Cal Football

Bear Insider Video: Cal All-American Linebacker Evan Weaver

By Jim McGill

December 27, 2019

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Cal consensus All-American linebacker Evan Weaver has had a season for the ages and a 2-year statistical run that’s the stuff of legends. Already at 173 tackles this season, Weaver is just 20 short of the all-time single season NCAA tackles record of 193. His two-year total is an otherworldly 331 tackles with one game to go.

For most mere humans, the prospect of needing 20 tackles would be an insurmountable task but for the dynamic senior playmaker, it’s certainly within reach, with three games of more than 20 tackles just this season alone, having compiled games of 22 tackles vs. Ole Miss, 21 vs. Oregon State and 22 vs. Utah, with the latter two coming in back-to-back games. However, despite the elusive record being within grasp, Weaver’s laser focused on doing whatever it takes to get the win in Monday’s Redbox Bowl vs. Illinois.

What makes Weaver special?

“I think the effort, the toughness, the passion he plays with,” said co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Peter Sirmon. “You see the production. He’s very talented. He’s got good natural instincts.

“He’s stayed healthy and he plays with great effort every snap. When you see those kind of high numbers, there’s going to be three to four tackles every game that are pure effort.”

Did Weaver ever think he’d one day be on the precipice of such a prestigious record?

“Yeah, of course,” said Weaver. “If you don't believe in yourself, you can’t play this game.

“I mean, it’s not really what I’m going for but if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, no water off my back.

“I’m still pretty focused on the bowl game. We’re here to do our job and that’s to get a win. After the game, I’m sure I’ll be pretty emotional. Right now, I’m just focused on getting the win and getting these guys ready.”

Weaver and his teammates recognize what the impact of a bowl game win and an eight-win season can be for the future of the program. The team hasn’t won at least eight games in a decade, since Cal finished 8-5.

“I think it’s huge,” said Weaver. “Just to get those eight wins, that’s a huge mountain we’ve had to climb through injuries and all that. To be able to that for the program would be huge for them to be able to move forward and build off that and maybe get a double-digit win season next year.”

is there anything he and his senior counterparts would like to pass on to their younger teammates for the future?

“Oh man, I just hope they can follow in our footsteps and keep believing in the program,” said Weaver. “Keep believing in the coaches and the system and it’s all going to work out.”

Weaver’s made a lot of moves in his four years at Cal, coming in as a defensive end after starring as a two-way player at Spokane’s Gonzaga Prep, compiling 125 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, two safeties, one fumble recovery and one blocked punt on defense while adding nearly 1,000 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on the ground as the Washington State Defensive Player of the year in his senior season. At Cal, he played defensive end and outside linebacker before settling into his current role of inside linebacker as a junior.

What stood out to him in his time as a player?

“Oh man, just workouts,” said Weaver. “I mean, grinding through workouts and really figuring out who guys are and just understanding the guys as a whole, especially under stressful situations like that.

“It’s been exciting. It’s been a ride. There’s been a lot of ups and downs but overall, I love it and have appreciated my time here.”