Fred Warner

Early life

Warner was born on November 19, 1996, in San Marcos, California, to Laura and Fred Warner, the eldest of two sons and one daughter. He is Mexican American from his mother's side and African and Panamanian from his father's side. His parents separated when Warner was a toddler, and his mother raised him and his siblings as a single parent. After experimenting with different sports, Warner began playing football when he was seven, which both he and his mother have cited as helping to shape his teenage years by giving him a sense of community. Though he admired numerous San Diego Chargers players, Warner grew up as a fan of the Dallas Cowboys along with his father.

At Mission Hills High School, Warner played as a linebacker on the football team and became a starter his junior year with the varsity team, where he was recognized for his strengths as an outside linebacker and was subsequently named the All-San Diego Section Defensive Player of the Year. Warner was also named to the All-California First-team by USA Today and the Cal-Hi Sports All-State First-team and earned the title of Avocado East League Defensive Player of the Year.

Warner was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and after mentioning his football ambitions to a fellow member of his congregation, who was a Brigham Young University (BYU) alum, he helped to get Warner's highlight reel to Kelly Poppinga, who became his lead recruiter.

College career

As a true freshman at BYU, Warner registered 24 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception (which was returned for a touchdown) 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 (returning one for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and six pass breakups. As a senior, Warner was named as the team captain and led 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 with the Cougars, Warner 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. His seven career interceptions rank second in school history among linebackers, tied with Kyle Van Noy.

Personal life

In December 2017, Warner graduated with a degree in exercise and wellness from BYU.

Warner's younger brother, Troy, followed him to BYU in 2015 as a defensive back.

Warner married former The Bachelor contestant Sydney Hightower on June 25, 2022.