Panthers DEs honored
Rashad Weaver and Patrick Jones II earn AP All-American spots.
Rashad Weaver and Patrick Jones II made up the top defensive end duo in college football this year. If any more confirmation was needed, Monday provided it.
Weaver and Jones were both named to The Associated Press All- America team. Weaver nabbed a spot on the first team, while Jones earned a slot on the second team.
Prior to Weaver, Pitt’s most recent first-team AP All-American was Aaron Donald in 2013. Running back James Conner and return specialist Quadree Henderson were named AP AllAmericans in 2014 and 2016, respectively, but both were second-teamers.
Jones and Weaver are the first pair of Pitt teammates to be named AP All-Americans in the same year since offensive tackle Randy Dixon and defensive end Tony Woods in 1986. Weaver and Jones combined for 16.5 sacks this season. That total is the highest by teammates in the ACC and tied for first in Football Bowl Subdivision with Iowa State defensive ends Will McDonald IV and JaQuan Bailey.
Jones and Weaver’s combined 27.5 tackles for loss ranks third among defensive line combinations. Miami’s Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips lead the way at 30 combined TFLs, followed by TCU’s Khari Coleman and Ochaun Mathis’ 29.
McDonald, Coleman, Mathis and Roche were shut out from the AP All-American teams, while Bailey made the third team and Phillips joined Jones on the second team. Weaver was partnered with Coastal Carolina defensive end Tarron Jackson ( 14 TFLs, eight sacks).
Weaver tallied 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in nine games. His 0.83 sacks and 1.6 TFLs per game averages led the ACC. Weaver, a Mayo Clinic comeback player of the year semifinalist, recorded his impressive campaign after missing the 2019 season with a torn ACL.
Jones, who tallied 12 TFLs and 8.5 sacks in Weaver’s absence last year, built on that breakout season in 2020. The former two-star recruit had 13 TFLs and led the ACC (and ranked fourth in FBS) with nine sacks.
Weaver and Jones could both be selected in the first couple rounds of the 2021 NFL draft. In November, ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr., ranked Jones and Weaver as his fourth- and fifth-best defensive ends in the class, respectively.
Weaver and Jones, as well as safety Damar Hamlin, have accepted invitations to play at the Senior Bowl before preparing for the NFL combine. The Senior Bowl will be played Jan. 30 and televised by NFL Network.