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The University of Utah Athletics
Eric Weddle Named to 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class
1/14/2026 12:00 PM | Football
Former Utah standout to become fourth member with Utah connections
IRVING, Texas — Former Utah All-American safety Eric Weddle has been named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class, the National Football Foundation announced on Wednesday. Weddle and the rest of the 22-member class were revealed today on College Football Live presented by Great Clips on ESPN2.
The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Weddle will become the fourth member of the College Football Hall of Fame with connections to Utah after former head coach Urban Meyer was inducted in 2025 and standout quarterback Alex Smith was selected in 2024. Another former head coach, Ike Armstrong, was inducted in 1957 after helming the program from 1925-49.
Known as a relentless ballhawk, Eric Weddle used his keen instincts and superlative coverage skills to shut down opposing offenses and force turnovers, helping elevate the Utes to unprecedented success. The Fontana, California native, is set to be the second Utah player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, joining his former teammate, Smith.
A consensus First Team All-American in 2006, Weddle played a central role in Utah's rise to national prominence, contributing to a 37-12 record, four consecutive bowl victories, and the program's first-ever undefeated season.
Playing for Coach Meyer during his first two seasons, Weddle was a cornerstone of Utah's historic 2004 campaign, which produced a perfect 12-0 record and a final No. 4 ranking in the AP Poll. That season 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. Utah also scored postseason wins in the 2003 Liberty Bowl, 2005 Emerald Bowl and 2006 Armed Forces Bowl during his tenure in Salt Lake with the final two seasons under the guidance of head coach Kyle Whittingham.
Twice earning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors (2005, 2006), Weddle helped the Utes twice claim the conference title (2003, 2004). He was a four-time All-MWC selection, earning First Team honors in 2005 and 2006, Second Team accolades in 2004 and as an Honorable Mention pick in 2003. He finished his career among the league's all-time leaders in forced fumbles (9) and interception returns for touchdowns (3).
Weddle holds the school 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. Weddle finished his Utah career with 277 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 18 interceptions, 23 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries (including two returned for a touchdown). He rushed 52 times for 259 yards and six touchdowns. He passed twice for six yards and a touchdown, and he returned 52 punts for 408 yards.
Selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, Weddle played 14 seasons in the league with the Chargers, Baltimore and the Los Angeles Rams. He was twice named a First Team All-Pro and three times as a Second Team All-Pro. He was a six-time Pro Bowl pick and won a Super Bowl with the Rams.
Weddle currently is the head coach of the Rancho Bernardo High School in Poway, California, and he launched a jewelry line to benefit organizations that provide resources to domestic violence victims. He was inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Weddle will become the fourth member of the College Football Hall of Fame with connections to Utah after former head coach Urban Meyer was inducted in 2025 and standout quarterback Alex Smith was selected in 2024. Another former head coach, Ike Armstrong, was inducted in 1957 after helming the program from 1925-49.
Known as a relentless ballhawk, Eric Weddle used his keen instincts and superlative coverage skills to shut down opposing offenses and force turnovers, helping elevate the Utes to unprecedented success. The Fontana, California native, is set to be the second Utah player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, joining his former teammate, Smith.
A consensus First Team All-American in 2006, Weddle played a central role in Utah's rise to national prominence, contributing to a 37-12 record, four consecutive bowl victories, and the program's first-ever undefeated season.
Playing for Coach Meyer during his first two seasons, Weddle was a cornerstone of Utah's historic 2004 campaign, which produced a perfect 12-0 record and a final No. 4 ranking in the AP Poll. That season 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. Utah also scored postseason wins in the 2003 Liberty Bowl, 2005 Emerald Bowl and 2006 Armed Forces Bowl during his tenure in Salt Lake with the final two seasons under the guidance of head coach Kyle Whittingham.
Twice earning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors (2005, 2006), Weddle helped the Utes twice claim the conference title (2003, 2004). He was a four-time All-MWC selection, earning First Team honors in 2005 and 2006, Second Team accolades in 2004 and as an Honorable Mention pick in 2003. He finished his career among the league's all-time leaders in forced fumbles (9) and interception returns for touchdowns (3).
Weddle holds the school 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. Weddle finished his Utah career with 277 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 18 interceptions, 23 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries (including two returned for a touchdown). He rushed 52 times for 259 yards and six touchdowns. He passed twice for six yards and a touchdown, and he returned 52 punts for 408 yards.
Selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, Weddle played 14 seasons in the league with the Chargers, Baltimore and the Los Angeles Rams. He was twice named a First Team All-Pro and three times as a Second Team All-Pro. He was a six-time Pro Bowl pick and won a Super Bowl with the Rams.
Weddle currently is the head coach of the Rancho Bernardo High School in Poway, California, and he launched a jewelry line to benefit organizations that provide resources to domestic violence victims. He was inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
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