Weedon a quarterbacks worst nightmare

Joe Weedon cannot fathom all the publicity his son has been getting recently. First people are telling him they've seen Tyler on TV, then others are telling him he's in the Baltimore Sun, and now a reporter from Rivals.com is calling? It just seems like a bit much.

"I can't believe it," Weedon said. "It's crazy."

Get used to it, Mr. Weedon. Your son, Tyler Weedon , is about to be hearing from people a lot more important than a few newspaper reporters and local television stations. We're talking football coaches - big football coaches. Like Ralph Friedgen at Maryland and Dave Wannstedt.at Pittsburgh.

"He's getting mail from the top programs," said Catonsville coach Rich Hambor. "Maryland and Pitt have already talked to me about him; they're very interested in him. He's on all the watch lists. He's getting invitations to the games and the phone calls are going to be starting soon."

Tyler Weedon is only a junior, but last season the Catonsville High middle linebacker tallied 148 tackles and was named First Team All-Metro. He's started every game at linebacker since his freshman year and has since added blocking fullback to his repertoire. He's a husky, robust 5 feet 11 and 230 pounds, runs a 4.75 40-yard dash, benches 385 pounds and squats 500 pounds. Plus, he's a quarterback's worst nightmare.

"He's got a motor that just won't quit on offense and defense," Hambor said. "He doesn't get tired, he doesn't ask for breaks and he won't come out of a game. And oh my, he loves to hit."

That was evident in Catonsville's first game this season against Pikesville, a 53-27 Catonsville shellacking. Weedon terrorized his opponents to the tune of four sacks and double-digit tackles. Pikesville tried everything to stop him, including lining up in the shotgun, double teaming him and running away from him.

"When other teams start game-planning around you, that's the highest compliment you can pay somebody," Hambor said. "Whoever we play, their goal is to get him out of his game."

But it didn't matter what adjustments Pikesville made. When their quarterback lined up in shotgun, Weedon knifed into the backfield and recorded two sacks on up-the-middle blitzes. When Pikesville tried to run options and sweeps to the outside Weedon chased the runners down like a hungry lion pursuing a helpless elk.

"I want to make the tackle every play," Weedon said. "I don't let anyone stop me. I'm pretty quick off the ball and I like to hit hard."

And that's just on the defensive side of the ball. As a fullback he repeatedly rammed the Pikesville defensive line, driving them into the turf.

"We ran the same isolation play six times in a row and each time he just laid out the defensive tackle," Hambor said. "He went up against the same defensive tackle and won every match."

Weedon has been playing football practically his entire life. Thanks to his early start he's developed keen instincts and can read a play before it happens. Thus, when he entered high school he immediately started on varsity and has recorded back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons in his freshman and sophomore years. Now that he's a junior, he's taking on an even greater role.

"I pretty much run my defense now," said Weedon, who admits leadership isn't the easiest thing for him. "Everyone on the team listens to me. I stand out on the team."

Weedon doesn't say much, preferring to let his work ethic and accomplishments speak for themselves. But that's one of the reasons his teammates respect him - he remains humble when he could very well act like the prima donna "big man on campus."

Every once in awhile, however, Weedon will exercise his vocal chords. Before the season opener the Catonsville players riled up the fans with their signature battle cry. The normally stoic and reserved Weedon got caught up in the pregame banter and joined right in.

"We started screaming and getting everyone worked up," Weedon said. "Sometimes I even lead the cry."

If he has led the battle cry before Hambor sure hasn't heard him. According to the coach, Weedon "is pretty quiet. He just goes out there, knocks the other guy down and helps him back up."

Sounds simple. And in some ways it is. Weedon may be the leader of the defense, but his main jobs are to rush the quarterback and track down running backs. Hardly any real cerebral activity required there. He doesn't drop back in pass coverage much, and apparently he's not one of those middle linebackers who barks out signals like Ray Lewis.

"The pass coverage is definitely something he can pick up," Hambor said. "He also needs to learn all the other positions on the field. He has the ability to be a captain or signal caller at the next level, and when he gets all the defense in his mind he'll be even more prepared."

In order to play middle linebacker in college it's essential he refine those two areas. But recruiters are already enamored with his pass rush ability, regardless of his coverage skills. Besides early interest from Maryland and Pitt, Weedon is also receiving mail from Rutgers, Notre Dame, Penn State and a number of other Division I programs. Hambor, however, warned not to get too excited … yet.

"I don't think he's a Division I player right now today," Hambor said. "He's got two years to grow. But he has the tools and the work ethic to play at that level."

If Weedon gets the opportunity, he'd relish the chance to play for his hometown Terrapins in three years. He won't be picky - any scholarship will do. But he's not selling his abilities short either.

"I believe I have enough talent to play Division I," Weedon said. "I work hard and I want to be the best."