50 Facts About Bailey Zappe

Bailey Zappe: From Texas to the NFL

Bailey Zappe's journey from a small-town high school quarterback to an NFL player is truly inspiring. His story is filled with determination, hard work, and a love for football. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about his life and career.

1. Early Life: Born on April 26, 1999, in Victoria, Texas, Zappe grew up in a town known for its love of football.

2. High School Career: At Victoria East High School, he passed for 3,770 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior, showcasing his talent early on.

3. College Commitment: Despite his impressive high school stats, Zappe was not heavily recruited and committed to Houston Baptist University, his only scholarship offer.

4. College Football Debut: He began his college career at Houston Baptist University in 2017, quickly making a name for himself.

5. Houston Baptist University: Zappe started all 11 games in 2018 and 9-of-11 contests as a true freshman in 2017, proving his consistency.

6. Southland Conference: He earned Southland Conference Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll all four years while studying sports medicine.

College Success and Records

Zappe's college career was marked by record-breaking performances and numerous accolades. His time at Western Kentucky University was particularly noteworthy.

7. Transfer to Western Kentucky: For his final year of eligibility, Zappe transferred to Western Kentucky University in 2021.

8. Western Kentucky University: At WKU, he set FBS season records for passing yards and touchdowns in 2021.

9. Air Raid Offense: Zappe thrived under the Air Raid offense, which emphasized quick passes and high volume of throws.

10. Zach Kittley: Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley played a significant role in Zappe's development and success.

11. College Statistics: In his final season, he completed 475-of-686 passes (69.2%) for 5,987 yards, with 62 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

12. Boca Raton Bowl: Zappe set new all-time single-season FBS records in this bowl game, surpassing Texas Tech's B.J. Symons and LSU's Joe Burrow.

13. Conference USA MVP: He was named the Conference USA Most Valuable Player in 2021.

14. All-CUSA First Team: Zappe was selected to the All-CUSA First Team in 2021.

15. Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award: He won this award in 2021, recognizing the top player in Texas.

Awards and Recognition

Zappe's college career was filled with awards and recognition, highlighting his talent and hard work.

16. Manning Award Finalist: He was a finalist for this award, honoring the top quarterback in college football.

17. Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist: Zappe was a semifinalist for this prestigious quarterback award.

18. Pro Football Network Awards: He received several awards, including All-American – Second Team and Offensive Player of the Year in 2021.

19. 247Sports All-Transfer Team: Zappe was named to this team in 2021.

20. PFF College Awards: He earned PFF College C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and PFF College All-CUSA First Team in 2021.

Transition to the NFL

Zappe's transition to the NFL was marked by determination and a desire to prove himself at the professional level.

21. NFL Draft: He was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

22. New England Patriots Career: Initially a backup, Zappe became the primary starter for the Patriots near the end of the 2023 season.

23. Preseason Start: In the 2023 preseason, Zappe saw significant action, including a notable performance against the Carolina Panthers.

24. Fan Reactions: Throughout his career, Zappe experienced a wide range of fan reactions, from support to criticism.

25. Quarterback Competition: The 2023 offseason brought changes at the quarterback position for the Patriots, including the trade of Mac Jones.

26. Drake Maye and Joe Milton III: The Patriots drafted these players, adding depth to their quarterback roster.

27. Preseason Game Against Panthers: Zappe led the Patriots to a scoring drive, including a key 28-yard pass play to receiver Kayshon Boutte.

28. Mindset on Crowd Reactions: He maintains a positive mindset, believing that scoring will keep the crowd happy.

29. Career with Patriots: Despite roster changes, Zappe remains focused on his career with the Patriots.

Physical Attributes and College Achievements

Zappe's physical attributes and college achievements set him apart as a talented quarterback.

30. Height and Weight: Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 220 pounds, Zappe has the physical build for a quarterback.

31. College Awards and Honors: He received numerous awards during his college career, including invites to the NFL Scouting Combine and Reese's Senior Bowl.

32. College Records: Zappe set multiple records, including the most passing yards and touchdowns in a single season.

33. Notable Games: Some of his standout games include a 59-21 victory over UT Martin and a 38-35 loss to Army.

34. Western Kentucky's Success: Under Zappe's leadership, WKU averaged 43.1 points per game in 2021.

35. Zach Kittley's Influence: The Air Raid scheme, led by Kittley, significantly contributed to Zappe's success.

Love for Football and Professional Growth

Zappe's love for football and dedication to his craft have been key to his success.

36. Zappe's Love for Football: He consistently demonstrates his passion by studying film and understanding the game.

37. Zappe's Early Struggles: Despite early challenges, Zappe persevered to become a prolific passer.

38. Zappe's Transfer to Western Kentucky: This move provided him the opportunity to play at the FBS level and set new records.

39. Zappe's Impact on Western Kentucky: His presence significantly impacted the team's success, leading to multiple victories.

40. Zappe's Awards and Recognition: He received numerous awards during his college career, including Conference USA MVP.

Professional Career and Future Prospects

Zappe's professional career is just beginning, and his potential for growth is immense.

41. Zappe's Professional Career: After being drafted by the Patriots, he is working to establish himself in the NFL.

42. Zappe's Current Team: As of 2024, Zappe plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, marking a new chapter in his career.

43. Zappe's Height and Weight: Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 220 pounds, he has the physical attributes for success.

44. Zappe's College Statistics: In his final season, he completed 475-of-686 passes for 5,987 yards, with 62 touchdowns.

45. Zappe's NFL Draft Status: Selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

46. Zappe's Preseason Performance: In the 2023 preseason, he performed well, leading the Patriots to a scoring drive.

47. Zappe's Mindset on Fan Reactions: He maintains a positive outlook, focusing on scoring to keep fans happy.

48. Zappe's Role in the Patriots Organization: Initially a backup, he became the primary starter near the end of the 2023 season.

49. Zappe's Impact on the Patriots Roster: His addition brought depth and competition to the quarterback position.

50. Zappe's Future in Football: With continued growth, Bailey Zappe is poised to make significant contributions to his team and potentially become a key player in the NFL.

Zappe's Path to NFL Stardom

Bailey Zappe's journey from Victoria, Texas to the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. His high school days at Victoria East laid the groundwork for his future success, even when he wasn't heavily recruited. Choosing Houston Baptist University turned out to be a pivotal decision, where he honed his skills and caught the eye of Western Kentucky University. There, he shattered records and proved his mettle as a quarterback. Drafted by the New England Patriots, Zappe's transition to the pros was marked by perseverance and adaptability. Now with the Kansas City Chiefs, he's poised to make waves in the league. Zappe's story is a testament to hard work, dedication, and seizing opportunities. His rise in the football world serves as a beacon for aspiring athletes, showing that with determination, anything is possible. Keep an eye on this rising star!