JJ Weaver nominated for Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year

Kentucky’s elite edge rusher is up for a prestigious postseason honor. JJ Weaver has been nominated for Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year.

Weaver has succeeded in 2021 despite obstacles on and off the field. Entering his second year of college, his father was murdered in a home invasion. Months later when Weaver was finally hitting his stride on the field, he tore his ACL against Florida. He also recently lost his high school coach, Rob Reader, to cancer.

Weaver received redemption Saturday night against the Gators. Less than a year after he injured his knee while covering Kyle Pitts, he picked off a pass intended for a Florida tight end to set up what would be the game-winning touchdown for Kentucky.

“This game meant the world to me,” he said after the Wildcats defeated No. 10 Florida 20-13. “I tore my ACL, then my father passed. I had to show off for my team tonight. I told them, ‘Believe in me. This is a game I really need.’ I’ve been down the last year, so this game was more than a football game to me. This game was like the world, for real.”

Through five games this year, Weaver has recorded 14 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.

All of the nominees are inspiring student-athletes from all levels of college football who have overcome injury, illness, or other challenges. They are recognized as Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Nominees by a panel of writers, editors, and sports information directors from CoSIDA, AP and Touchdown Illustrated. In December, three of the 30 nominees will be chosen as winners of the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award and will be recognized at a special ceremony during the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1,  2022, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.  CoSIDA members can nominate football student-athletes until Nov. 1, 2021 at Comeback-Player.com.

If Weaver wins the award, he would not be the first Wildcat. Offensive guard Kenneth Horsey took home the Comeback Player of the Year hardware last year. Horsey underwent open-heart surgery as a high school senior and never wavered until he became a starter on the Big Blue Wall.