Son Of Utah Football Great Named Top Athlete In 2028 Class
Aug 20, 2025, 4:10 PM
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Eric Weddle #20 of the Los Angeles Rams speaks to the media during a practice for Super Bowl LVI at at California Lutheran University on February 11, 2022 in Thousand Oaks, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Gaige Weddle, the son of Super Bowl champion and former Utah Utes safety Eric Weddle, is the No. 1 athlete and third-ranked player in the class of 2028 according to Rivals.
The younger Weddle is a two-way star at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California.
Listed at 6’2 and 185 pounds, Weddle already has some of the renowned defensive anticipation skills his father employed while patrolling NFL secondaries for 14 seasons. He simultaneously is excelling at quarterback and is fast becoming one of the state’s top offensive talents heading into his sophomore season.
Gaige Weddle (@GaigeLWeddle), a two-way standout at Rancho Bernardo HS & the son of Utah Utes legend Eric Weddle, debuts as the No. 1 ranked athlete in the 2028 recruiting class according to Rivals:https://t.co/i7swpkvVvN
— Cole Forsman (@CGForsman) August 20, 2025
Athlete Gaige Weddle (No. 3) is one of the best overall football players of the group at this early stage. The younger son of former All-Pro safety Eric Weddle is a two-way star at San Diego Rancho Bernardo. Weddle lines up at quarterback and safety and shows outstanding two-way playmaking ability. He is a rangy defender with ball skills and highly advanced tackling ability. On offense, he rushed for 635 yards and nine touchdowns, while throwing for 12 more scores through the air. Listed at around 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Weddle looks to have a projectable frame and could grow into a top defender with positional versatility. – Rivals Charles Power
Rivals lists Weddle as a four-star recruit and the 20th best prospect nationwide.
Gaige Weddle, QB/S – Class of 2028
247Sports reports 11 schools have already made offers.
Know the outcome wasn't what we wanted, but I will remember this day with my son for the rest of my life. 13 yrs in and get to share it with him is pretty special. Having him on the field with my teammates and playing before our game is 1 of a kind. Love u BUBBAS aka 12-GAIGE. pic.twitter.com/06lVTNgW0Q
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) September 30, 2019
Weddle’s first offer came from Utah in November 2024.
He has since received offers from Arizona State, BYU, SMU, Tennessee, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington, Oregon State, San Diego State, and San Jose State.
Weddle averaged 7.5 tackles per game and had an interception as a freshman. He completed 63.2 percent of his passes (74-of-117) for 1,115 yards, 12 touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Eric Weddle at the University of Utah
Weddle joined the Utes in 2003 after a stellar prep career at Alta Loma High School in Alta Loma, California.
He was named a first-team Freshman All-American by Scripps/FWAA and College Sports Report.com after starting nine games at corner as a true freshman.
Weddle played in all 12 games that season, leading Utah with three interceptions and tying for the Mountain West Conference lead with four fumbles forced. His four sacks were second on the team.
He converted to safety as a sophomore and never looked back.
Weddle earned second-team All-MW after recording 75 tackles, four interceptions, and five pass breakups. He was tied for the team lead with four double-digit tackle games.
He was named the MW Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. The junior was named the Emerald Bowl Defensive MVP after holding future NFL star Calvin Johnson to two catches for 19 yards.
Weddle will go down as one of the most versatile players in Utah football history. During his three years at Utah, he took snaps at strong safety, cornerback, nickel back, quarterback, returned punts, punted, held for the field goal kicker, and played safety on the kickoff coverage teams.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
