Bull In The Spotlight: Xavier Weaver
By Joey Johnston
USF sophomore wide receiver Xavier Weaver — expressive, outgoing and intentional — has a distinctive style.
You see it in his hair, a growth of nearly five years that is neatly arranged into rows of dreadlocks, rope-like strands that encircle his face and require monthly twisting from the lady at his salon.
You see it in his tattoos — a combination of mirth and messages. There's Uncle Pennybags, the mascot banker from the board game Monopoly, who symbolizes Weaver's desire to be "money'' at all times. There's a guardian angel to symbolize his baby sister who died at birth. There's an inspirational saying — "Never be ashamed of what you've been through. God will use your story for his glory.'' There's the word "Wish'' that is crossed out, followed by "Do,'' meaning he wants his life to be about action and follow-through.
But mostly, you see it in his game, an aggressive, free-flowing, big-play approach that has him on the precipice of joining a short list of USF receiving greats. Despite missing two full games of pass-catching duties with injuries this season, Weaver still has a team-leading 37 receptions for 640 yards – a yardage mark that ranks among the top 10 seasons in program history.
Friday afternoon, Weaver returns to his old stomping grounds when the Bulls (2-9, 1-6 AAC) face UCF (7-4, 4-3 AAC) in the regular-season finale in his hometown of Orlando. For Weaver, the "War On I-4'' is a significant moment.
"It's a big deal for me,'' the 6-foot-1, 178-pound Weaver said. "UCF didn't start recruiting me until it was way late, long after USF. It was like they felt I wasn't good enough to play over there.
"It's a rivalry. We haven't had the season we wanted, but here's a chance to go out with a bang. We know we can do it. We can't lay back and tippy-toe over there. We've got to show them who we are.''
It's the way Weaver plays football. It's the way he lives his life. And it's a reflection of the strong-minded woman who raised him.
Weaver has a relationship with his father, Sean, who played briefly in the NFL. But he draws energy and inspiration from his mother, Nadine, who grew up in Paris and now works as an executive manager for a marketing company. Weaver has two brothers with French-sounding names — Clement (pronounced Clay-moan), an artist, and Remi.
Neither Weaver nor his brothers are fluent in French. They understand some phrases, but also know that it's time to shape up when their mother speaks French. "She might be mad at us for something,'' Weaver said with a laugh.
Five years ago, Weaver's mother had thyroid cancer. She underwent surgery and eventually beat it. Now she speaks about it like she overcame a head cold.
"Of course, my kids were concerned, but I wasn't going to let it slow me down because I am a strong woman,'' Weaver's mother said. "I've never been that person to sit in the corner and complain. I've never been that little chicken. If there's a problem, you attack it. You don't run from it. I think my kids have that kind of strength.''
After watching his mother, Weaver said he believes he can overcome any obstacle.
"That cancer word is pretty scary, especially when you're a kid and it's your mom,'' Weaver said. "She has been the one in the stands watching me play football since I was 5. Seeing her push through and want what's best for me and my brothers, it motivated me. I never play with any fear because my mother has shown me how to be strong.
"That's why I go all out, all the time. You're not promised anything. I want to show out on every play.''
Weaver, the first player from Orlando Christian Prep to compete in college football, has done just that for the Bulls. He has catches of 44, 44, 40, 33, 31, 29, 26, 24 and 22 yards this season, establishing himself as a big-play threat. He also serves as USF's primary punt returner and his 14.7 average would rank in the top five nationally if he had enough returns to qualify.
"I've been high on Xavier Weaver since I got here,'' USF coach Jeff Scott said. "He's very consistent and he ranks among some of the most talented wideouts I've been around. Yes, there are guys all over the country who can make the one-handed catches, but it's more about the consistency of catching balls every time they are thrown to you.
"The message to our wideouts is you catch the routine balls all the time and you catch the impossible balls most of the time. That has to be your mindset. If it's not, you're not going to be a very good wideout.''
Scott said Weaver's skills compare favorably to former Clemson All-American DeAndre Hopkins, a five-time NFL Pro Bowler.
"With DeAndre Hopkins, it you got it within a 12-foot radius of him, he was going to catch the ball,'' Scott said. "It's like throwing it in a huge garbage dumpster. Weaver has some of that in him.
"Xavier can catch the ball in a lot of different body positions. He can get to just about any ball. The next big step is getting stronger and putting on more muscle for overall durability. If he continues to work the way he has, Xavier has a chance to be a guy who's playing on Sundays.''
That's Weaver's goal — to keep improving, to get noticed. Of course, when you encounter Weaver on the USF campus, how could you miss him? With a style and a smile all his own, Weaver makes a favorable impression.
When Weaver was growing up, his mother said he had beautiful curly hair. It was the type that made strangers stop and give him compliments. Weaver liked it, but found the hair often matting up in his helmet and making him uncomfortable. In high school, he thought about a hairstyle change, but first asked his mother.
"I loved that he wanted to try it and I love the way it looks now,'' Weaver's mother said. "For me, it's all about my sons finding themselves and expressing themselves. You must represent yourself in the best way possible, but also be yourself.
"I am strict in some things, but they need room to grow. Sometimes, you have to let them find their passions. I see a lot of parents who impose their lifestyle and beliefs on their children. I didn't want that for Xavier or the other boys. I think he is able to discover who he is.''
Who is Xavier Weaver?
In the eyes of his mother, he's a "kind-hearted, humble, strong-minded, independent person.'' A guy who radiates happiness and fulfillment — on and off the field.
In the eyes of his coaches, he's a game-breaking, big-play receiver who has just begun to realize his potential.
Weaver himself?
"I always knew I had some potential to be great,'' Weaver said. "Now there's a burning desire to be all I can be as a football player and a person. I want to live my best life, become a great player and be a positive person in this world. That's what I'm trying to do each day.''
He does it with passion. And he does it with style.
