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Eric Weddle named Utah Football Ring of Honor inductee for 2026
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- Eric Weddle named Utah Football Ring of Honor inductee for 2026
(USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect)
The University of Utah will honor another football great this season.
Former Utes standout and Super Bowl champion Eric Weddle will be inducted into Utah's Ring of Honor in 2026. As one of the most physically-gifted players in program history , Weddle was a three-year starter for the Utes before a 14-year NFL career. He will be honored at halftime of the Arkansas game on Sept. 12.
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This is a double dip for Weddle, who will also be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame later this year. Utah's Ring of Honor was established three years ago to recognize players and coaches who have achieved the "highest honors in college football, the pros and in the community," according to a press release by Utah Athletics .
"Weddle was a cornerstone of Utah's historic 2004 season, which saw a perfect 12-0 record and a No. 4 final ranking in the AP Poll. It culminated in the program's first-ever BCS bowl appearance (the Fiesta Bowl) with the Utes becoming the first team from a non-automatically qualifying BCS conference to earn a BCS bowl bid.
"The back-to-back Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year (2005, '06) was a four-time all-conference pick, earning First Team honors in 2005 and 2006, Second Team accolades in 2004 and Honorable Mention in 2003. He was part of conference championship teams in 2003 and '04 and finished his career among the MWC's all-time leaders in forced fumbles (9) and pick-sixes (3).
"Weddle holds the Utah record for career forced fumbles (9) and ranks second all-time in interceptions (18). He contributed not only as a defensive playmaker but also as a runner, passer, and return specialist, scoring eight touchdowns in 2006. He also holds the distinction as the first player in Utah history to score on back-to-back plays from scrimmage."
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Weddle ended his collegiate career with 277 tackles (22.5 for loss), 10 sacks, 18 interceptions, 23 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries (including two returned for a touchdown). He was a second-round pick of the San Diego Chargers in the 2007 NFL Draft. He was a five-time All Pro pick and was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for 2010.
This year, Utah Football's Ring of Fame will feature Weddle, Alex Smith , Roy Jefferson, and Ron McBride. Each of them have earned their place inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
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