Weimer’s next team is UNLV
Salinas grad and JC touchdown leader waited to make a commitment
An offer was placed on the table back in August. Humbled, Jeff Weimer was also caught off guard, hesitant in making a rash decision.
So he didn’t. Instead, the former Salinas High receiver asked the University of Nevada Las Vegas to be patient, as his immediate focus was on his current team.
“I didn’t want to rush into anything,” Weimer said. “My priority at that time was City College of San Francisco. All my focus was on my current team and teammates. It’s one team at a time.”
Respecting his answer, UNLV didn’t pull the offer. Three months later, the state leader in touchdowns in junior college committed to become a Rebel.
“I finally had an opportunity to think of myself,” Weimer said. “I liked what they were offering me. It showed me something that the offer was still there. It feels like a good fit for me.”
Weimer, a key component in Salinas’ 2017 Central Coast Section Division I title team, put together a monster year for City College of San Francisco with 61 catches for 1,104 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“He’s unselfish and a team player,” Salinas coach Steven
Zenk said. “I don’t know anybody that works harder than him. He doubled down on his workouts when he got hurt to get back on the field for us.”
The Rams, who host American River Saturday in the Junior College Northern California semifinals, are ranked No. 1 in the state at 10-0, averaging a state-leading 48.5 points a game.
“What’s been the biggest blessing is the chemistry with the group of guys we have,” Weimer said. “Being a part of a great team, it’s rare to have a bunch of great athletes with low egos.”
Weimer fit the mold when he
transferred from Hartnell College after a medical red shirt year, returning to the field after a nearly two-year absence to establish himself as the No. 1 receiver.
“I’ve had some success here,” Weimer said. “What’s been great is the team has had great success. We’ve put ourselves in a position to chase a national title.”
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Weimer spent a portion of the pandemic training with
former Olympian Nick Cunningham and CFL receiver Maurice Mann, building strength and speed.
Upon his return to the field, the 21-year-old looked possessed and chiseled, finishing second in the state in receiving yards per game at 101.8, while averaging nearly 17 yards a catch.
“I worked a lot on my speed with Nick during the pandemic and strength with Mo (Mann),” Weimer said. “I learned what it takes to take my game to another level mentally. And I tried to be more of a leader.”
If his numbers didn’t
catch the attention of UNLV, his attitude warranted leaving the offer out there for Weimer, who has lined up all over the field for City College of San Francisco this fall.
“I’ll do what is best for the team,” Weimer said. “I play in the slot and on the outside. I run posts, slants, out routes, in routes, curls, anything to move the chains.”
Upon his visit to UNLV, Weimer got the tour of Allegiant Stadium, which is the home for the Rebels and Raiders. The coaching staff also broke down film of the offense it runs.
“They do a lot of similar formations that I’m running now,” Weimer said. “It won’t be to much of a change. It’s an offensive system I like. That was very attractive to me.”
The Rebels’ interest in Weimer, who missed most of 2019 with a calf injury and didn’t play in 2020 because of the pandemic, stemmed after he took part and excelled in their summer camp back in July.
“Jeff has great game speed,” Zenk said. “There isn’t a single step he takes that’s not 100%. He was one of the players from that 2017 team that made us special.”
The Rebels have won two of their past three games after an 0-8 start, in which four of their losses were by eight points or less, including two games to nationally ranked opponents.
“It’s a program with a new staff that’s implementing a winning culture,” Weimer said. “It’s something I’m proud to be a part of.”