When New England Patriots acquired Bailey Zappe with the 137th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, behind Mac Jones and backup QB – Brian Hoyer, who would’ve expected the rookie to ever be able to start for his team in the current season. However, the 24-year-old has surpassed all expectations.
With Mac Jones being side-lined due to a high ankle sprain, it was the backup QB, who went on to impress Bull Belichick and the Patriots’ fans to the core. After showcasing his talent, fans even yelled his name despite Mac Jones contesting on the field. Result of which, Bailey Zappe was brought in a bid to change the course of the game against Chicago Bears.
On the same note, let us look upon the background of Bailey Zappe and how he was in his college career. The 24-year-old spent his final year of eligibility at Western Kentucky. It was the same place where he broke the FBS season records for throwing yards and passing touchdowns. Interestingly, he spent his first three seasons of collegiate football at Houston Baptist.
Was Bailey Zappe a natural footballing prospect?
To turn back the history pages and let us look at the individual stats of Bailey Zappe. In his first season with the Huskies at Houston Baptist, the young QB prodigy started in nine encounters, wherein he threw for 1,548 yards with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions and ran for two additional scores.
Moreover, Bailey Zappe completed 357 of his 560 throws for 3,811 yards, 35 TouchDowns, and 15 interceptions as a junior.
As a senior, he played in four games during a condensed season after the Southland Conference’s fall football season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passing for 1,833 yards and 15 TouchDowns against one interception.
After the season, Zappe entered the transfer portal, wherein he was picked by the iconic Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots.
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