Zach Wilson

BIOGRAPHY

Zachary Kapono Wilson is known for his exceptional football career which is peppered with tenacity and resilience, a testament to his team spirit and dedication to the sport. Born on August 3, 1999, the American professional football player serves as a quarterback for the Denver Broncos, a position he took over in 2024.

Wilson’s affinity for football began during his formative years in Draper, Utah, where he was born and raised. He nurtured his passion for the sport at the Corner Canyon High School (CCHS) football team, where he showcased impressive stats by passing for 2,986 yards and 24 touchdowns, and rushing for 752 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior year. After a brief commitment to Boise State University, he chose Brigham Young University (BYU), marking the beginning of a prolific college football career.

As a true freshman at BYU in 2018, Wilson had a promising start, playing in nine games with seven starts and completing 120 of 182 passes. He etched his name in history as the youngest quarterback to start a game for BYU, setting a high bar for his athletic journey. Further solidifying his place as a key player, Wilson was named the MVP of the 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, with a notable performance that included completing all 18 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns. The following year, despite an unfortunate loss at the 2019 Hawaii Bowl, he earned the title of BYU’s MVP.

In his junior year, Wilson outdid his previous achievements, with a whopping 3,692 yards from 247 successful completions out of 336 passes, an impressive 33 touchdowns, and 255 rushing yards. He capped off the season by becoming one of the recipients of the 2020 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.

Post-college, Wilson got his big break in NFL during the 2021 draft. Selected second overall by the New York Jets, he became not only the second of five quarterbacks picked in the first round but also the highest-ever drafted from BYU. Despite an inconsistent career start with the Jets, he remained steadfast, later earning his first career win against the Tennessee Titans with a decisive 53-yard pass.

Unfortunately, Wilson’s momentum dipped in 2022 due to a non-contact bone bruise and meniscus tear during a preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the setback, he made a strong comeback to lead the Jets to a 24-20 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 4. However, after being demoted to third-string backup, he faced irregular playing time owing to the team’s performance and players’ injuries.

In 2023, despite starting as a backup for the star player Aaron Rodgers, Wilson unexpectedly found himself in the leading role during a tragic Monday Night Football game where Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury. Despite the pressure, Wilson proved his mettle, successfully rising to the challenge and subsequently being promoted to starting quarterback. His career highs included a 117.9 passer rating during a 30-6 victory over the Texans.

However, Wilson’s journey met another bump when he was traded to Denver Broncos in 2024. The team decided to use Wilson as the third-string quarterback, which meant less playing time for him. Yet, the resilient player continued to work hard and contribute to his team’s success.

Off the field, Wilson’s personal life is as vibrant as his professional career. The son of Michael and Lisa Wilson and part Hawaiian through his father’s lineage, he comes from a family of achievers, including airline entrepreneur David Neeleman and HealthEquity co-founder Stephen Neeleman. He is diagnosed with ADHD, a trait that runs in his family and part of a close-knit community that includes his childhood friend and former BYU Cougars teammate, Dax Milne.

Wilson is deeply spiritual, deeply believing in God, despite not being an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church he was baptized in. He maintains a balance between his personal life and his demanding professional career, evident when he announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend Nicolette Dellanno in 2024.

Without a doubt, Zachary Kapono Wilson’s journey as a professional football player is an inspirational story of steadfastness, resilience, and triumphant comebacks. Despite setbacks and hardships, Wilson’s dedication to the sport clearly shows his passion and unfettered spirit for football.