Tennessee was the first major school to offer Weatherd last spring as he started to emerge as one of the top junior college linebackers in the country and he quickly committed to the Vols after receiving an offer. But, Tennessee's offer seemed to get the ball rolling as Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas A&M and others ended up offering the versatile defender.
"I've been concentrating on my strength more than anything, my strength and my speed. That's what I've been mostly focusing on," Weatherd said. "Also, watching myself on film and making sure I don't make the same mistakes as I did in college and high school when I get there."
At 6-foot-4, 233-pounds, Weatherd said the film work has also been a big help in him taking the next step in his game. "I did it to get a head start and get ahead of the game and everyone else and not make the same mistakes they did the previous season,"Weatherd explained. "Of course, with speed it's easier to make up those mistakes but you still don't want them. I've been watching different coverages and different pre-snap reads to know what the offense is doing. That's what you need to succeed and know what to expect before the play happens. It will help tremendously as well."
"I can cover and I can blitz and I can be a hybrid if they need me, but first and foremost I'll be a linebacker," Weatherd said. "If I need to do what Curt Maggitt does, I can do that. I think it will be effective with both of us on the line at the same time.
