Zack Bailey

Zack Bailey

No. 78 – Los Angeles Chargers
Position:	Offensive lineman
Personal information
Born:	(1995-11-08) November 8, 1995 (age 28) Summerville, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:	Summerville (SC)
College:	South Carolina
Undrafted:	2019
Career history
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019–2020) Minnesota Vikings (2020–2021)* Indianapolis Colts (2021)* Washington Football Team / Commanders (2021–2022)* Los Angeles Chargers (2022–present)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played: 1
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Zack Bailey (born November 8, 1995) is an American football offensive lineman for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He later had stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and Washington Football Team / Commanders.

Early life and education

Bailey was born on November 8, 1995, and grew up in Summerville, South Carolina. He attended Summerville High School, where he played football for coach John McKissick, the all-time most winningest coach at any level. He played left guard and helped them reach the second round of the playoffs as a senior, being a finalist for the state "Mr. Football" award. Rivals.com ranked him a four-star prospect and the second-best player in the state, as well as the fifth-best offensive guard nationally. He had numerous scholarship offers after graduating in 2015, and decided to enroll at South Carolina. ^{[1] [2]}

As a true freshman in 2015, Bailey appeared in 12 games and started five, two of those at left guard and the remaining three as a center. The following year, he was South Carolina's "most consistent and highest performing offensive lineman," starting every game at left guard, several as a team captain, and being named the co-winner of the Offensive Tenacity Award (with Hayden Hurst). ^[1] He changed his position from interior lineman to right tackle as a junior in 2017. ^[3]

In 2017, Bailey appeared in nine games, all but one as a starter, missing four after an injury in the third match of the season (against Kentucky). He was selected to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Fall Academic Honor Roll and was named by the league's coaches a third-team all-conference player. After contemplating whether to enter the NFL Draft or return for a senior season, Bailey opted to return to the team in 2018 so he could get a degree, becoming the first member of his family to do so. ^{[1] [4]}

As a senior, Bailey returned to his former position of left guard and was named team captain, starting 12 games and being named second-team all-conference by the league's coaches and Associated Press (AP). He was given the Offensive Tenacity Award and was selected to the East–West Shrine All-Star game. In the regular season finale, he suffered a broken right fibula, and as a result missed the Belk Bowl. Bailey graduated in December 2018 with a degree in criminal justice, finishing his college career with 46 games played and 38 starts. ^[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 5+1⁄8 in (1.96 m)	299 lb (136 kg)	33 in (0.84 m)	9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m)	5.21 s	1.80 s	3.06 s	4.88 s	7.71 s	28.0 in (0.71 m)	8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)	24 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [5] [6]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bailey was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but was only able to participate in three events due to his injury. ^{[7] [8]} He went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, but afterwards was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ^[9] He was the only undrafted rookie to make the final roster, ^[10] but suffered an injury shortly afterwards and was placed on injured reserve. ^[11] At the final roster cuts in 2020, Bailey was released, ^[12] but afterwards re-signed to the practice squad. ^[13] He was released from the practice squad on November 3. ^[13]

Minnesota Vikings

While a free agent, Bailey received tryouts from the Baltimore Ravens, ^[14] New England Patriots, ^[15] and Minnesota Vikings. ^[16] He was signed to the Vikings' practice squad on December 8. ^[17] Bailey was signed to a futures contract in January 2021. ^[18] He was waived at the final roster cuts in 2021, but was subsequently re-signed to the practice squad. ^{[19] [20]} He was released from the Vikings' practice squad on October 13, 2021. ^[21]

Indianapolis Colts

Two days after being released by the Vikings, Bailey was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts. ^[22] He was then released on October 26. ^[23] He received a tryout from the Houston Texans after being released by the Colts. ^[24]

Washington Football Team

On November 2, 2021, Bailey was signed by the Washington Football Team to the practice squad. ^[25] He was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on December 23, ^[26] and activated one week later. ^[13] Bailey received a reserve/future contract in January 2022. ^[27] He was released by Washington on May 16, 2022. ^[28]

Los Angeles Chargers

On May 17, 2022, Bailey was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers. ^[29] He was waived at the final roster cuts in August, ^[30] but was afterwards brought back on the practice squad. ^[31] He received an elevation to the active roster for the Chargers' Week 13 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, ^[32] and made his NFL debut in the loss, appearing on four special teams snaps. ^[33] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2023. ^[34]

On August 29, 2023, Bailey was waived by the Chargers and re-signed to the practice squad. ^{[35] [36]} He was promoted to the active roster on September 23. ^[37] He was placed on injured reserve on December 9. ^[38]

References

1. "Zack Bailey". South Carolina Gamecocks. 22 June 2018.
2. McLemore, Dwayne (December 19, 2014). "Gamecocks scarce at Shrine Bowl". The State . p. C3 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Dearing, Chris; Kendall, Josh (August 28, 2017). "Why is Zack Bailey raising his coach's blood pressure?". The State . p. B1, B2 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Kendall, Josh (November 17, 2018). "Zack Bailey stuck around for senior day – now it's here". The Herald . p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Zack Bailey Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
6. "2019 NFL Draft Scout Zack Bailey College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
7. "Zack Bailey". nflcombineresults.com.
8. "NFL Combine 2019: Zack Bailey not full speed yet" . The State . February 28, 2019.
9. "South Carolina's Zack Bailey signs with Tampa Bay after draft" . The State . April 27, 2019.
10. Stroud, Rick (September 2, 2019). "There's a lot to like about this Bucs 53-man roster". Tampa Bay Times .
11. Smith, Scott (October 11, 2019). "C Nate Trewyn Promoted Following Zack Bailey Injury". Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
12. Encina, Eduardo A. (September 6, 2020). "See the Bucs' 53-man roster". Tampa Bay Times .
13. "Zack Bailey Transactions & Injuries". sportsforecaster.com.
14. Eck, Kevin (November 5, 2020). "Late for Work 11/5: Midseason Grades for Lamar Jackson and Rest of Offense". Baltimore Ravens.
15. Levine, Ben (November 17, 2020). "Patriots host DT Akeem Spence". Yardbarker .
16. White, Jack (December 2, 2020). "Vikings have a tryout with guard Zack Bailey". USA Today .
17. Ragatz, Will (December 8, 2020). "Vikings Waive Holton Hill, Ending Three-Year Experiment". Sports Illustrated .
18. Tomasson, Chris (January 4, 2021). "Vikings QBs Nate Stanley, Jake Browning among eight to sign futures contracts". Post-Bulletin .
19. Ragatz, Will (August 31, 2021). "Minnesota Vikings Set Initial 53-Man Roster for 2021 Season". Sports Illustrated .
20. White, Jack (September 1, 2021). "Vikings practice squad tracker: Who will the team sign?". Yahoo! Sports .
21. Tomasson, Chris (October 13, 2021). "RB Dalvin Cook back at practice for Vikings, but five starters sit out". Twin Cities Pioneer Press .
22. "Zack Bailey". Indianapolis Colts.
23. "Colts Sign S Jahleel Addae, TE Eli Wolf To Practice Squad, Release G Zack Bailey From Practice Squad". Indianapolis Colts. October 26, 2021.
24. Wilson, Aaron (October 28, 2021). "Sources: Texans working out Zack Bailey, T.J. Green". iHeartMedia.
25. Brener, Jeremy (November 2, 2021). "Washington LISTEN: WFT Signs New RB Wendell Smallwood; Should Jaret Patterson Get More Carries?". Sports Illustrated .
26. Jhabvala, Nicki (December 23, 2021). "Washington QB Taylor Heinicke activated from covid-19 list as Cowboys game looms". The Washington Post .
27. Trotta, Jerry (January 15, 2022). "Meet Washington's first signings to reserve/future contracts for 2022". Riggo's Rag. FanSided.
28. Manning, Bryan (May 16, 2022). "Commanders make multiple moves, including claiming offensive tackle from Broncos". USA Today .
29. Peterson, Michael (May 17, 2022). "Chargers claim OG Zack Bailey off waivers". Bolts From The Blue. SB Nation.
30. Peterson, Michael (August 30, 2022). "Chargers 2022 Cuts Tracker: DT Christian Covington among latest cuts reported". Bolts From The Blue. SB Nation.
31. Peterson, Michael (September 1, 2022). "Chargers sign 14 players to practice squad". Bolts From The Blue. SB Nation.
32. "Los Angeles Chargers Activate Tackle Zack Bailey". Los Angeles Chargers. December 3, 2022.
33. "Zack Bailey Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
34. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign 12 Players to Contracts". Chargers.com. January 17, 2023.
35. "Los Angeles Chargers Reduce Roster to 53 Players". Chargers.com. August 29, 2023.
36. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign 12 Players to Practice Squad". Chargers.com. August 30, 2023.
37. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Zack Bailey to Active Roster". Chargers.com. September 23, 2023.
38. "Chargers Place Zack Bailey on Injured Reserve; Elevate Stephen Anderson". Chargers.com. December 9, 2023.