Weaver Gains National Recognition

February 1, 2007

PITTSBURG, Kan – Southwestern Oklahoma State University football player Patrick Weaver was one of 165 players from across the nation to earn some form of All-American honors announced this week by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.

Weaver, a 5-8, 175 pound sophomore from Oklahoma City, was voted to the Gazette’s honorable mention squad as a kick returner. Weaver was the only SWOSU player selected and had earlier in the month been chosen to the magazine’s second team all-Southwest Region squad along with offensive line teammate Austin Ellis, a third team all-region pick.

Weaver returned both a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in 2006. He led the LSC in punt returns averaging 13.8 yards on 17 returns and was among the league’s best averaging 26.1 yards on 12 kickoff returns. He returned the opening kickoff 98 yards against East Central and brought a punt back 79 yards against Tarleton State for a touchdown.

This mark’s the 19th Don Hansen, a recognized authority on small college football, has selected an NCAA Division II All-America team. The national publication selected All-Region teams with the first team and second team All-Region players from each of the four geographic regions (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest) comprising the national ballot, which was voted upon by a 25-member national panel.

Players from 79 of the 150 football-playing schools in Division II earned All-America accolades. Grand Valley State led the way by placing four players on the first-team squad.