The relatively new and exclusive Utah Football Ring of Honor is getting a new member this fall, Eric Weddle .
The former Utes All-American safety has been named the 2026 inductee into the ring of honor and will be honored at Utah's home game against Arkansas on Sept. 12.
It's the second major honor for him this year. In January, Weddle was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in the Class of 2026.
Weddle becomes the fourth former Ute to join the program's ring of honor, and his name will be displayed on the press box at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Quarterback Alex Smith , Weddle's teammate in the early 2000s, was the first inductee into the ring of honor in 2024.
Last year, the school inducted former head coach Ron McBride and wide receiver Roy Jefferson.
Nameplates for Roy Jefferson, a University of Utah wide receiver from 1962 to 1964, and Ron McBride, former University of Utah football head coach from 1990 to 2002, are revealed as they are inducted into the Utah Football Ring of Honor during halftime of an NCAA football game between the University of Utah Utes and the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Weddle starred for the Utes from 2003-06, then followed that with a 14-year NFL career.
While Weddle was primarily a star defensive back at Utah, he also played offense and was a return man.
He started as a cornerback as a true freshman in 2003 and also played safety for the Utes. Weddle played a pivotal role on defense during Utah's undefeated 2004 season that saw the Utes become the original BCS busters.
By the end of his time at Utah, Weddle held the school record for career forced fumbles (9) and is second all-time in interceptions (18). He had 277 career tackles to go along with 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 23 pass breakups and six fumble recoveries.
Weddle was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006, and he also earned consensus All-America honors as a senior.
Over his final two years at Utah, Weddle expanded his role and contributed on offense, both as a runner and a passer. In 2006, he scored eight touchdowns.
Weddle also returned 52 punts over his Utah career for 408 yards.
In 2007, he was a second-round NFL draft pick by the San Diego Chargers and went on to a storied pro career that included playing 14 seasons and earning Pro Bowl honors six times over his time with the Chargers, Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams .
Weddle capped his career by winning a Super Bowl championship with the Rams in 2022, coming out of retirement to join the team's playoff run that year.
Weddle, a native of Fontana, California, is the head football coach at Rancho Bernardo High in Poway, California.
He was inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
Los Angeles Rams defensive back Eric Weddle (20) watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
