Mike Weber (American football)

Mike Weber
refer to caption
Weber with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1997-08-25) August 25, 1997 (age 27)
Detroit, Michigan U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:211 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:Cass Tech (Detroit, Michigan)
College:Ohio State (2015–2018)
Position:Running back
NFL draft:2019 / round: 7 / pick: 218
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Mike Weber (born August 25, 1997) is an American professional football running back. He played college football at Ohio State. He has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL), the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL), the Orlando Guardians of the XFL, and the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Early life

Weber attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. As a senior, he rushed for 2,268 yards with 26 touchdowns, despite missing three games to injury.[1]

He averaged 10.1-yards per carry, while helping his team reach the state's semi-finals. He rushed for a state record 404 yards and five touchdowns in the regional championship win over Chippewa Valley High School. He was named All-state, U.S. Army All-American and was a co-recipient of the Detroit player of the year award.

College career

Weber originally accepted a football scholarship from the University of Michigan, but changed his decision to enroll at Ohio State University instead.[2][3]

After redshirting his first year in 2015, Weber took over as the starting running back role in 2016, replacing Ezekiel Elliott who had graduated.[4] In his first career game he rushed for 136 yards on 19 carries against Bowling Green State University. He led the team with 1,096 rushing yards on 182 carries (6.5-yard average) and 9 rushing touchdowns in 13 starts. At the end of the season, he was named the Thompson–Randle El Freshman of the Year and second-team All-Big Ten.[5]

As a sophomore, he suffered a left hamstring injury during summer workouts that kept him out most of training camp and most of the season .[6] He got healthy in the latter part of the season, finishing with 101 carries for 626 yards (6.2-yard average) and still led the team with 10 Touchdowns

As a junior, he rotated with Jk Dobbins while appearing in 13 games. He registered 172 carries for 954 yards (6.0 yard average) and 8 touchdowns. He switched his jersey number from 25 to 5 (the number he wore when he played little league football in Detroit) for the contest against the University of Michigan, returning to his former number for the team's final two games.

On December 16, 2018, Weber announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declared for the 2019 NFL draft.[7]

Statistics

Ohio State Buckeyes
Season Rushing Receiving
Att Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
2015
Redshirt Redshirted
2016 182 1,096 6.0 9 23 91 4.0 0
2017 101 626 6.2 10 10 94 9.4 0
2018 172 1,050 6.1 5 21 112 5.3 1
NCAA career totals 455 2,772 6.1 24 54 297 5.5 1

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash Vertical jump Bench press
5 ft 9+5⁄8 in
(1.77 m) 		211 lb
(96 kg) 		29+3⁄4 in
(0.76 m) 		9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.47 s 33.5 in
(0.85 m)		 22 reps
All values from NFL Combine

Dallas Cowboys

Weber was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (218th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.[8] He was waived on August 31, 2019, and was re-signed to the practice squad.[9][10] His practice squad contract with the team expired on January 6, 2020.[11]

Kansas City Chiefs

On January 8, 2020, Weber was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.[12] Weber won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs after they defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20. He re-signed with the Chiefs on February 5, 2020.[13] On May 4, 2020, Weber was waived by the Chiefs, after the team drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round and signed free agent DeAndre Washington.[14]

Green Bay Packers

On November 11, 2020, Weber was signed to the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.[15] He was elevated to the active roster on November 21 and 28 for the team's weeks 11 and 12 games against the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[16][17] On January 25, 2021, Weber signed a reserve/futures contract with the Packers.[18] On June 9, 2021, Weber was waived by the Packers.[19]

New York Giants

On July 21, 2021, Weber signed with the New York Giants.[20] He was placed on injured reserve on August 4, 2021, with a hip flexor.[21] He was released on August 13.

New Jersey Generals

Weber was drafted by the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL) in the 27th round of the 2022 USFL draft in February 2022.[22] He suffered a knee injury before the start of the season,[23] and was transferred to the team's practice squad on April 14, 2022.[24] He was released on April 19, 2022.[25]

Orlando Guardians

On November 2, 2023, Weber signed with the Orlando Guardians of the XFL.[26] The Guardians folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[27]

Montreal Alouettes

Weber signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on January 12, 2024.[28] He was released on May 28, 2024.[29]

References

  1. ^ Purcell, Jared (February 4, 2015). "Cass Tech running back Mike Weber explains choosing Ohio State over Michigan". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  2. ^ Snyder, Mark. "Ohio State's Mike Weber: Michigan rivalry nothing personal". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  3. ^ Wasserman, Ari (June 13, 2015). "'It was really tragic': Ohio State RB Mike Weber finally discusses recruiting controversy". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  4. ^ Rabinowitz, Bill. "Mike Weber ready to run with starting role". IndeOnline. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  5. ^ "2016 Big Ten Individual Award Winners" (PDF). grfx.cstv.com. Big Ten Conference. November 30, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  6. ^ Lesmerises, Doug (September 11, 2017). "Mike Weber's hamstring injury and what it means for the Ohio State running back's season". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  7. ^ Helwagen, Steve (December 16, 2018). "Mike Weber becomes latest Buckeye to declare for 2019 NFL Draft". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  8. ^ Halprin, Dave (April 27, 2019). "The Dallas Cowboys select RB Mike Weber with the 218th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft". Blogging The Boys. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  9. ^ Helman, David (August 31, 2019). "Several Young Draft Picks Among Cowboys' Cuts". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  10. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 2, 2019). "Initial Practice Squad Includes New QB, TE, WR". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  11. ^ @HBalzer721 (January 7, 2020). "Cowboys practice-squad contracts expired Monday: G/T Tyler Jones; RB Mike Weber" (Tweet). Retrieved January 9, 2020 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Chiefs sign former Cowboys running back to practice squad". Arrowhead Pride. SB Nation. January 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Chiefs add 9 practice squad players on reserve/future contracts". Chiefs Wire. February 5, 2020.
  14. ^ "Report: Chiefs to waive TE Alize Mack, RB Mike Weber". Chiefs Wire. May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  15. ^ "Packers sign Mike Weber to practice squad". Green Bay Packers. November 11, 2020.
  16. ^ "Packers sign P Drew Kaser to the active roster". Green Bay Packers. November 21, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  17. ^ "Packers elevate LB De'Jon Harris and RB Mike Weber for gameday". Packers.com. November 28, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  18. ^ "Packers sign 10 free agents". Green Bay Packers. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  19. ^ "Packers sign De'Vondre Campbell". Packers.com. June 9, 2021. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  20. ^ Salomone, Dan (July 21, 2021). "Giants sign RB Mike Weber, DB Jordyn Peters". Giants.com. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  21. ^ Eisen, Michael (August 4, 2021). "Giants sign TE Tommy Stevens, WR Andy Jones; OL Joe Looney retires". Giants.com.
  22. ^ Lind, Andrew (February 23, 2022). "Former Ohio State Running Back Mike Weber Drafted By USFL's New Jersey Generals". SI.com. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  23. ^ @USFLGenerals (April 14, 2022). "Week 1 Game Status Update: • Calvin Ashley, OL: Doubtful (Knee) • Mike Weber, RB: Questionable (Knee) • Darrius Shepherd, WR: Probable (Hamstring) • Nick Truesdell, TE: Questionable (Groin) • Garrett McGhin, OL: Probable (Calf)" (Tweet). Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ @USFLGenerals (April 14, 2022). "Roster updates" (Tweet). Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ @USFLGenerals (April 19, 2022). "Roster updates" (Tweet). Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "Five players sign letters of intent with XFL". XFL.com. November 2, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  27. ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  28. ^ Dupont, Francis (January 12, 2024). "Montreal Alouettes sign five American players including a Super Bowl champion". MontrealAlouettes.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  29. ^ "Montreal Alouettes Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.