All-everything: Whether offense, defense or special teams, Utah relies on Weddle

Eric Weddle has climbed a lot of mountains in his career at Utah. He's played a pivotal role in blazing several successful trails. The journeys include a pair of trips to the top of the Mountain West Conference.

In 2004, Weddle helped the Utes reach college football's highest summit — the Bowl Championship Series. He led all tacklers in the Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh by making 11 stops.

Less than a year later, Weddle was named defensive MVP of the Emerald Bowl after holding Georgia Tech's highly regarded wide receiver, Calvin Johnson, to just two catches for 19 yards.

Along the way, Weddle has played multiple positions. The 2003 freshman all-American, who is primarily a safety and a cornerback, has also seen action at nickel back, quarterback, return specialist, punter, holder for field-goal kicks and special teams contributor.

"It's a football player's dream to play a bunch of positions and do whatever you can to help the team," said Weddle. "That's the way I look at it."

Preparation — and lots of it — has enhanced Weddle's versatility. He's a case study in studying.

Defensive coordinator Gary Andersen said Weddle looks at things like a coach. Besides having great athletic ability and unbelievable instincts, Andersen added, Weddle's preparation is second to none — at every position he plays.

"Wherever he is, he's going to be completely prepared," Andersen said. "Other than what he obviously does on Saturdays, one of his most valuable assets is teaching young kids and even older kids how to be completely prepared for an opponent."

It's just how Weddle operates.

"I try to give myself everything that I can during the week to prepare myself so I'm not out there nervous or I'm not out there not knowing what my job is," he said. "I usually try to take that stuff out before the week — so when I'm in there, all I'm thinking about is my assignment and doing the best I can."

Weddle insists there's no pressure involved with his extra assignments. Preparation involves practice, film study and seeing the looks you get in a game. Variety, he insists, makes life a lot more fun.

"Eric loves that. He loves to be able to contribute," Andersen said. "If he wasn't smart enough to be able to handle it mentally and physically, we wouldn't do that to him. But he can do it for us."

And, Andersen noted, it causes opposing teams some issues.

Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said the Utes, thus, are going to find ways to utilize Weddle — on offense, on defense, on special teams or whatever.