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The University of Utah Athletics
Weddle Chosen By Chargers In Second Round
4/30/2007 12:00 AM | Football
April 30, 2007
SALT LAKE CITY -
University of Utah All-America defensive back Eric Weddle was selected in the second round of the NFL draft on April 28 by San Diego. The Chargers made a draft-day trade to move up and acquire Weddle with the 37th overall pick. Ute defensive tackle Paul Soliai was selected in the fourth round by Miami with the 108th overall pick.
Three Utes had also signed free agent contracts as of today: defensive tackle Kelly Talavou (Atlanta), quarterback Brett Ratliff (New York Jets) and offensive lineman Tavo Tupola (Houston).
Weddle, a native of Alta Loma, Calif., earned Consensus All-America honors his senior year and was a two-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Weddle played all over the field for the Utes, taking turns at corner, safety, quarterback, running back, holder, returner and as a member of the coverage teams. As a senior in 2006, Weddle recorded 64 tackles, a league-high seven interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He also rushed 44 times for 203 yards and five touchdowns (tied for the team lead), and was 2-of-4 passing for 43 yards and a touchdown. He scored eight touchdowns - two on interception returns, one on a fumble return and five rushing - and passed for another.
The Chargers plan to play Weddle at safety, according to a staff press release. "The guy is a good player, and we needed a safety," said Buddy Nix, the Chargers assistant general manager. "He was high on our list from the start. We knew if we waited until late in the second round, we wouldn't get him. We were aggressive. We're not worried about what we gave up; we're worried about what we got, which is a football player that will help us win."
One of Weddle's most memorable games came at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium, which is also home to the San Diego State Aztecs. Last fall, Weddle intercepted three passes against SDSU - returning two for touchdowns. He also scored a rushing touchdown against the Aztecs and became the first player in Utah history to score on back-to-back plays from scrimmage. He was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week.
Weddle was a four-year starter for the Utes, beginning as a true freshman in 2003. He finished his career with 277 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and 18 interceptions (second-most in school history).
Utah's other 2007 draft pick also came from the defensive side of the ball. Soliai started at nose guard as a senior and earned second-team all-conference honors. He recorded 35 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and four pass breakups. Soliai came to Utah as an All-America junior college offensive lineman, but after redshirting in 2004, switched to the defense.
Utah's free agents include 2006 first-team all-conference players Talavou and Tupola. Talavou led Utah's defensive linemen with 47 total tackles and also contributed 8.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 2 pass breakups and a fumble. He started at nose guard as a junior and tackle as a senior. Tupola, a four-year starting offensive tackle, had 31 knockdowns, 17 pancake blocks and 35 cuts. Also going the free agent route was Ratliff, who passed for 2,796 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2006, and finished second in the MWC in passing (215.1) and total offense (235.1) yards per game. Ratliff was 10-5 overall as a starter and won both of his bowl starts.
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