Utah almost feels like home, Gaige Weddle is determined to build his own legacy
Aug 28, 2026, 1:41 PM | Updated: Aug 31, 2026, 9:50 am
Gaige Weddle leading Rancho Bernardo. Photo courtesy by Gaige Weddle.
SALT LAKE CITY — “Weddle” is one of the most recognizable names in Utah football history.
That’s because Eric Weddle developed into an All-American with the Utes before enjoying a highly successful 14-year NFL career that included six Pro Bowl selections and culminated in a Super Bowl championship.
Now, his son, Gaige, has emerged as one of the top prospects in the entire 2028 recruiting class.
Weddle has been a star for Rancho Bernardo High School, with production that reflects his uncommon ability and versatility.
Alot to improve on for next week. We stuck together all 4 Qtrs…. Huge win. https://t.co/1R8upMQiod
— Gaige Weddle (@GaigeLWeddle) August 24, 2026
Gaige Weddle leading the Rancho Bernardo Broncos
As a sophomore in 2025, he threw for 2,224 yards and 19 touchdowns, ran for another 679 yards and 10 more touchdowns. And, by the way, he also tallied 101 tackles on defense.
Yet, two-way quarterback and defensive back entered this past offseason with a substantial list of technical priorities to improve upon.
On defense, among many things, he wanted to improve his footwork and handplacement man coverage, as well as his eye discipline when aligned outside.
On the offensive side of the ball, he focused primarily on developing his understanding of passing concepts to improve his ability to go through progressions and reads.
However, Weddle’s biggest goal was not tied to a technique or even a position.
“The biggest thing for me was wanting to step up into a leadership role,” Weddle said. “I really tried to work on what it means to be a good leader, to carry myself in a different way and to be the guy that can genuinely lead a team.”
The next step, in his mind, is turning that individual production into something larger for Rancho Bernardo.
“We want to win CIF, and I know if I can inspire the other guys around me, then I feel like we’ve got a shot,” Weddle said. “Personally, success for me will be leadership because it’s what I emphasized all offseason. If I can step up as a leader, it’s just going to help me moving forward.”
Utah’s relationships continue to resonate
One game into his junior season, and Weddle’s recruitment already includes the who’s who of college football, as well as an obvious connection to Utah.
Dad will soon be inducted into Utah’s Ring of Honor during the Utes’ Sept. 12 game against Arkansas, and Gaige plans to be in attendance.
The family connection gives Utah a history no other contender can reproduce. Still, Gaige said the program’s position in his recruitment has been built through his own experiences and relationships in Salt Lake City.
“The biggest thing for me is the relationships at Utah,” Weddle said. “It’s the hardest thing to say it’s not a factor at all, because they’re just so strong. It almost feels like home.”
That feeling was established during his first trip to campus last year.
“I told my dad that the first time we went,” Weddle said. “I just told him, ‘There’s a special feeling there. There is an aura to it. I just want to get back whenever I leave.’ Then, of course, they’re a high-caliber team, and I think they’re only going to get better.”
Utah’s challenge is to make sure that feeling continues to belong to Gaige, not merely to the Weddle family name.
“My dad’s legacy is my dad’s legacy. I’m trying to create my own. So for me, it’s all about the relationships and focusing on how I can become the best and how the coaches can help me get there.” – Gaige Weddle
Gaige acknowledged that his dad has been extremely helpful throughout the process. Yet, he’s also been someone that has encouraged him to make his own decision, which Gaige has embraced.
“If I were to commit to Utah, it would not be because of my dad,” he shared. “It will be because of the people there and the relationships I have with them. That’s how I’ll weigh things with all these programs.”
National contenders set a demanding standard
Along with Utah, Weddle’s top suitors include Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Miami. Other programs like Arizona State, BYU, and UCLA among others, continue to push for him as well. But the top four alone will make Weddle’s recruitment incredibly competitive for Utah.
Weddle shared that what stands out most about those programs are how they routinely develop and send players to the NFL, especially after he got an up close look at how these programs operate.
Spring visits gave him an opportunity to look beyond the logos and study how those programs function on the day-to-day. The two that made the strongest impressions were Georgia and Miami, due to the intensity and structure of their practices.
“Going to all the spring practices, it’s very professional, especially at Georgia,” Weddle said. “Before my dad said anything, I told him ‘this feels like how NFL meetings are run.’ And the practices were high intensity, really going at it.”
Weddle then highlighted another dynamic that stood out about these programs beyond the practices. He recognized alignment in how coaches operated from the top down.
“They get it done, and it’s the way they get it done,” Weddle said. “There’s alignment from the top down with the coaches, they all are in tune with the system, the scheme, the techniques, all of it worked hand in hand together. That’s mainly why those schools stand out.”
That’s a pretty telling observation, it’s clear that Weddle is evaluating much more than just relationships. As one of the top prospects, there’s a desire to compete against the best and to be in a situation where you feel your development to become the best is prioritized.
Paying close attention to how each coaching staff teaches, develops and operates—that’s next level maturity, and will be key factors in determining where he feels he can best maximize his ability as a quarterback, defensive back and leader.
But Weddle’s decision is a ways away and his priority is in the here and now with his Rancho Bernardo squad. The main objective for him is figuring out how to lead the Broncos to another victory, then another one, and hopefully many more than that.
“We want to win the league, then we want to win CIF, that would be a huge stride for my high school and us as a team,” Weddle said. “Growth as a player is just being dominant and becoming a very confident player.”
The Bottom Line
Weddle’s recruitment will continue to draw national attention, and his connection to Utah guarantees every visit to Salt Lake City will carry additional meaning.
But the theme of his offseason applies to both parts of his future: He wants to become a player capable of leading others while building an identity that belongs entirely to him.
Utah’s developed very strong relationships with him, which will keep them in the thick of his recruitment. But how the program develops and evolves under Morgan Scalley could be key to their chances in a heated competition.
