Olamide Zaccheaus
{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Olamide Zaccheaus
| image = Preseason Week 1- Commanders at Jets - 53917477196.jpg
| caption = Zaccheaus with the Washington Commanders in 2024
| current_team = Chicago Bears
| number = 14
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|7|23}}
| birth_place = Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 8
| weight_lbs = 193
| high_school = St. Joseph's Preparatory {{nowrap|(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)}}
| college = Virginia (2015–2018)
| undraftedyear = 2019
| pastteams =
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2019|2022}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2023}})
- Washington Commanders ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 149
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,998
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 13
| pfr = Z/ZaccOl01
}}
Olamide Zaccheaus ({{IPAc-en|oʊ|ˈ|l|ɑː|m|ɪ|d|eɪ|_|z|ɑː|ˈ|k|iː|j|ʌ|s}} {{respell|oh|LAH|mih|day|_|zah|KEE|us}};[http://www.ravenspr.com/game_info/flip_card.pdf 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. born July 23, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers and has also played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders.
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.{{cite web | last=Santoliquito | first=Joseph | title=The journey of the Wizard of Oz (also known as South Jersey's Olamide Zaccheaus) to Atlanta | website=PhillyVoice | date=2019-09-12 | url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/the-journey-of-the-wizard-of-oz-also-known-as-south-jersey-st-joes-prep-olamide-zaccheaus-to-atlanta/ | access-date=2024-10-12}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Kurz, Jr. |first=Hank |date=May 7, 2018 |title=Cavaliers looking to get Zaccheaus the ball in open space |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/cavaliers-looking-zaccheaus-ball-open-space-162022081--ncaaf.html |access-date=October 14, 2019 |website=Yahoo Sports |publisher=Associated Press}}
As a senior, Zaccheaus led the ACC with 93 receptions for 1,058 yards and nine touchdowns and was named first team All-ACC.{{Cite web |last=Dillman |first=Damon |date=January 8, 2019 |title=UVA record book needs revising after 2018 season |url=https://www.cbs19news.com/content/sports/UVA-record-book-needs-revising-after-2018-season-504087711.html |access-date=October 13, 2019 |website=cbs19news.com}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Zamoff |first=Zach |date=December 29, 2018 |title=Virginia crushes South Carolina 28-0, wins Belk Bowl |url=https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2018/12/virginia-crushes-south-carolina-28-0-wins-belk-bowl |access-date=October 14, 2019 |website=The Cavalier Daily}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Guttman |first=Paul |date=April 25, 2019 |title=NFL Draft Profile: Virginia WR Olamide Zaccheaus |url=https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2019/4/25/18513482/nfl-draft-profile-olamide-zaccheaus-virginia-cavaliers-wide-receiver |access-date=October 14, 2019 |website=StreakingTheLawn.com |publisher=SB Nation}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 8 1/4
| weight = 188
| dash = 4.49
| ten split = 1.58
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.19
| cone drill = 7.00
| vertical = 35.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 5
| bench = 12
| arm span = 31
| hand span = 8 3/4
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1019414&DraftYear=2019 |title=Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia, WR, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=March 7, 2022}}
}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
File:Olamide Zaccheaus Falcons-Saints NOV2021.png 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.{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Tim |date=April 27, 2019 |title=Report: Falcons sign Virginia WR Olamide Zaccheaus |url=https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/27/falcons-sign-olamide-zaccheaus-virginia/ |access-date=October 13, 2019 |website=Falcons Wire}} Zaccheaus made his NFL debut on October 13, 2019, against the Arizona Cardinals, making a tackle on special teams.{{Cite web |last=Choate |first=Dave |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Falcons snap counts for yet another loss to the Cardinals |url=https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2019/10/15/20913556/falcons-snap-counts-for-yet-another-loss-to-the-cardinals-kendall-sheffield-sharrod-neasman |access-date=October 20, 2019 |website=TheFalcoholic.com |publisher=SB Nation}} In the Falcons' 40–20 victory against the Carolina Panthers on December 8, 2019, Zaccheaus recorded his first reception in the NFL,{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2019 |title=Ryan leads Falcons to another big win over Panthers, 40-20 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127869 |access-date=December 8, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |quote=[...] the longest TD of Ryan's 12-year career, and the first career reception for Zaccheaus, an undrafted rookie. |agency=Associated Press}} 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.{{cite web | last=Conway | first=Kelsey | title=Undersized and undrafted, Olamide Zaccheaus sets record, proves doubters wrong | website=Atlanta Falcons | date=2019-12-08 | url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/undersized-and-undrafted-olamide-zaccheaus-sets-record-proves-doubters-wrong | access-date=2024-10-12}} In Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, Zaccheaus returned a fumble for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the 29–22 win.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2019 |title=Matt Ryan, Falcons rally in final seconds, stun 49ers 29-22 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128108 |access-date=December 15, 2019 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Doughty |first=Doug |date=December 30, 2019 |title=UVa football notebook: Dubois a big contributor for Cavs in 2019 |url=https://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/uva/uva-football-notebook-dubois-a-big-contributor-for-cavs-in/article_4b953a8a-b7f6-5cac-931d-39c4de1ecdf2.html |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=The Roanoke Times}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons - November 8th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011080atl.htm |access-date=November 13, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was placed on injured reserve on December 1, 2020.{{Cite web |last=McFadden, Will |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Falcons place Olamide Zaccheaus on IR, promote Laquon Treadwell to active roster |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-place-olamide-zaccheaus-on-ir-promote-laquon-treadwell-to-active-roster |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} Zaccheaus finished the season with 20 receptions for 274 yards and one touchdown in 11 games played.{{Cite web |last=Ledbetter |first=D. Orlando |date=September 25, 2021 |title=Falcon on the hot seat Sunday: Olamide Zaccheaus at wide receiver |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/on-the-hot-seat-olamide-zaccheaus-at-wide-receiver/BSI4KMHGCBG5FOTRCWMJBNRCI4/ |access-date=January 13, 2022 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints - November 7th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202111070nor.htm |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Zaccheaus finished the season with 31 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=June 23, 2022 |title=WR Olamide Zaccheaus feels like Falcons are playoff team: 'We can shock a lot of people' |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/wr-olamide-zaccheaus-feels-like-the-falcons-are-a-playoff-team-we-can-shock |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Urben |first=Matt |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Falcons WR Olamide Zaccheaus signs free-agent tender |url=https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/19/atlanta-falcons-olamide-zaccheaus-nfl-news-free-agency |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=Falcons Wire |language=en-US}} Zaccheaus played in all 17 games, of which he started 13. He finished with 40 receptions for 533 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Olamide Zaccheaus 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Z/ZaccOl01/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Philadelphia Eagles=
On April 20, 2023, Zaccheaus signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.{{cite web | last=Spadaro | first=Dave | title=Spadaro: An under-the-radar gem? Olamide Zaccheaus is an ideal fit for the Eagles’ offense | website=Philadelphia Eagles | date=2023-04-20 | url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/spadaro-eagles-olamide-zaccheaus | access-date=2024-10-08}} He finished the season with 10 receptions for 164 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Olamide Zaccheaus 2023 Stats per Game - NFL |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/3917914/olamide-zaccheaus |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
=Washington Commanders=
On April 1, 2024, Zaccheaus signed with the Washington Commanders.{{Cite web |date=April 1, 2024 |title=Commanders sign WR Oladmide Zaccheaus |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-sign-wr-oladmide-zaccheaus |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Commanders.com |language=en-US}} This reunited him with head coach Dan Quinn, who was Zaccheaus' head coach for his first two seasons with the Falcons. In Week 16 of the 2024 season against his former team, the Eagles, Zaccheaus recorded five catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the 36-33 win.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders - December 22nd, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202412220was.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following week's win against the Falcons, Zaccheaus led the Commanders in both receptions and receiving yards with eight catches for 85 yards along with scoring a touchdown.{{cite web|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-falcons-stats-snaps-2024-week17|work=Commanders.com|title=Commanders-Falcons Stats & Snaps|date=December 30, 2024|accessdate=December 31, 2024|author=Washington Commanders Public Relations}}
=Chicago Bears=
On March 13, 2025, Zaccheaus signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears.{{Cite web|title=Bears add free agent WR Olamide Zaccheaus|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bears-add-free-agent-wr-olamide-zaccheaus|access-date=March 18, 2025|website=nbcsports.com|language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/olamide-zaccheaus/ Chicago Bears profile]
- [https://virginiasports.com/player/olamide-zaccheaus/ Virginia Cavaliers profile]
{{footballstats|yahoo=32123|espn=3917914}}
{{Chicago Bears roster navbox}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zaccheaus, Olamide}}
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:American football return specialists
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Players of American football from Camden County, New Jersey
Category:Players of American football from Plainfield, New Jersey
Category:St. Joseph's Preparatory School alumni