{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Zach Davidson | image = Zach Davidson (55214707644) (cropped).jpg | caption = Davidson with the Louisville Kings in 2026 | current_team =Louisville Kings | number =84 | position = Tight end | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|7|15}} | birth_place = Webb City, Missouri, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 7 | weight_lb = 251 | high_school = Webb City | college = Central Missouri (2016–2020) | draftyear = 2021 | draftround = 5 | draftpick = 168 | pastteams = * Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2021}}) * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2022|2024}}) * New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2025}}) * Louisville Kings ({{UFL Year|2026}}–present) | status =Active | highlights = * First-team Division II All-American (2019) * First-team All-MIAA (2019) * Second-team All-MIAA (2017) | statleague = NFL | statseason = 2024 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Receptions | statvalue1 = 1 | statlabel2 =Receiving yards | statvalue2 = 5 | statlabel3 =Receiving touchdowns | statvalue3 = | pfr = D/DaviZa00 }}
'''Zach Davidson''' (born July 15, 1998) is an American professional football tight end for the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Central Missouri Mules (where he additionally played as punter) and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.
==Early life== Davidson grew up in Webb City, Missouri and attended Webb City High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fourstateshomepage.com/sports/local-sports/journey-to-the-draft-zach-davidsons-path-to-the-nfl/|title=Journey to the draft: Zach Davidson's path to the NFL|first=Shea|last=Schrader|website=FourStatesHomepage.com|date=April 4, 2021|access-date=April 18, 2021}}</ref> He was originally a backup tight end on Webb City's junior varsity team, but became the punter for the varsity team after the Cardinals' regular punter was suspended.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2021-nfl-draft-zach-davidson-central-missouri-martin-rogers|title=The incredible journey of 2021 NFL Draft prospect Zach Davidson|first=Martin|last=Rogers|website=Fox Sports|date=April 29, 2021|access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> He was an All-State selection as a junior and senior at punter.<ref name=CBS/>
==College career== Davidson began his career at Central Missouri solely as a punter and redshirted his true freshman year.<ref name=CBS>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-draft-from-division-ii-punter-to-nfl-tight-end-the-most-intriguing-prospect-youve-never-heard-of/|title=2021 NFL Draft: From Division II punter to NFL tight end, the most intriguing prospect you've never heard of|first=Jason|last=La Canfora|website=CBS Sports|date=March 31, 2021|access-date=April 18, 2021}}</ref> As a redshirt freshman, he set a school record and finished second in the nation with 44.3 yards per punt on 47 punts and was named second-team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The following season, Davidson was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection at punter and also served as the Mules second tight end, finishing the season with 11 catches for 239 receiving yards and three touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.profootballnetwork.com/zach-davidson-nfl-draft-player-profile-central-missouri-tight-end/|title=Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri – NFL Draft Player Profile|date=12 April 2021 |access-date=April 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Henry |first=Jim |date=December 16, 2020 |title=Zach Davidson declares for NFL Draft |url=https://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/local_sports/zach-davidson-declares-for-nfl-draft/article_c7c2148c-caaf-57ef-a139-f90c15fca907.html |access-date=April 18, 2021 |website=The Joplin Globe}}</ref> He had 40 receptions for 894 Yards and 15 touchdowns in his redshirt junior and was named first-team All-MIAA at both punter and tight end as well as a first-team All-American.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/local_sports/zach-davidson-receives-second-all-america-honor/article_e8535cdc-90a1-59f7-a86e-24feee66cc85.html|title=Zach Davidson receives second All-America honor|work=The Joplin Globe|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=April 18, 2021}}</ref> Davidson opted to forgo his redshirt senior season, which was to be played in the spring due to COVID-19, and enter the 2021 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web |last=Almgren-Davis |first=Trent |date=March 22, 2021 |title=Zach Davidson displays his agility to NFL scouts |url=https://www.columbiamissourian.com/sports/zach-davidson-displays-his-agility-to-nfl-scouts/image_a645c9e4-8b51-11eb-853d-43a6ea178ab1.html |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=Columbia Missourian}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 6 5/8 | weight = 245 | dash = 4.62 | ten split = 1.74 | twenty split = 2.60 | shuttle = 4.26 | cone drill = 6.95 | vertical = 37.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 9 | bench = 17 | arm span = 32 | hand span = 9 1/2 | wonderlic = | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/zach-davidson/32004441-5610-4903-d81a-69e2bea869a8 |title=Zach Davidson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=September 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1025365&DraftYear=2021 |title=Zach Davidson, Central Missouri, TE, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=September 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zach Davidson 2021 NFL Draft Profile |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/105422 |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=insider.espn.com |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031203858/https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/105422 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> }}
===Minnesota Vikings=== Davidson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round, 168th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Vikings Round 5 Recap of 2021 NFL Draft|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/minnesota-vikings-round-5-recap-of-2021-nfl-draft|website=Vikings.com|date=May 1, 2021}}</ref> He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2021/05/13/wr-ihmir-smith-marsette-te-zach-davidson-agree-to-contract-terms-with-vikings/|title=WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, TE Zach Davidson agree to contract terms with Vikings|work=St. Paul Pioneer Press|date=May 14, 2021|access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> On August 31, Davidson was waived by the Vikings as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Announce Roster Moves to Get to Initial 53|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/roster-moves-initial-53-man-waived-injured|website=Vikings.com|date=August 31, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Claim TE Ben Ellefson & Sign 14 to Practice Squad|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/pratice-squad-ben-ellefson-tight-end-roster-2021|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=September 1, 2021}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on January 8, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Activate Christian Darrisaw & Ezra Cleveland, Make Multiple Roster Moves|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-activate-christian-darrisaw-ezra-cleveland-make-multiple-roster-moves|website=Vikings.com|date=January 8, 2022}}</ref>
On August 30, 2022, Davidson was waived as part of final roster cuts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/roster-moves-initial-53-man-waived-injured-2022|title=Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster|website=Vikings.com|date=August 30, 2022}}</ref>
===Buffalo Bills=== On September 1, 2022, Davidson was signed to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Alec |date=September 1, 2022 |title=Bills sign 3 more players to complete practice squad |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-3-more-players-to-complete-practice-squad |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills signed these players to reserve/future contracts for 2023|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-signed-these-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-for-2023|author=Jenkins, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=January 23, 2023}}</ref>
On June 15, 2023, Davidson was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Alec |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Bills sign TE Nick Guggemos |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-te-nick-guggemos |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref>
On August 27, 2024, Davidson was released by the Bills as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Alec |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Buffalo Bills made these moves to get to initial 53-man roster {{!}} 2024 |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/buffalo-bills-made-these-moves-to-get-to-initial-53-man-roster |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Alec |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Bills sign 16 players to 2024 practice squad |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-16-players-to-2024-practice-squad |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref>
In Week 11, Davidson was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was elevated to fill in for Dalton Kincaid, who was out due to a knee injury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Chris |date=November 16, 2024 |title=Bills elevate tight end Zach Davidson and tackle Richard Gouraige for Chiefs game|url= https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-elevate-tight-end-zach-davidson-and-tackle-richard-gouraige-for-chiefs-game|access-date=2024-11-16 |website=BuffaloBills.com}}</ref> He recorded his first regular season reception in the NFL. In Weeks 13 and 14, Davidson was again elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for their games against the San Francisco 49ers at home and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. In the latter game, he failed to log any stats while playing 16 offensive snaps and 16 snaps on special teams.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Rotowire |date=December 10, 2024 |title=Zach Davidson: Back to practice squad|url= https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/zach-davidson-back-to-practice-squad/amp/|access-date=2024-12-11|website=cbssports.com}}</ref>
On January 29, 2025, Davidson signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bills.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bills re-sign QB Shane Buechele, sign TE Zach Davidson to a reserve/future contract|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-re-sign-qb-shane-buechele-sign-te-zach-davidson-to-a-reserve-future-contract|access-date=February 2, 2025|website=buffalobills.com|language=en}}</ref> During a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was punched by Shilo Sanders after blocking Sanders during a play. Sanders hit Davidson in the helmet, which resulted in Sanders being ejected from the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=read |first=Jack BaerStaff writer·3 min |date=2025-08-24 |title=Shilo Sanders ejected from Buccaneers' preseason finale for taking a swing at Bills TE |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/shilo-sanders-ejected-from-buccaneers-preseason-finale-for-taking-a-swing-at-bills-te-004650447.html |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Guinhawa |first=Angelo |date=2025-08-24 |title=Alternate Angle Captures Blow That Got Shilo Sanders Ejected From Bucs-Bills |url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/alternate-angle-captures-blow-that-got-shilo-sanders-ejected-from-bucs-bills |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Athlon Sports |language=en}}</ref> On August 26, Davidson was released by the Bills as part of final roster cuts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glab |first=Maddy |date=26 August 2025 |title=Bills release 27 players Aug. 26 |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-release-27-players-aug-26 |access-date=27 August 2025 |website=Buffalo Bills}}</ref>
===New York Giants=== On November 11, 2025, Davidson was signed to the New York Giants' practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Giants Add Tight End to Practice Squad, Work Out Four Players|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/onsi/transactions/giants-add-tight-end-to-practice-squad-work-out-four-players|author=Traina, Patricia|work=Sports Illustrated|date=November 11, 2025}}</ref>
In Week 17, Davidson was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for their game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
=== Louisville Kings === On March 2, 2026, Davidson signed with the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Larsen |first1=James |title=Kings Add Tyler Hudson, Zach Davidson, & Jereme Robinson |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/kings-add-tyler-hudson-zach-davidson-jereme-robinson/ |website=PF Newsroom |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://ucmathletics.com/sports/football/roster/zach-davidson/5837 Central Missouri Mules bio]
{{Vikings2021DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davidson, Zach}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:American football punters Category:American football tight ends Category:Central Missouri Mules football players Category:People from Webb City, Missouri Category:Players of American football from Missouri Category:Minnesota Vikings players Category:Buffalo Bills players Category:New York Giants players Category:Louisville Kings players