Zander Horvath

Last updated

Zander Horvath
Personal information
Born: (1998-12-10) December 10, 1998 (age 25)
Mishawaka, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school: Marian
(Mishawaka, Indiana)
College: Purdue (2017–2021)
Position: Fullback
NFL draft: 2022  / round: 7 / pick: 260
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:4
Rushing yards:8
Receptions:5
Receiving yards:8
Receiving touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Alexander (Zander) John Horvath (born December 10, 1998) is an American professional football fullback. He played college football at Purdue, and has previously played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Contents

Early life

Zander went to Saint Bavo for elementary and middle school, where he played football and graduated from in 2013. Horvath then also played football at Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana. [1] He recorded 3,373 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground, earning all-state and USA Today Midwest Regional All-American honors. [2]

College career

Horvath initially committed to Indiana to play linebacker as a preferred walk-on, but switched commitments when Purdue running backs coach Chris Barclay offered him a chance to play his natural position of running back. [3] [4]

Horvath did not play in 2017.

In 2018, Horvath appeared in 13 games, rushing nine times for 42 yards and a touchdown. Horvath also caught four passes for 38 yards. [5]

In 2019, Horvath's role expanded. Horvath appeared in 11 games, starting four. He rushed 79 times for 377 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 17 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. [6]

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Horvath appeared in 6 games, starting five. He rushed 89 times for 442 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 30 passes for 304 yards. [7]

In his senior year of 2021, Horvath rushed 91 times for 320 yards, and caught 17 passes for 108 yards. [8]

Professional career

Pre-draft

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 1+3⁄4 in
(1.87 m)		232 lb
(105 kg)		32 in
(0.81 m)		8+3⁄4 in
(0.22 m)		4.61 s1.57 s2.58 s4.25 s6.75 s35.5 in
(0.90 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		31 reps
All values from Pro Day [9] [10]

Initially not projected to be a drafted player, Horvath intrigued scouts with his elite positional athleticism for a fullback, scoring a 9.83 out of 10 Raw Athletic Score (RAS). [11]

Los Angeles Chargers (first stint)

Horvath was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round (260th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. [12] He became the first running back or fullback to catch a touchdown in his first two games since 1942. [13] He was released by the Chargers on August 30, 2023. [14]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 2, 2023, Horvath signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers. [15] He was released on October 9. [16]

Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)

Horvath was re-signed to the Chargers practice squad on November 22, 2023. [17] He was released on December 1. [18]

New Orleans Saints

On March 7, 2024, Horvath signed with the New Orleans Saints. [19] On August 13, Horvath was waived by the Saints. [20]

Miami Dolphins

On August 19, 2024, Horvath signed with the Miami Dolphins. [21] He was waived on August 27. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorenzo Neal</span> American football player (born 1970)

Lorenzo LaVonne Neal is an American former football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. Neal played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro, he was also a member of the New York Jets, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tennessee Titans, the Cincinnati Bengals, the San Diego Chargers, the Baltimore Ravens and the Oakland Raiders. Considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history, Neal blocked for a 1,000-plus-yard running back in eleven straight seasons from 1997 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heath Evans</span> American football player and sports analyst (born 1978)

Bryan Heath Evans is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Auburn Tigers, he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints, the last of which he won a Super Bowl with while on injured reserve. Evans retired after the 2010 season and was formerly an analyst with NFL Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Peelle</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Justin Morris Peelle is a former American football tight end and coach who is the tight ends coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carey Davis</span> American football player (born 1981)

Carey Alexander Davis is an American former professional football fullback and current broadcaster. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcel Reece</span> American football player and executive (born 1985)

Marcel Antoine Wayne Reece is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a wide receiver for the Washington Huskies and was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent after the 2008 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Oakland Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks. After his playing career, Reece became an executive with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.

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

Tyler Clutts is a former American football fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Fresno State University.

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

Dominique Raheem Mostert is an American professional football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.

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

Randy "Duke" Johnson Jr. is an American former professional football running back who played eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft after playing college football at the University of Miami. He played in the NFL for the Browns, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills.

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

Michael Burton is an American professional football fullback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Rutgers, and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also played for the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins, and Kansas City Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Zenner</span> American football player (born 1991)

Zachary Zenner is a former American football running back. He played college football at South Dakota State. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions in 2015. Zenner also played for the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, and Miami Dolphins.

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

Myles Gaskin is an American professional football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft.

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

Kalen Ballage is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Augustus Edwards is a Liberian professional American football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami (FL) before transferring to Rutgers and signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Edwards' nickname is "Gus the Bus"; he is known for his large size and "bruising" running style.

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

Jeffery Wilson Jr. is an American professional football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Texas and signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

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

Alec Ingold is an American professional football fullback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony McFarland Jr.</span> American football player (born 1998)

Anthony McFarland Jr. is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Robinson (running back)</span> American football player (born 1998)

James Robinson is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Illinois State Redbirds and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020, and was traded to the New York Jets in 2022. In 2020, Robinson broke the National Football League (NFL) record for most scrimmage yards of any undrafted rookie.

Salvon Ahmed is an American professional football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Mason (American football)</span> American football player (born 1999)

Ben Robert Mason is an American professional football fullback and tight end. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Cook (running back)</span> American football player (born 1999)

James Dalvin Cook is an American professional football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Bills in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ Noie, Tom (September 1, 2016). "Speed, power drive Marian RB Horvath". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  2. ↑ Glaspie, Akeem (November 30, 2019). "Told he was a linebacker, Purdue's Zander Horvath proving he's a running back — and more". The Indianapolis Star . Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ Fezler, D. J. (March 31, 2022). "Purdue Running Back Zander Horvath Posts Impressive Pro Day Performance". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ↑ Fezler, D. J. (August 30, 2022). "Former Purdue Running Back Zander Horvath Makes Chargers' Initial 53-Man Roster". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2018 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2019 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2020 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2021 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Chargers select Zander Horvath with No. 260 pick in 2022 draft". NFL.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  10. ↑ "2022 NFL Draft Scout Zander Horvath College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  11. ↑ Peterson, Michael (April 30, 2022). "Chargers select FB Zander Horvath with the 260th-overall pick". Bolts From The Blue. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  12. ↑ Horner, Scott (April 30, 2022). "Purdue running back Zander Horvath picked in the seventh round by the Chargers". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  13. ↑ Harvey, Paul (September 16, 2022). "Zander Horvath becomes first RB/FB in 80 years to achieve impressive start". Saturday Tradition. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers Claim Linebacker Tanner Muse". Chargers.com. August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ Varley, Teresa (September 2, 2023). "Steelers sign three to practice squad". Steelers.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  16. ↑ Varley, Teresa (October 9, 2023). "Steelers make roster moves". Steelers.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers Place Joey Bosa on Injured Reserve; Sign Andrew Farmer II to Active Roster". Chargers.com. November 22, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  18. ↑ Borquez, Gavino (December 1, 2023). "Chargers sign OL Austen Pleasants to practice squad". Chargers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  19. ↑ "New Orleans Saints sign fullback Zander Horvath". NewOrleansSaints.com. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  20. ↑ Alper, Josh (August 13, 2024). "Saints sign CB Kaleb Ford-Dement, waive FB Zander Horvath". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 19, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 27, 2024.
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.