Fred Warner Jr. is a 22-year-old (19 November 1966) American Football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was born to Laura and Fred Warner and has two siblings. His younger brother, Troy, is a defensive back for Brigham Young University (BYU).
Fred Warner Jr. stands at 6’3” and weighs 236 pounds. He attended Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, California. In his high school career, he received numerous accolades. He was named to the All-California First Team by USA Today and the Cal-Hi Sports All-State First Team. He was named the Avocado East League Defensive Player of the Year and the All-San Diego Section Defensive Player of the Year.
According to Rivals.com, Scout.com, 247Sports.com, and ESPN.com, coming out of high school, Warner was a four-star recruit. Rivals.com ranked him as the 15th outside linebacker in the nation, whereas Scout.com ranked him as the 27th best outside linebacker in the nation, and ESPN.com ranked him as the 37th best outside linebacker in the nation.
He was recruited by several colleges, including Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California, Nebraska, New Mexico State, USC, Utah, Washington, and Washington State. He ultimately signed to play for BYU on 5 February 2014.
During his freshman season, Warner registered 24 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception (which was returned for a touchdown) and one pass breakup. During his sophomore season, he made a total of 67 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, and four fumble recoveries. As a junior, he recorded 86 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions (returning one for a touchdown), two forced fumbles, and six pass breakups. In his senior year, he was named the captain of the team. He led his team with 87 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, along with one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and five pass breakups.
During his four years at BYU, he was a three-year starter and registered 264 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, seven interceptions (returning two for touchdowns), five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and 13 pass breakups. He also made school history among linebackers by ranking second with his seven career interceptions.
Warner graduated from Brigham Young University in December 2017, as an exercise and wellness major. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (70th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft. He was the ninth linebacker to be drafted in 2018. On 13 June 2018, the San Francisco 49ers signed Warner to a four-year, $3.97 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1.01 million.
Warner started in all 16 games in his rookie season in 2018 and recorded 124 combined tackles (85 solos), six pass deflections, and one forced fumble. He received an overall grade of 63.9 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 51st among all qualified linebackers in 2018.
