Three things to know about J.J. Weaver, Kentucky football's six-fingered pass rusher

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky outside linebacker J.J. Weaver has blossomed into one of the SEC's most effective pass rushers this season.

Here is what you need to know about the former Louisville high school star.

1. J.J. Weaver has six fingers on his right hand

The former Moore High School star gained national attention during Kentucky's game against South Carolina when the ESPN2 television crew showcased his six-fingered right glove. Weaver was born with six functioning fingers on that hand.

He previously used a regular glove, forcing two of his fingers into one hole, but UK had a special glove made for this season.

The extra finger probably does not deserve much credit for Weaver's pass-rushing prowess, but it might gain him more attention as he tallied 3.5 sacks in UK's first four games despite playing limited snaps as he works his way back from a torn ACL.

2. J.J. Weaver has made a remarkable return from a torn ACL

Despite tearing the ACL in his right knee in the second half of a game at Florida on Nov. 21, 2020, Weaver was back on the field for UK's 2021 season opener. The rehabilitation process for a torn ACL can take up to a full calendar year.

Weaver missed just two games after the injury, including the Gator Bowl win over NC State, but questions immediately rose about whether he would be ready for the start of the 2021 season. He missed all of spring practice and spent most of preseason camp participating in only non-contact drills.

“What he does, the time that he puts in, the commitment in his rehab is elite level,” UK defensive coordinator Brad White said before the season. “When the time comes for him to come back from that, he is going to come back as good and better long-term than he was last year.”

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3. J.J. Weaver has dedicated his career to his father, who was killed last year

A major injury is a difficult hurdle for any player to overcome. For Weaver, it was an especially devastating blow because it came five months after his father, Terrance Weaver, was killed in a shooting in Albany, Georgia.

Terrance Weaver was killed in the early hours of June 17, 2020, according to media reports. Four teenagers were later arrested in connection with the crime. One was charged with murder. Albany police told reporters they believed robbery was the motive for the shooting.

More on J.J. Weaver:How his father's death spurred former Moore star in return from torn ACL

Weaver is the second-oldest of his father’s 13 children. Since his father’s death, he has felt a growing responsibility to help take care of his younger brothers and sisters.

“Last season before I got hurt, I was playing for him,” Weaver told the Courier Journal. “Then I got hurt, that really hurt me. Losing my dad, I don’t know how to explain it. That’s just a heartbreaking moment for my family and everybody. Me, still playing football, he’s in me. I feel like he’s playing football now.”

Email Jon Hale at jahale@courier-journal.com; Follow him on Twitter at @JonHale_CJ.