Weaver led the Bobcats in sacks (6.0) and TFLs (13.0) in 2023.
The Ohio Bobcats’ 2023 defense was a sight to behold.
Ohio finished sixth nationally in scoring defense at 15.8 points allowed per game and fourth in total defense by yielding an average of 274 yards. The Bobcats ranked 10th in team tackles for loss and 16th in total sacks, distinguished among the elite defenses in a multitude of categories.
Now, one of the stars of that unit is off to the transfer portal. Defensive end Bradley Weaver was the team’s leader in sacks (6.0) and tackles for loss (13.0) during the 2023 season. On Tuesday, Weaver announced his entry to the transfer portal via Twitter.
— Bradley Weaver (@Bweaver_34) April 23, 2024
Weaver first arrived at Ohio for the 2021 season after a standout high school career at Hilliard Darby High School — roughly 90 miles northwest of Athens, OH. Weaver played sparingly as a true freshman, logging 10 tackles and one tackle for loss across four games. He remained a reserve defensive end as a redshirt freshman in 2022, collecting 14 tackles and two fumble recoveries on an Ohio team that captured a MAC East title and Arizona Bowl victory — finishing 10-4. During that season, he earned his first career start at Iowa State, but it wasn’t until 2023 when he blossomed into a full-time starter.
Weaver finished first on Ohio with 6.0 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss in 2023, ranking eighth and third in those categories in the MAC, respectively. Led by a vaunted defense, the Bobcats attained 10 wins for the second consecutive year and defeated Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. That postseason contest was arguably Weaver’s best to date, and he recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble as Ohio jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead — and eventually, a 41-21 victory.
Ohio recently wrapped up its spring game on Saturday, Apr. 20 as the team enters year four of the Tim Albin era. Weaver, who participated in spring practices, retains two years of eligibility as he enters the transfer portal. The Bobcats also lost defensive end Vonnie Watkins to the NFL Draft, and defensive tackles Rayyan Buell (Colorado) and Tristan Cox (undetermined) to the transfer portal. Thus, there will be a significant reshuffling of cards on the Ohio defensive line as it gears up for 2024.