Coming out of high school, Warner was a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com, Scout.com, 247Sports.com and ESPN.com. Warner was rated as the 15th best outside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com. According to Scout.com he was 27th best outside linebacker in the nation. 247Sports.com rated Warner as the 26th best outside linebacker in the nation. ESPN.com ranked him as the 37th best outside linebacker in the nation. He signed to BYU on February 5, 2014 but was also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California, Nebraska, New Mexico State, USC, Utah, Washington, and Washington State.
College career
As a true freshman for BYU, Warner registered 24 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and one pass breakup. Warner stepped into the starting role as a sophomore, making 67 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions and four fumble recoveries. As a junior, Warner recorded 86 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and six pass breakups. As a senior, Warner was named as the team captain and lead the 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. In four years at BYU, Warner was a three-year starter and registered 264 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, seven interceptions, five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and 13 pass breakups. His seven career interceptions rank second in school history among linebackers.
College statistics
Professional career
On November 20, 2017, it was announced that Warner had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. On January 27, 2018, Warner recorded six combined tackles as part of Denver Broncos' head coach Vance Joseph's North team that lost 45–16 to the South coached by Houston Texans' head coach Bill O'Brien. His overall performance throughout the week impressed scouts and helped him add value to his draft stock. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine and completed all of the combine drills. He finished 13th among all linebackers in the 40-yard dash, eighth in the bench press, ninth in the short shuttle, and sixth in the three-cone drill. Warner attended pre-draft visits and private workouts with multiple teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Warner was projected to be a second round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the fourth best outside linebacker in the draft by Scouts Inc. and was ranked the sixth best outside linebacker by DraftScout.com. The San Francisco 49ers selected Warner in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Warner was the ninth linebacker drafted in 2018.
2018 season: Rookie year
On June 13, 2018, the 49ers signed Warner to a four-year, $3.97 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1.01 million. Throughout training camp, Warner competed against Brock Coyle to be the starting middle linebacker. Head coach Kyle Shanahan named Warner the starting middle linebacker to begin the season. He started alongside outside linebackers Mark Nzeocha and Malcolm Smith. Warner made his NFL debut and first NFL start in the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings and recorded 12 combined tackles, one pass defended, and one forced fumble during a 24–16 road loss. In the regular-season finale, he collected a season-high 14 combined tackles in a 48–32 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. Warner started in all 16 games in his rookie year and recorded 124 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and one forced fumble. Warner’s 124 total tackles finished 12th among all players and third among all rookies in 2018. He received an overall grade of 63.9 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 51st among all qualified linebackers in 2018.
2019 season
Warner announced he would change his number from 48 to 54 for the 2019 season, after the departure of Cassius Marsh. In Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football, Warner recorded a team high 10 tackles, sacked Russell Wilson twice, and forced a fumble on offensive tackleGermain Ifedi which was recovered by teammate DeForest Buckner for a 12 yard touchdown in a 27–24 overtime loss. Two weeks later, Warner recorded 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, and strip-sacked Aaron Rodgers in a 37-8 victory over the Green Bay Packers, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Warner was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for his play in November. During Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams, Warner recorded 11 tackles and an interception off a pass thrown by Jared Goff which he returned for a 46-yard touchdown in a narrow 34–31 victory. During Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs, Warner recorded seven tackles and intercepted a pass thrown by Patrick Mahomes during the 31–20 loss. During the Off-season, Fred Warner was voted the 70th best player in the NFL 100.
NFL statistics
Regular season
Postseason
Personal life
Warner was born to Laura and Fred Warner. He has five siblings. His younger brother, Troy is a defensive back for BYU. In December 2017, Warner graduated as an exercise and wellness major.
