John Wolford

Last updated

John Wolford
John Wolford NASA Commercialization Training Camp - 19 (cropped).jpg
Wolford in 2020
Personal information
Born: (1995-10-16) October 16, 1995 (age 28)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Bishop Kenny
(Jacksonville, Florida)
College: Wake Forest (2014–2017)
Position: Quarterback
Undrafted: 2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
TDINT:1–5
Passing yards:626
Completion percentage:58.7%
Passer rating:59.2
Rushing yards:87
Player stats at PFR

John Thomas Wolford [1] (born October 16, 1995) is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Wake Forest and signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2018, and played for the Los Angeles Rams from 2019 to 2022. He has also played for the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football.

Contents

Early life

Wolford was born in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Jacksonville at an early age where he attended Bishop Kenny High School. [2] [3] As a pro-style quarterback, he was rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com [4] and ESPN [5] and committed to play college football at Wake Forest. He was briefly the all-time leader in all major statistical passing categories for high school football in the state of Florida.[ citation needed ]

College career

Wolford started his college career as the first Wake Forest player to start all 12 games as a true freshman, setting school records in attempts, passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage by a true freshman. He struggled at times, throwing 13 interceptions in his first eight games, but showed improvement over the year, throwing only one interception in the final four. He finished eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in passing yards per game at 169.8, ranking second among freshmen in the conference behind only Miami's Brad Kaaya.

He had another strong year as a sophomore. In the first game of the season, he threw for a career-high 323 yards in a 41–3 win over Elon; the next week, he threw for 373 yards in a 30–17 loss vs. Syracuse. His 696 passing yards in the first two games constituted the best start ever by a Wake Forest quarterback. As a junior, he started 11 of 13 games, missing one game due to injury.

As a senior, he had the most impressive season of his college career, earning second-team all-ACC honors and setting school records in single-season passer rating, passing yards, touchdown passes, total offense yards, and touchdowns, as well as the school record in career touchdowns. In the Belk Bowl, he set school bowl game records in completions (32), attempts (49), passing yards (400), and touchdowns (4), becoming the first FBS player since 2000 to pass for 400+ yards, rush for 65+ yards, and throw no interceptions in a bowl game. [2]

College statistics

SeasonGamesPassingRushing
GPGSRecordCompAttPctYardsAvgTDIntRateAttYardsAvgTD
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2014 12123–921436758.32,0375.61214108.1104-151-1.50
2015 11103–714223560.41,7917.6911127.773670.93
2016 12116–516629955.51,7745.9910108.61305214.06
2017 12128–423937463.93,1928.5299158.01406834.910
Career 474520−257611,27559.78,7946.95941126.54471,1202.519

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
5 ft 11+12 in
(1.82 m)
205 lb
(93 kg)
29+18 in
(0.74 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
4.77 s1.70 s2.76 s4.18 s6.78 s31 in
(0.79 m)
9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)
All values from 2018 Wake Forest Pro Day [6] [7]

New York Jets

After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, Wolford signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets. He played in most of the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, completing 8 passes on 20 attempts for 89 yards and an interception. [8] [9] He was waived on September 2 and signed to the practice squad the next day. [10] He was released from the practice squad a day later to make room for former New York Giants quarterback Davis Webb. [11]

Arizona Hotshots

The Arizona Hotshots drafted Wolford with their second-round pick in the 2019 AAF QB Draft. He entered the preseason competing with first-round pick Trevor Knight for the starting job; in the Hotshots' sole preseason game against the Birmingham Iron, Wolford completed 9 of 14 passes for 116 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion. He was named starter prior to the regular season. [12]

In the first game of the regular season, a 38–22 win over the Salt Lake Stallions, Wolford completed 18 of 29 passes for 275 yards, four touchdowns, and two two-point conversions; for his performance, he was named Week 1 AAF Offensive Player of the Week. [13] [14] He earned a second Player of the Week award in Week 7, when he completed 15 of 19 passes for 212 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a 126.3 passer rating and ran for a 35-yard touchdown in a 32–15 victory against the San Diego Fleet. [15]

Los Angeles Rams

On April 10, 2019, Wolford signed with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL after the AAF suspended operations. [16] He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, [17] but was signed the next day to the Rams' practice squad. [18] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on December 31, 2019.

Following an injury to starter Jared Goff during a Week 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks, Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed on December 28, 2020, that Wolford would start the final game of the season against the Arizona Cardinals. [19] Wolford would become the first quarterback to make his first start with a team during Week 17 with a playoff berth on the line since Kyle Orton with the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. [20] After throwing an interception to Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks on his first pass attempt of the game, Wolford quickly turned things around, completing 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards while also rushing six times for 56 yards as the Rams went on to beat the Cardinals 18–7 to clinch a playoff berth. [21] He became the first quarterback to pass for 200+ yards and rush for 50+ yards in an NFL debut. [22] Wolford started for the Rams in the wild card playoff game at the Seattle Seahawks, but left in the first quarter with a neck injury after sustaining a shoulder to helmet hit from Seahawks safety Jamal Adams. [23] He was taken to the hospital and later was released from the hospital the same day. [24] Wolford completed three of six passes for 29 yards prior to leaving the game, which the Rams went on to win 30–20.

In 2021, Wolford served as the backup for the newly acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford. Wolford also remained the backup during the Rams' playoff run, winning Super Bowl LVI when they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. [25]

On November 13, 2022, Wolford was named the starting quarterback for Week 10 against the Cardinals after Stafford was placed in concussion protocol. Coincidentally, Kyler Murray also missed the game due to injury, with Colt McCoy serving as the starter in a backup versus backup matchup. [26]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On May 9, 2023, Wolford signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [27] He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad. [28] [29] Wolford was promoted to the active roster on October 31, 2023. [30]

Wolford re-signed with the Buccaneers on March 15, 2024. [31] He was released during final roster cuts on August 27. [32]

Professional statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
BoldCareer high

AAF statistics

YearTeamGamesPassingRushingSacksFum
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ALngTDIntRtgAttYdsY/ALngTDSckYds
2019 ARI 875–213020563.41,6167.96414796.3361604.435114881
Career 875–213020563.41,6167.96414796.3361604.435114881

NFL statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesPassingRushingSacksFumbles
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ALngTDIntRtgAttYdsY/ALngTDSckYdsFumLost
2020 LAR 111–0223857.92316.1380164.76569.31402800
2021 LAR 301425.051.35010.02-1-0.5001800
2022 LAR 331–2386261.33906.3301364.68324.014074931
2023 TB 00DNP
Career 742–26110458.76266.0381559.216875.4140106531

Postseason

YearTeamGamesPassingRushingSacksFumbles
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ALngTDIntRtgAttYdsY/ALngTDSckYdsFumLost
2020 LAR 111–03650.0294.8150063.9122.0201000
2021 LAR 00DNP
2023 TB 00DNP
Career 111–03650.0294.8150063.9122.0201000

Career awards and records

Personal life

Wolford's uncle, Will Wolford, was a three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle who played 13 seasons in the NFL. [33]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> American football player (born 1982)

Ryan Joseph Fitzpatrick is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Fitzpatrick started at quarterback for nine teams, the most in league history. He is also the only NFL player to have a passing touchdown with eight different teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Orlovsky</span> American football player and analyst (born 1983)

Dan Orlovsky is an American football analyst for ESPN and former professional football player. He played as a quarterback for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily as a backup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Stanton</span> American football player (born 1984)

Drew Emeric Stanton is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft, after playing college football for the Michigan State Spartans. Stanton was a journeyman quarterback who was a member of the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, and for a short stint the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coming out of retirement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blaine Gabbert</span> American football player (born 1989)

Blaine Williamson Gabbert is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Missouri before leaving early for the 2011 NFL draft after his junior year. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round with the 10th overall pick. He has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kansas City Chiefs. He won Super Bowl LV as a backup with the Buccaneers and Super Bowl LVIII as a backup with the Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Glennon</span> American football player (born 1989)

Michael Joseph Glennon is an American former professional football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jameis Winston</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jameis Lanaed Winston is an American professional football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, becoming the youngest player to win the Heisman Trophy and leading his team to victory in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game during his freshman year. Declaring for the NFL after his sophomore season, Winston was selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Griffin (quarterback)</span> American football player and coach (born 1989)

Ryan Walsh Griffin is an American professional football quarterback for the Skorpions Varese of the Italian Football League (IFL). He is also currently an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He played college football for the Tulane Green Wave. Griffin earned a Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2020 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Goff</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jared Thomas Goff is an American professional football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears, where he set Pac-12 Conference season records for passing yards and passing touchdowns, and was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2016 NFL draft. Goff had a breakout season in 2017 when he helped lead the Rams to their first playoff appearance since 2004. The following year, Goff led the Rams to Super Bowl LIII. He also received Pro Bowl honors in both seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Allen (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Brandon Duc Allen is an American professional football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arkansas and was their starting quarterback from 2013 to 2015. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft and has also previously been a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Knight</span> American football player (born 1993)

Trevor A. Knight is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Oklahoma and Texas A&M. After leading Oklahoma to an 8–5 record in the 2014 season, he lost the starting job in an open quarterback competition to Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield prior to the 2015 season. On January 4, 2016, it was announced that Knight would transfer to Texas A&M University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baker Mayfield</span> American football player (born 1995)

Baker Reagan Mayfield is an American professional football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). After beginning his college football career with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Mayfield played for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was the first walk-on player to win the Heisman Trophy in 2017. He was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Huff</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Josh Huff is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. Huff played college football at Oregon. He was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Hotshots, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Rosen</span> American football player (born 1997)

Joshua Ballinger Lippincott Rosen is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. Rosen played college football for the UCLA Bruins, receiving Freshman All-American and Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2015. During his junior year, Rosen set the school's record for single-season passing yards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Bercovici</span> American football player and coach (born 1993)

Michael Bercovici is an American football coach and former quarterback who currently serves as an offensive assistant for the Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Arizona State. He signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent after the 2016 NFL draft and has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Allen (quarterback)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Austin Allen is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was their starting quarterback from 2016 to 2017. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Moore (wide receiver)</span> American football player (born 1995)

David James Moore is an American professional football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at East Central University and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also previously played in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chase Edmonds</span> American football player (born 1996)

Chase Edmonds is an American professional football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Fordham Rams and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He has also played for the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryce Perkins</span> American football player (born 1996)

Bryce Perkins is an American professional football quarterback for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Arizona State, Arizona Western, and Virginia before signing with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Trask</span> American football player (born 1998)

Kyle Jacob Trask is an American professional football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida and was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Hinton</span> American football player (born 1997)

Kendall Hinton is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as a quarterback and wide receiver and signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2020. That season, he made an appearance as an emergency quarterback following the rest of the team's quarterbacks being placed in COVID-19 quarantine for a week. In doing so, Hinton became the first non-professional quarterback to play significant snaps at the position in an NFL game since running back Tom Matte with the Baltimore Colts in 1965.

References

  1. "2017-18 ACC Academic Honor Roll" (PDF). Atlantic Coast Conference. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "2017 Football Roster: John Wolford". WF Football. Wake Forest University Athletics. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  3. Coppage, Mike (July 22, 2010). "A Look Ahead: 2014 QB John Wolford". PonyStampede.com. Scout.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2022. They were born in Dallas, back when I was training at Parkland Hospital, and their grandparents still live there.
  4. "Rivals.com". n.rivals.com. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  5. "John Wolford". ESPN Recruiting. ESPN Internet Ventures . Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  6. "John Wolford, DS #16 QB, Wake Forest". DraftScout.com. The Sports Xchange. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  7. "John Wolford 2018 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  8. Cimini, Rich (November 15, 2018). "Story of ex-Jet's long shot: Summer fling, a perfect pass, Wall Street". ESPN.com . ESPN Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  9. "New York Jets vs. Philadelphia Eagles". NFL.com . National Football League. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  10. "John Wolford (QB) to Practice Squad; Complete List". JetNation.com. September 3, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  11. Wells, MacGregor (September 4, 2018). "Jets Sign Ex-Giants QB Davis Webb To Practice Squad, Cut QB John Wolford". Gang Green Nation. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  12. "Wolford wins starting QB job for Arizona team in new football league". Winston-Salem Journal . BH Media Group, Inc. February 9, 2019. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  13. Romero, Jose (February 12, 2019). "Arizona Hotshots quarterback John Wolford named Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week". AAF.com. Alliance of American Football . Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  14. "Arizona Hotshots vs Salt Lake Stallions – Week 1". NoExtraPoints. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  15. "Wolford, Gates and Zema are players of the week". aaf.com. March 26, 2019. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  16. Dennis, Clarence (April 10, 2019). "Rams sign former AAF QB John Wolford". TheRams.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  17. Han, Jamie (August 31, 2019). "Rams trim roster down to 53 players". TheRams.com. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  18. Han, Jamie (September 1, 2019). "Rams sign 10 practice squad players". TheRams.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  19. Thiry, Lindsey (January 3, 2021). "John Wolford is now the Rams' starting QB, but who is John Wolford?". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  20. Carlin, Skyler (December 28, 2020). "Rams QB John Wolford set to make history in first career start vs. Cardinals". Clutch Points. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  21. Klein, Gary (January 3, 2021). "John Wolford gets it done for Rams in playoff-clinching win over Cardinals". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  22. 1 2 "Rams QB John Wolford made NFL history with Week 17 performance". theramswire.usatoday.com. Rams Wire. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  23. "Rams QB John Wolford (neck) questionable to return vs. Seahawks; Jared Goff in". NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  24. Thiry, Lindsey (January 9, 2021). "QB Wolford out of hospital, celebrates with Rams". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  25. Schwartz, Paul (February 13, 2021). "LA Rams defeat Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 2022". nypost.com.
  26. Root, Jess (November 13, 2022). "Cardinals to face Rams QB John Wolford barring drastic changes". Cards Wire. USA Today. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  27. Smith, Scott (May 9, 2023). "Bucs Sign Former Rams QB John Wolford". Buccaneers.com.
  28. Smith, Scott (August 30, 2023). "Bucs Cut Down to 53 for Regular Season, Place Ryan Jensen on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  29. Smith, Scott (August 30, 2023). "John Wolford, Jose Ramirez Among First 14 on Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com.
  30. Smith, Scott. "Bucs Promote John Wolford to Active Roster". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  31. Smith, Scott (March 15, 2024). "John Wolford Re-Ups with Bucs, Keeps QB Room Intact". Buccaneers.com.
  32. Smith, Scott (August 27, 2024). "Bucs Cut Down to 53, Place Chase Edmonds, Rakim Jarrett on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  33. O’Neill, Conor (November 17, 2017). "Ultimate competitor: After three tough years, Wake Forest QB John Wolford leading high-powered offense". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2023.