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2020 NFL Draft: Testing will make or break Cal linebacker Evan Weaver

By Cory Kinnan

CORVALLIS, OR - OCTOBER 20: Linebacker Evan Weaver #89 of the California Golden Bears celebrates a tackle during the first half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OR - OCTOBER 20: Linebacker Evan Weaver #89 of the California Golden Bears celebrates a tackle during the first half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 23: Evan Weaver #89 of the California Golden Bears reacts after he tackled Cameron Scarlett #22 of the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 23: Evan Weaver #89 of the California Golden Bears reacts after he tackled Cameron Scarlett #22 of the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Evan Weaver: a cerebral tank

As far as a cerebral linebacker goes, Evan Weaver is one of the smartest guys on the football field week in and week out from both sidelines. Weaver has the innate ability to read and diagnose a play with elite ability as his mental dexterity is off the charts; this trait will absolutely translate to the next level as the quarterback of the defense.

While he may not test off the charts at the combine and slip as a result, Weaver plays fast on film, especially in pursuit of the ball. He cannot move parallel at a quick rate when in pursuit of the opposition, but he takes great angles in pursuit and has a nonstop motor as he tracks down opposing ball carriers.

Once Weaver has engaged with the ball carrier, a tackle is inevitable as he is as sure as they come when wrapping up an opponent. In the open field, Weaver has the ability to breakdown in space, and bring the ball carrier to the ground; between the tackles, it is a sight to behold if Weaver were to miss a tackle, because the probability is low.

Weaver has elite leadership qualities, and stands tall in the middle of the Golden Bears’ defense as he dissects an opposing offense and reads his keys well. Next we move to Weaver’s versatility in coverage.

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