Eric Weddle, a former All‑American safety who starred at the University of Utah from 2003 to 2006, has been named the 2026 inductee into the Utah Football Ring of Honor. The university will recognize his contributions during a home game against Arkansas on September 12, a date that also marks his second major accolade of the year after his recent election to the College Football Hall of Fame.
A career defined by excellence
Weddle’s collegiate tenure was marked by record‑setting performances, including nine forced fumbles — a mark that still stands as the school’s all‑time high — and 18 interceptions, placing him second in Utah history. He earned consensus All‑America honors as a senior and captured back‑to‑back Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2005 and 2006, cementing his reputation as a defensive stalwart.
His professional journey extended to 14 seasons in the NFL, where he earned six Pro Bowl selections and was a key member of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl championship squad in 2022. After retiring, Weddle returned to California to serve as the head coach at Rancho Bernardo High School in Poway, where he continues to shape the next generation of talent.
A lineage of honorees
The upcoming induction will make Weddle the fourth former Ute to join the Ring of Honor, following the likes of quarterback Alex Smith, who was the inaugural inductee in 2024, and longtime coach Ron McBride and receiver Roy Jefferson, who were honored last year. Their stories illustrate a lineage of excellence that the university seeks to celebrate.
Beyond the accolades, Weddle’s impact resonates through his community work and the standards he sets for student‑athletes. As the university prepares to unveil a commemorative display, fans and alumni alike anticipate a ceremony that will blend nostalgia with a forward‑looking vision for Utah football.