NFL PRESEASON: Orlando Christian Prep Alum Xavier Weaver Signs First NFL Contract

THE DESERT WEAVER

South Florida Bulls, and Coach Prime University standout Xavier Weaver has signed his first NFL contract, join the Arizona Cardinals for his rookie season.

Xavier Weaver’s inspiring journey to the National Football League starts at Central Florida private school powerhouse Orlando Christian Prep.

Traditionally, a perennial basketball school with numerous state title runs, OCP launched a football program in 2010. Weaver entered the OCP system as an eight grader, and immediately set about honing his natural abilities – a likely inheritence from his father, Sean Weaver, the former Los Angeles Charger. Hard work, and unselfish dedication led the younger Weaver to become a three-year starter for the Warriors. As the centerpiece for the offense, Weaver lifted Warriors to a nine win season (first place in the district), playing both wideout and quarterback during his senior year. In true small school fashion, Xavier even played both ways, earning respectable minutes with the defensive unit as well.

That same year, Weaver racked up 34 grabs for 584 yards with 10 touchdowns as a senior. In four seasons, Weaver pulled in 110 total catches, 2,124 yards and 32 touchdowns for Orlando Christian Prep.

Headlining his 2019 graduating class, Weaver distinguished himself, statistically, as the most successful receiver in OCP football program history, earning himself an offer from the University of South Florida. At that time, the Warriors had never had a player sign to an FBS program. Weaver signed with the Bulls in 2018, and his time in Tampa Bay was sensational. Finishing his USF career as a Junior in 2022, with 1,735 career receiving yards, good for fourth all-time at USF, and 116 career receptions, good for sixth all-time. Suddenly in 2023, a change of scenery came in the form of the transfer portal.

With an extra year of eligibility, Xavier reunited with his USF teammate and fellow Orlando-area native, Jimmy Horn (Seminole High) in Coach Prime’s program Colorado.

Xavier Weaver now joins Kyler Murray, and a receiver room that includes rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Zach Pascal and more. At six-one, 180-pounds Weaver has proven his worth to his new franchise both as a capable receiver, and a return specialist. Arizona’s preseason consisted of three straight losses to the Colts, Saints, and Broncos by a combined thirty-six points. Big Red’s regular season starts with a Sept. 8th trip to Buffalo, Week One.

Congratulations Xavier! Go Cards.

FOR THE MEMBERS

In recent years, Orlando-area private schools have emerged to challenge the traditional dominance of public schools, with relatively young programs like Orlando Christian Prep, Masters Academy and TFA rivaling the likes Edgewater, Apopka and Dr. Phillips.

Sports Club Florida sat down with Xavier Weaver’s high school football coach, Guerschom Demosthenes of Orlando Christian Preparatory during this year’s Florida Citrus Sports Football Media Days.