Zech McPhearson

Zech McPhearson's Biography

Zechariah McPhearson, popularly known as Zech, was born on the 21st of March 1998 in Baltimore, Maryland. Today, he is a recognised American professional football cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, which is part of the National Football League (NFL). However, his journey to this point has been marked by hard work, dedication, and uncanny resilience that began during his high school years.

A student of Riverdale Baptist High School, Zech decided to further his studies at two renowned universities: Penn State University and Texas Tech University, both known for their prominent football programs. His university choice wasn’t a coincidence; it was dictated by his passion for football and the drive to follow in the footsteps of his sports-centric family.

During his college football years at Penn State, Zech showed great promise, playing a total of 9 games over two seasons. Despite the limited opportunity, he managed to make a notable impact with 14 tackles. However, his time at Penn State was short-lived as he later transferred to Texas Tech, a decision that took his college football career to new heights.

With the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Zech had an outstanding junior year, playing and beginning in all 12 games of the season. Even more remarkable was his performance on the field, where he recorded 51 tackles (42 solo) and blocked two kicks. The senior year added another feather to his cap as he displayed an equally impressive performance. He made appearances in all 10 games, starting in 9, and amassed 53 tackles, with a minimum of two tackles in every game.

The highlight of his senior year was securing four interceptions within the season. His phenomenal performance didn’t go unnoticed; he received the First-team All-Big 12 Conference title awarded by the conference coaches, the Associated Press, and the Phil Steele Magazine. Additionally, he was lauded by the Pro Football Focus with the third-team All-American title and was named First-team All-Texas by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

In the 2021 NFL draft, Zech was drafted in the fourth round as the 123rd pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. He officially commenced his professional football career with a rookie contract signed on the 3rd of June, 2021, with Philadelphia.

His professional journey has also had quite a promising start. In Week 1 of the 2022 season, he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his two special teams tackles and recovery of a surprise onside kick attempt in a triumphant match against the Detroit Lions. This garnered him the distinction of being the first Eagle to receive the award since Jake Elliott in 2021.

However, not all matches have been as triumphant. In a 2023 preseason match against Cleveland, Zech suffered a torn Achilles tendon, putting an end to his season. He was subsequently waived due to injury in August 2023 and placed on injured reserve. Despite this, he was determined to bounce back, and by August 2024, he had recovered, although he was waived once again by the Eagles.

Undeterred, Zech continued his professional journey and was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars to their practice squad on September 10, 2024.

Zech’s passion for football is more than just a personal journey; it’s a familial legacy. His father, Gerrick, tried out for the defensive back position for the New England Patriots in 1988. His mother, Kim, herself a footballer, played for the National Women’s Football League. Furthermore, sports prowess flows through his siblings as well; Gerrick played for the New York Giants. Derrick played football at the University of Illinois and also spent some time with the Milwaukee Brewers organisation. Emmanuel, Joshua and Jeremiah pursued football at the University of New Mexico, Penn State, and IUP, respectively. Matthew’s skills earned him a fourth-round draft pick fresh out of high school to the Arizona Diamondback organisation, while Kimberly plays collegiate soccer. Sports, thus, form an integral part of McPhearson’s familial genealogy and remain a driving factor in Zech’s professional endeavours.