Rashad Weaver named All-American by ESPN

Pitt defensive end Rashad Weaver earned All-America honors on Tuesday, as ESPN placed him on its 26-man team. The honor was the second of its kind for Weaver this week, as he was named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Focus alongside Pitt punter Kirk Christodoulou, who earned second-team honors from the football analytics website.

This time around, Weaver was the only Panther honored, as Christodoulou was passed up in favor of Georgia Tech punter Pressley Harvin III. Another potential All-American in Pitt’s ranks passed up by both Pro Football Focus and ESPN was Patrick Jones II, who manned the edge of Pitt’s defensive line opposite Weaver. Jones came up with nine sacks and 13 tackles for losses in 11 games but was passed over by ESPN for Coastal Carolina defensive end Tarron Jackson, who had 8.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for losses in 2020.

As for Weaver, he surged back this season after a torn ACL sidelined him for the 2019 campaign, leading Pitt with 14.5 tackles for losses and 7.5 sacks in 11 games — both of which were career highs. As a result, he not only earned All-American honors from both ESPN and Pro Football Focus for the first time in his career, but he was also placed on the All-ACC first team by both the ACC and the AP.

Weaver’s personal-best season has seen him garner plenty of attention ahead of the 2021 NFL draft, with multiple analysts predicting a first-round selection. The All-America and All-ACC nods may well help Weaver in that regard. Weaver may also have more honors coming his way, as he was named a semifinalist for Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year honors on Monday. On top of that, Weaver will try to give his stock an additional boost by taking part in the Senior Bowl in January.