JJ Weaver is a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award

Once again, a Kentucky Wildcat is being recognized for his character on and off the field. Senior outside linebacker JJ Weaver is one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, which celebrates the player in college football who most exhibits exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship. Former Cat Josh Paschal took home the award in 2021.

On the field, Weaver is a two-time team captain, totaling 22 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry this season. Off it, he’s spearheaded several projects through his non-profit organization “The Perfect Fit,” including collaborating with Nike on a six-finger football glove for others born with an extra finger and hosting a bike drive in his hometown of Louisville.

This fall, Weaver started a peer-led grief counseling group on UK’s campus to help student-athletes suffering from mental and emotional problems, a project close to his heart after an incredibly difficult year. From July 2020 to August 2021, Weaver lost his father to homicide, sustained a season-ending knee injury, and then lost his beloved high school football coach to cancer. He will graduate from UK in December with a degree in community leadership and development.

“JJ’s just a great young man,” Mark Stoops said yesterday on the SEC Teleconference. “He’s been with our program for some time and he’s one of those players and people that you’re proud of, that’s been through some tough things and faced adversity in football, had his injuries and different things, and then in life. He has persevered through that, pushed through that, and has been successful. So we’re very proud of him and the leadership that he’s shown.”

Three finalists will be named for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award on Wednesday, December 13. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on February 15, 2024.

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Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award Semifinalists

• DeWayne Carter (Duke)
• Matthew Cindric (California)
• Brian Dooley (Eastern Michigan)
• Jordan Travis (Florida State)
• Dylan Leonard (Georgia Tech)
• Jack Freeman (Houston)
• Isaiah Williams (Illinois)
• J.J. Weaver (Kentucky)
• Josh Williams (LSU)
• Blake Corum (Michigan)
• Xavier McDonald (Navy)
• Joe Shmiko (North Carolina State)
• Sam Hartman (Notre Dame)
• Cade Stover (Ohio State)
• Caleb Williams (Southern Cal)
• Joe Milton III (Tennessee)
• Tony Bradford, Jr. (Texas Tech)
• Mike Hollins (Virginia)
• Zach Frazier (West Virginia)
• Chimere Dike (Wisconsin)

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