Zach Horton

Last updated

Zach Horton
No. 40 – Detroit Lions
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (2002-12-02) December 2, 2002 (age 22)
Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:252 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school: Northside (Roanoke)
College: James Madison (2021-2023)
Indiana (2024)
NFL draft: 2025: undrafted
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Zach Horton (born December 2, 2002) is an American professional football tight end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the James Madison Dukes and Indiana Hoosiers before signing with the Lions as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life and high school

Horton attended Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Virginia. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the James Madison Dukes over offers from schools such as Navy, Army, Air Force, Eastern Michigan, and Coastal Carolina. [1]

College career

James Madison

As a freshman in 2021, Horton appeared in eight games where he did not record any receptions. [2] In 2022, he hauled in 13 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns as backup tight end. [3] In week 5 of the 2023 season, Horton hauled in three receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-23 win over South Alabama. [4] He had a breakout 2023 season as James Madison's starting tight end, where he recorded 27 receptions for 275 yards and six touchdowns, earning first-team all-Sun Belt Conference honors. [5] After the season, Horton entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [6]

Indiana

Horton transferred to play for the Indiana Hoosiers. [6] He entered the 2024 season as the Hoosiers' starting tight end. [7]

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 Bench press
6 ft 3+3⁄8 in
(1.91 m)		251 lb
(114 kg)		30+5⁄8 in
(0.78 m)		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		4.96 s1.64 s2.87 s4.69 s7.69 s29.5 in
(0.75 m)		8 ft 10 in
(2.69 m)		19 reps
All values from Pro Day [8]

Horton signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. [9] He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, and re-signed to the practice squad. [10] [11]

References

  1. ↑ Anderson, Robert. "H.S. football: Northside DE/TE Zach Horton commits to play at James Madison". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  2. ↑ Fleischman, Noah (July 20, 2023). "Fresh Faces Join Standout Horton In Tight Ends Room". Daily News-Record.
  3. ↑ Fleischman, Noah (March 30, 2023). "Horton Looks To Build Off Last Season, This Time In Deep TE Room". Daily News-Record. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  4. ↑ Hephner, Jackson (November 24, 2023). "Zach Horton makes an impact on JMU's offense, on and off the field". The Breeze. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  5. ↑ Niziolek, Michael. "Why Indiana football's new starting tight end Zach Horton is a trusted addition". The Herald-Times. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Harper, Catie. "JMU Loses Star Tight End, But Has Personnel To Bounce Back". Daily News-Record. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  7. ↑ Browning, Zach (October 2, 2024). "Tight end Zach Horton essential to Indiana's B1G-leading rushing attack". TheHoosier.com. Rivals.com. Retrieved November 24, 2024.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ "Zach Horton College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Lions sign four 2025 NFL Draft selections". DetroitLions.com. May 9, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 26, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 27, 2025.
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