camp. Following surgery, he went through a demanding rehabilitation program and remained steadfast in that process even when Pitt's campus was shut down due to the pandemic.
Weaver made his 2020 debut against Syracuse on Sept. 19. It was his first game action since the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31, 2018—a span of 628 days. In a portent of things to come, he collected two sacks and three total TFLs against the Orange.
On the year, Weaver totaled 35 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hurries, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He led the ACC in sacks (0.83/game, 17th nationally) and tackles for loss (1.6/game, 16th nationally). Pro Football Focus recognized him as a first team All-American, lauding his high production "despite facing some extremely stiff competition in the ACC."
Wrote Pro Football Focus: "The Pitt edge defender racked up 20 total pressures in his games against Notre Dame, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Boston College, the four best sets of tackles in the ACC this year."
In addition to the Mayo Clinic honor, Weaver is also a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, annually presented to the outstanding defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club.
Three winners of the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award will be selected by a vote of Associated Press college football writers and announced on January 2, 2021 in conjunction with the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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