From Record-Breaking College Star to NFL Underdog
Bailey Zappe’s football journey is the stuff quarterback dreams are made of—except his path has been anything but traditional. From a lesser-known college program to breaking NCAA records, and now fighting for a roster spot in the NFL, Zappe’s story is one of perseverance, precision, and patience.
College Career: From Houston Baptist to Historic Heights
Zappe began his college career at Houston Baptist University (HBU), a small FCS program where he made an early mark. By 2019, he was already leading the FCS in touchdown passes (35) and averaging over 300 yards per game. He also led the nation in completions and attempts per game, showing off both volume and efficiency.
In 2021, Zappe transferred to Western Kentucky University (WKU)—and that’s when he truly exploded.
2021 Stats at WKU:
5,967 passing yards 62 passing touchdowns FBS single-season records in both categories
His lone season at WKU rewrote the NCAA record books and made Zappe a national name.
NFL Journey: Drafted by the Patriots
Zappe was selected in the 4th round of the 2022 NFL Draft (137th overall) by the New England Patriots. In his rookie year, he unexpectedly saw playing time when starter Mac Jones went down, and he impressed—winning both of his starts and looking sharp with his reads and accuracy.
However, concerns remained about his arm strength and athletic ceiling. By the 2023 season, the Patriots waived him, though he remained close to the team on the practice squad.
A New Chapter: Kansas City Chiefs
In August 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Zappe to their practice squad, where he currently sits behind starter Patrick Mahomes and veteran backup Carson Wentz.
During the 2025 preseason, Zappe appeared in limited action:
12 completions on 23 attempts 95 passing yards Passer rating: 26.5
While not eye-popping, he remains a potential depth option in one of the league’s most stable quarterback environments.
More:
Full Name: Bailey Michael Zappe
Birth Date: April 26, 1999
Colleges: Houston Baptist, Western Kentucky
NFL Draft: 2022 – Round 4, Pick 137
Current Team: Cleveland Browns
Strengths: Football IQ, accuracy, calm under pressure
Areas to Improve – Arm strength, mobility, consistency
Final Word
Bailey Zappe’s story isn’t about overnight stardom—it’s about maximizing opportunity. He doesn’t have the rocket arm or elite athletic traits of top-tier quarterbacks, but what he does bring is poise, intelligence, and proven production when given the chance.
Whether he remains in a backup role or eventually gets another shot to lead a team, Zappe has already shown he belongs on the NFL radar.
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