The all-time Mountain West Conference sack leader departs the blue turf in Boise for sunny South Florida. With the 164th pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected defensive end Curtis Weaver.
Any way the stats are cut, Weaver's production jumps off the page. He played 1,780 snaps in three years at Boise State, picking up 38 sacks in the process. His pass-rushing put Mountain West quarterbacks in constant peril as he logged 62 total pressures the last two seasons. His Pro Football Focus grade over those two years was in the elite category – 91.0 and 91.3.
It's difficult to envision a 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive lineman carrying a child-like demeanor, but Weaver brings an infectious energy that galvanizes his teammates.
"He's just a big kid," Boise State safety DeAndre Pierce said.
"Goofball," fellow Boise State defensive end Chase Hatada said to describe Weaver in one word.
But don't mistake Weaver for any funny business on the field. Once he crosses the white line, he turns it on.
"You'll get goofy Curtis, but once we're between the lines, strap on that helmet, it's going to be a long day," Weaver said."
The Boise coaches appreciate the on-field demeanor and the production he brought to the Broncos football team, starting with Defensive Line Coach Spencer Danielson.
"It's the craziest thing I've ever seen, to watch Weaver's shift in personality the second a competition is on the table, after which he goes back to normal," Danielson said.
Boise State defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding acknowledged that switch, but also detailed Weaver's leadership and football acumen; a player that knew the why behind the Broncos defensive structure.
"Everyone talks about him joking around and then what he does on the field, but he's got a lot of leadership qualities," Schmedding said. "The thing people don't talk about is how smart of a football player he is. As a coach, you've got to make sure you challenge him in the room. He can tell you what everyone on defense does, he can make all the secondary checks, do all of those things."
On the field, Weaver comes equipped with plenty of promising traits both as a pass rusher and run defender. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein notes the athletic ability and football I.Q. in his report.
"Weaver is a naturally instinctive counter-rusher who uses synchronized hands/feet to attack both inside and outside edges as a rusher. He plays with football intelligence, his hands and feet work in unison and he plays past blockers with his eyes."
That slippery arsenal of moves, and play recognition didn't just produce sacks for Weaver at Boise State, he was a regular in the backfield against the run. With heavy hands, balance and body control, and enough power to collapse the edge, Weaver racked up 47.5 tackles for loss in three years.
Weaver added a pair of interceptions, 72 total tackles three forced fumbles and six passes batted down to round out his impressive resume. His college career culminated in All-American honors from CBS Sports.
