Eric Weddle has been out of college football for nearly two decades. But the Utes are finally making it official.
Utah will induct the former safety into its Ring of Honor during the September 12 home game against Arkansas, per college football insider Brett McMurphy. That’s a big primetime matchup for the program, and now there’s even more reason for fans to fill Rice-Eccles Stadium early.
Weddle played at Utah from 2003 to 2006. He was a nightmare for opposing offenses. He still holds the school record for forced fumbles with nine and sits second all-time in interceptions with 18. He was a consensus All-American and a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. That 2004 team? Undefeated. Weddle was a huge reason why.
But here’s the thing about Weddle that people sometimes forget. He wasn’t just a safety. The guy lined up at running back, returned kicks, and even threw a few passes. He was a hybrid weapon before that became a trendy thing in college football. Coaches just wanted the ball in his hands however they could get it there.
That versatility carried into the NFL. Weddle spent 14 years in the league and made six Pro Bowls. He played for the Chargers, Ravens, and Rams. He never won a Super Bowl, but he came close in Baltimore and was a fixture in the secondary for well over a decade.
And he stayed connected. Earlier this year, after the Ravens let John Harbaugh go and hired former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Weddle was one of the first guys to publicly back the move. He went as far as to predict Minter would have a Mike Macdonald-level impact in Baltimore. Macdonald, of course, turned Seattle’s defense around in one season. That’s high praise from a guy who knows what good defense looks like.
But for now, the focus is on his college legacy. Utah waited a while on this. Some guys take years. Others get in immediately. Weddle falls somewhere in between, but the timing makes sense. The program is building something, and honoring legends like him keeps that connection alive for recruits and current players.
Arkansas will have something to say about the game itself. But on that night, Rice-Eccles will belong to Weddle. And honestly, it’s about time.
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