Olamide Zaccheaus

Olamide Zaccheaus
refer to caption
Zaccheaus with the Washington Commanders in 2024
No. 14 – Washington Commanders
Position:
Personal information
Born: (1997-07-23) July 23, 1997 (age 27)
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:193 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:St. Joseph's Preparatory (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
College:Virginia (2015–2018)
Undrafted:2019
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2024
Receptions:139
Receiving yards:1,862
Receiving touchdowns:12
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Olamide Zaccheaus (/oʊˈlɑːmɪdeɪ zɑːˈkiːʌs/ oh-LAH-mih-day zah-KEE-us;[1] born July 23, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers and has also played for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.

Early years

Zaccheaus was born on July 23, 1997, in Plainfield, New Jersey. At age seven, he moved to Magnolia, New Jersey in Camden County, New Jersey.[2] He played high school football at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia.

College career

Zaccheaus was a member of the Virginia Cavaliers for four seasons. He was named second team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) after catching 85 passes for 895 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.[3]

As a senior, Zaccheaus led the ACC with 93 receptions for 1,058 yards and nine touchdowns and was named first team All-ACC.[4]

He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2018 Belk Bowl, his final game as a Cavalier, after making 12 receptions for 100 yards receiving and three touchdowns.[5]

Zaccheaus finished his collegiate career with 250 receptions for 2,753 yards and 22 touchdowns while also rushing 79 times for 551 yards and two touchdowns in 50 games played.[6]

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
5 ft 8+1⁄4 in
(1.73 m) 		188 lb
(85 kg) 		31 in
(0.79 m) 		8+3⁄4 in
(0.22 m)		 4.49 s 1.58 s 2.62 s 4.19 s 7.00 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)		 10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		 12 reps
All values from Pro Day[7]

Atlanta Falcons

Zaccheaus with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021

Zaccheaus signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019, and made the 53-man roster out of training camp.[8] Zaccheaus made his NFL debut on October 13, 2019, against the Arizona Cardinals, making a tackle on special teams.[9] In the Falcons' 40–20 victory against the Carolina Panthers on December 8, 2019, Zaccheaus recorded his first reception in the NFL,[10] a 93-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan, which was the third-longest reception in franchise history, and set an NFL record for the longest first catch.[11] In Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, Zaccheaus returned a fumble for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the 29–22 win.[12] Zaccheaus finished his rookie season with three receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown on offense and two tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown on special teams.[13]

In Week 9 of the 2020 season against the Denver Broncos, Zaccheaus had his first 100-yard game with four receptions for 103 receiving yards and a touchdown in the 34–27 victory.[14] He was placed on injured reserve on December 1, 2020.[15] Zaccheaus finished the season with 20 receptions for 274 yards and one touchdown in 11 games played.[16]

In Week 8 of the 2021 season against the New Orleans Saints, Zaccheaus had three receptions for 58 yards and a career-high two touchdowns in the 27–25 win.[17] Zaccheaus finished the season with 31 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.[18]

On March 15, 2022, the Falcons placed a restricted free agent tender on Zaccheaus. On April 19, 2022, Zaccheaus signed his right-of-refusal tender, ensuring his return to the Falcons.[19] Zaccheaus played in all 17 games, of which he started 13. He finished with 40 receptions for 533 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[20]

Philadelphia Eagles

On April 20, 2023, Zaccheaus signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.[21] He finished the season with 10 receptions for 164 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.[22]

Washington Commanders

On April 1, 2024, Zaccheaus signed with the Washington Commanders.[23]

In Week 16 of the 2024 season against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, Zaccheaus recorded 5 catches for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 36-33 win.[24]

The following week, against another former team, the Falcons, Zaccheaus led the Commanders with 8 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. [25]

References

  1. ^ Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens; NFL Week 16; Saturday, December 24, 2022; 1:00 PM ET; M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore Ravens. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Santoliquito, Joseph (September 12, 2019). "The journey of the Wizard of Oz (also known as South Jersey's Olamide Zaccheaus) to Atlanta". PhillyVoice. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  3. ^ Kurz, Jr., Hank (May 7, 2018). "Cavaliers looking to get Zaccheaus the ball in open space". Yahoo Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  4. ^ Dillman, Damon (January 8, 2019). "UVA record book needs revising after 2018 season". cbs19news.com. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Zamoff, Zach (December 29, 2018). "Virginia crushes South Carolina 28-0, wins Belk Bowl". The Cavalier Daily. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  6. ^ Guttman, Paul (April 25, 2019). "NFL Draft Profile: Virginia WR Olamide Zaccheaus". StreakingTheLawn.com. SB Nation. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  7. ^ "Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia, WR, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Weaver, Tim (April 27, 2019). "Report: Falcons sign Virginia WR Olamide Zaccheaus". Falcons Wire. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  9. ^ Choate, Dave (October 15, 2019). "Falcons snap counts for yet another loss to the Cardinals". TheFalcoholic.com. SB Nation. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "Ryan leads Falcons to another big win over Panthers, 40-20". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Associated Press. December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019. [...] the longest TD of Ryan's 12-year career, and the first career reception for Zaccheaus, an undrafted rookie.
  11. ^ Conway, Kelsey (December 8, 2019). "Undersized and undrafted, Olamide Zaccheaus sets record, proves doubters wrong". Atlanta Falcons. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "Matt Ryan, Falcons rally in final seconds, stun 49ers 29-22". ESPN. Associated Press. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  13. ^ Doughty, Doug (December 30, 2019). "UVa football notebook: Dubois a big contributor for Cavs in 2019". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  14. ^ "Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons - November 8th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  15. ^ McFadden, Will (December 1, 2020). "Falcons place Olamide Zaccheaus on IR, promote Laquon Treadwell to active roster". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  16. ^ Ledbetter, D. Orlando (September 25, 2021). "Falcon on the hot seat Sunday: Olamide Zaccheaus at wide receiver". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  17. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints - November 7th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  18. ^ Patra, Kevin (June 23, 2022). "WR Olamide Zaccheaus feels like Falcons are playoff team: 'We can shock a lot of people'". NFL.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  19. ^ Urben, Matt (April 19, 2022). "Falcons WR Olamide Zaccheaus signs free-agent tender". Falcons Wire. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  20. ^ "Olamide Zaccheaus 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  21. ^ Spadaro, Dave (April 20, 2023). "Spadaro: An under-the-radar gem? Olamide Zaccheaus is an ideal fit for the Eagles' offense". Philadelphia Eagles. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  22. ^ "Olamide Zaccheaus 2023 Stats per Game - NFL". ESPN. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "Commanders sign WR Oladmide Zaccheaus". Commanders.com. April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  24. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders - December 22nd, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  25. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders - December 29, 2024".
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