Zach Wood

Last updated

Zach Wood
Zach Wood (22600186407) (cropped).jpg
Wood with SMU in 2015
No. 49 – New Orleans Saints
Position: Long snapper
Personal information
Born: (1993-01-10) January 10, 1993 (age 31)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school: Rowlett (Rowlett, Texas)
College: SMU (2011–2015)
Undrafted: 2016
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics
Games played:115
Player stats at PFR

Zach Wood (born January 10, 1993) is an American professional football long snapper for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at SMU. He has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

Contents

Early life

Wood attended Rowlett High School in Rowlett, Texas, where he played defensive tackle. As a junior, he recorded 99 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. [1] He posted 115 tackles and 10 sacks his senior season, earning honorable-mention Class 4A All-State as a defensive lineman. [1] [2]

College career

Wood accepted a football scholarship from Southern Methodist University. He was redshirted in 2011. [1] He played in nine games in 2012, tallying five solo tackles, four tackle assists and half a sack.

He played in 12 games, all starts as a 3–4 defensive end, in 2013, making 25 solo tackles, 24 tackle assists, one sack, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.

Wood appeared in 12 games, all starts as a 3–4 defensive end, in 2014, registering 18 solo tackles, 22 tackle assists, 4 sacks and 1 fumble recovery. [3]

He played in 10 games with 9 starts in 2015 and was a team captain. He recorded 29 solo tackles, 10 tackle assists, 3.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups and 3 blocked kicks. [4] [5] Wood also spent time at long snapper in college. [6] [7] [8] He finished his college career with 33-of-43 starts, 137 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 3 blocked kicks.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Wood was rated the 85th best defensive end in the 2016 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com. [9]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+7⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		282 lb
(128 kg)		5.15 s1.82 s2.97 s4.67 s7.43 s28.0 in
(0.71 m)		8 ft 3 in
(2.51 m)		25 reps
All values from SMU Pro Day [9]

Dallas Cowboys

Wood was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2016 NFL draft, following a rookie minicamp tryout on May 24. [10] During his first training camp with the team, he also played on the defensive line, even taking the snaps with the first defense in practices. He was waived on September 1, 2016. [11]

He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 16, 2017. In his second training camp with the Cowboys, he concentrated on being a long snapper and taking some of the practice load from stalwart L. P. Ladouceur. He was released on September 2, 2017. [12] [13]

New Orleans Saints

In 2017, the New Orleans Saints couldn't find a potential candidate for the long snapper job during training camp. On August 28, the Saints obtained Jon Dorenbos from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick (not exercised). [14] [15] On September 7, it was revealed that Dorenbos was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, which required immediate heart surgery. He was placed on the non-football illness list the same day, and released with an injury settlement on September 9, before announcing his retirement. [16] On September 9, Wood was signed by the Saints, after a last minute tryout that included four other players. [17] He successfully became the team's long snapper for all punts and placekicks during the season.

On February 20, 2018, he was re-signed to a one-year contract. On February 11, 2019, he was re-signed to a one-year contract. On March 23, 2020, Wood signed a four-year contract with the Saints. [18] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on August 6, 2020, [19] and activated from the list three days later. [20]

On July 28, 2023, Wood signed a four-year contract extension with the Saints. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julius Peppers</span> American football player (born 1980)

Julius Frazier Peppers is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers second overall in the 2002 NFL draft, and also played for the Chicago Bears from 2010 through 2013 and the Green Bay Packers from 2014 to 2016. After rejoining the Panthers for the 2017 season, he retired after the 2018 NFL season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La'Roi Glover</span> American football player and coach (born 1974)

La'Roi Damon Glover is an American professional football coach and former player who is the defensive line coach for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Glover played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. He enjoyed a 13-year career in which he made six-consecutive Pro Bowls and was a four-time All-Pro selection. He spent five seasons with the New Orleans Saints (1997–2001), four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2002–2005) and finished his playing career with the St. Louis Rams (2006–2008).

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

DeMarcus Omar Ware is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Troy Trojans and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. After spending nine seasons with the Cowboys, Ware departed in 2013 as the franchise's all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 117. Ware then played three seasons for the Denver Broncos, with whom he won Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. After the 2016 season with the Broncos, he announced his retirement from the NFL. In 2017, he signed a one-day contract with Dallas to retire as a Cowboy. In 2018, the Broncos hired Ware as a pass-rush consultant. In 2023, Ware was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kenneth Carlos Amato is a former American football long snapper and current defensive assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Prior to his coaching career, he spent nine seasons as a long snapper for the Tennessee Titans. He played college football at Montana State.

Kenyon Octavia Coleman is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for UCLA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Anderson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1983)

James Nathaniel Anderson is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected in the third round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers.

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

Robert Michael Ninkovich is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker and defensive end for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers as a defensive end and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, winning two Super Bowls with the latter. After eight seasons with the Patriots, Ninkovich announced his retirement from the NFL following the 2016 season.

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

Anthony E. Spencer II is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft with the 26th overall pick.

Jeffrey William Robinson is a former American football long snapper, tight end and defensive end. He played college football at the University of Idaho where was a four-year starter defensive end and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos with the 98th overall pick. Robinson later played for the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and the St. Louis Rams where he earned a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Randy Robert Chevrier is a Canadian former professional football player who was a long snapper in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played for the Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, and Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, and the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL. He played university football at McGill University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyrone Crawford</span> Canadian football player (born 1989)

Tyrone Crawford is a Canadian former professional football player who was a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos before being selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Cowboys.

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

Jaylon Smith is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected 34th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.

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

DeMarcus Lawrence is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the Butler Community College Grizzlies and Boise State Broncos.

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

Randy Gregory is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.

Zach Moore is a former American football defensive end. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round, 198th overall, of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he led the defense with 14 sacks in 2012.

Taylor Reed is a former gridiron football linebacker. He played college football at Southern Methodist University. He has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, New England Patriots, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa Redblacks, Toronto Argonauts, and Houston Roughnecks.

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

Vidauntae "Taco" Charlton is an American professional football defensive end for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Michigan and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Francisco 49ers. He won a championship with the Stallions in his first year in the UFL.

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

Carlos Watkins is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Watkins has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Commanders.

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

Breeland Clyde Speaks is an American professional football defensive end who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. He played college football at Ole Miss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leighton Vander Esch</span> American football player (born 1996)

Leighton Vander Esch is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos, and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. He spent six seasons with the team, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his rookie season before neck injuries prematurely ended his playing career.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Zach Wood". smumustangs.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  2. ↑ "2010 All State: APSE CLass 5A". lonestarpreps.rivals.com. December 15, 2010. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  3. ↑ "2015 SMU FOOTBALL" (PDF). smumustangs.com. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  4. ↑ "2015 Football Cumulative Statistics". smumustangs.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  5. ↑ "2016 SMU FOOTBALL" (PDF). smumustangs.com. p. 124. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  6. ↑ DeShazier, John (September 9, 2017). "John DeShazier: New Saints long snapper Zach Wood plans to 'go out there and do what I do'". neworleanssaints.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  7. ↑ Embody, Billy (August 27, 2014). "SMU Football Depth Chart". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  8. ↑ "2015 SMU FOOTBALL GAME NOTES" (PDF). static.caasports.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Zach Wood". nfldraftscout.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  10. ↑ Broaddus, Bryan (May 24, 2016). "Scouting Report: Quick Look At Rookie DE Zach Wood, Who Signed Tuesday". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  11. ↑ "2016 TRANSACTIONS BY DATE" (PDF). DallasCowboys.com. October 18, 2017. p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  12. ↑ Eatman, Nick (January 16, 2017). "Showers, Rod Smith Among 12 Players Signed To Cowboys Offseason Roster". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Cowboys Make 38 Moves, One Trade To Reach 53; Kellen Moore Released". DallasCowboys.com. September 2, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  14. ↑ Spadaro, Dave (August 28, 2017). "Dorenbos Trade A 'Difficult' One For Team". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  15. ↑ Shook, Nick (August 28, 2017). "Eagles trade LS Jon Dorenbos to Saints for draft pick". NFL.com. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  16. ↑ Orr, Conor (September 8, 2017). "Jon Dorenbos diagnosed with aortic aneurysm". NFL.com. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  17. ↑ "TRANSACTIONS". neworleanssaints.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  18. ↑ Just, Amie (March 16, 2020). "Saints, LS Zach Wood agree to 4-year deal". NOLA.com. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  19. ↑ Just, Amie (August 6, 2020). "Two Saints players put on reserve/COVID-19 list; here's what that means". NOLA.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  20. ↑ Sigler, John (August 8, 2020). "Long snapper Zach Wood cleared from NFL's COVID-19 protocol". USAToday.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  21. ↑ Simmons, Myles (July 28, 2023). "Saints sign long snapper Zach Wood to an extension". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.