PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The defensive ends that helped Pitt lead the ACC in sacks are ending their Pitt careers, Patrick Jones and Rashad Weaver said on social media they are entering the NFL Draft.
The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native, Weaver said football is the hardest thing he’s ever been through citing his rehab from a 2019 knee injury during training camp. Weaver said he was determined to play well for his ‘Pitt brothers and coaches’.
Weaver said working on his MBA while playing college football taught him how to plan. It led him to this decision.
“Knowing that our regular season was scheduled to be over on November 28, and bowl games being very uncertain,” Weaver said on social media. “I made a detailed plan to begin post-season recovery and training the first week of December.”
“It was a very difficult decision, but knowing what it’s like to potentially lose all your dreams due to a knee injury in practice. I ultimately decided to stick to my original plans to best prepare myself for the combine.”
Weaver thanked his teammates, coaches, fans and the university for all the support.
The defensive end leaves Pitt with 17 career sacks, 34.5 tackles for loss and 110 tackles. Weaver also led the ACC in fumble recoveries in 2018, collecting two while forcing another against Penn State that season. Weaver also had a pair of tackles for loss and a sack in the upset of number two Miami in 2017.
Jones leaves with similar stats, 21.5 sacks, 32 tackles for loss and 112 total tackles. Jones led the conference this year in sacks and was 7th nationally. Jones was ACC Defensive LIneman of the Week last year after six tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles against Duke.
He also thanked all at Pitt including his coaches and trainers since high school and all who ever believed in him.
"To my teammates: thank you all for choosing me to be your captain. It truly meant the world to me to wear that 'C' on my chest this season and lead y'all boys. I didn't take that honor lightly. I made lifetime memories with my brothers and I'll forever be grateful for each and every one of you!"
