Pitt's Rashad Weaver recovered from knee injury, ready to take next step

Rashad Weaver retweeted the slight against his teammates without comment, which says something about Pitt’s senior defensive end.

It merely was a listing of someone’s ranking of the top 10 defensive lines in college football. Clemson’s line is No. 1 on the list for 2020. Pitt’s Coastal division rival Miami is No. 5. Penn State is No. 8.

Top 10 Defensive Lines for 2020: @BR_CFB

1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Ohio St
5. Miami Fl
6. Florida
7. Oregon
8. Penn St
9. Utah
10. Wisconsin

— CFB Hype (@CFB_Hype) February 27, 2020

Six months before the start of the season, no one knows which teams have the best of anything. But Pitt, a team that led the nation in sacks per game last season (3.9) and returns all but one player from that unit, was omitted.

The day Weaver returned to practice for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury last August, he talked about it. But only when asked. And in a calm, reasonable tone, which is his nature.

“I guess those are the top defenses, and they have something we don’t,” Weaver said. “They have some players that we don’t, but I guess we’ll see in the fall when the pads come on.

“I just know what we have in here. And that’s guys who are ready to play and have great technique, some of the best players in the country.”

And, perhaps, Weaver will make the line better.

“We did good without him,” safety Damar Hamlin said, “but having him out there is like having another captain out there, having another cheat code out there.”

After a sophomore season in 2018 when Weaver started all 14 games and led Pitt with 6½ sacks, 14 tackles for a loss and three fumble recoveries, he appeared ready last summer to step to the next level. Perhaps pave a path to the 2020 NFL Draft.

But early in camp, he tore the ACL in his right knee and was lost for the season.

It was a sad day for the team when coach Pat Narduzzi made the announcement, but it also opened doors for others.

In Weaver’s absence, younger ends Deslin Alexandre, Habakkuk Baldonado and John Morgan combined for 11½ sacks. On the other side, Patrick Jones II had 8½ on his way to second-team All-ACC honors.

Meanwhile, Jaylen Twyman was first-team All-ACC with 10½ sacks. Next to him this season will be Keyshon Camp, who was lost for most of the season with a knee injury. But Camp opened camp as a starter after making 11 starts in his two previous seasons.

“Anytime 17 and 10 are out there, you feel a lot better,” Narduzzi said at the outset of spring drills, referring to Weaver and Camp by their jersey numbers.

In deference to the injuries, Weaver and Camp will be limited in what they do this spring. Coaches and trainers will watch them closely for the next six months to avoid setbacks.

But Weaver said that will change in the fall.

“I think I can just step in and come back to where I left off,” he said. “Everybody who was at camp and was on the team knows where I was at before I got hurt, and they know where I’m at now.

“I didn’t lose a step, and it’s just going to keep getting better until August when I need to be ready. I’ll keep bringing that knowledge.”

Before and after he had knee surgery, Weaver remained active, standing with the team at practice and games, offering advice, suggestions and encouragement, as needed.

“Sometimes, you just have to bring the juice and hype those guys up,” he said, “Because when (the offense) turns to (faster) tempo and you’re tired, you need somebody in your ear who will help you get through the next couple plays before you can get rest.”

He said watching was difficult, especially when the team made its first walk into Heinz Field for the opener and later at the Penn State game. “You know that’s the last time,” he said.

Weaver said he felt like getting back on the field, long before he was cleared by doctors.

“Naturally, even a couple weeks in, you always feel like you can move around and play,” he said. “Sometimes, you are humbled when you try to do things you could before, and it’s a little harder. You have to think about it and it’s not comfortable.

“Toward the bowl game, I could run around and do a little cutting and planting.”

The easy part for him now will be the defensive line drills in practice. The toughest tests will be in the weight room.

“The football stuff is fluid and happening,” Weaver said, “but sometimes when I’m asked to do specific stuff in the weight room, it’s little harder because they’re testing me and wanting me to prove that (the knee) is ready.”

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