Zaccheaus L. Pickens (born March 6, 2000) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina.

Zacch Pickens
No. 96 – Chicago Bears
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (2000-03-06) March 6, 2000 (age 24)
Anderson, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:T. L. Hanna (Anderson)
College:South Carolina (2019–2022)
NFL draft:2023 / round: 3 / pick: 64
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2024
Total tackles:24
Sacks:0.5
Forced fumbles:1
Pass deflections:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Pickens was born on March 6, 2000, in Anderson, South Carolina. He attended T. L. Hanna High School, where he was named South Carolina's Gatorade Football Player of the Year as a senior in 2018 after recording 87 tackles, six sacks, and a interception which he returned for a touchdown.[1][2] A five-star recruit, Pickens was selected to play in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game.[3] He committed to the University of South Carolina to play college football.[4][5]

College career

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As a true freshman at South Carolina in 2019, Pickens played in all 12 games and had 16 tackles. As a sophomore in 2020, he started seven of 10 games, recording 35 tackles and one sack. As a junior in 2021, he started all 13 games, finishing with 38 tackles and four sacks.[6] Pickens returned to South Carolina for his senior season in 2022.[7][8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+78 in
(1.93 m)
291 lb
(132 kg)
34+38 in
(0.87 m)
10+38 in
(0.26 m)
4.89 s 1.74 s 2.83 s 4.62 s 7.45 s 30.5 in
(0.77 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
22 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

Pickens was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round (64th overall) in the 2023 NFL draft.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "T.L. Hanna's Zacch Pickens is a mama's boy -- and proud of it". Independent Mail. December 19, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Breiner, Ben (December 6, 2018). "Gamecocks commit named Gatorade South Carolina Football Player of the Year". The State. Retrieved April 25, 2023. (subscription required)
  3. ^ Hall, Brendan C. (October 25, 2018). "Chosen 25 DL Zacch Pickens receives UA All-American jersey, might see time in Gamecocks' backfield?". USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Morris, Lake (May 25, 2018). "TL Hanna's Zacch Pickens commits to South Carolina Gamecocks". Independent Mail. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Kendall, Josh (August 6, 2019). "Zacch Pickens bringing the talent, hype of South Carolina's last five-star recruit: Jadeveon Clowney". The Athletic. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  6. ^ Portnoy, Ben (January 3, 2022). "Zacch Pickens delivers more good news for South Carolina defense in 2022". The State. Retrieved April 25, 2023. (subscription required)
  7. ^ Sauls, Michael (July 20, 2022). "Zacch Pickens sets sights on degree and more after heartfelt decision to return to USC". The State. Retrieved April 25, 2023. (subscription required)
  8. ^ Boynton, Eric (August 10, 2022). "After delaying NFL plans, Zacch Pickens has big goals for final South Carolina season". The Greenville News. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "Zacch Pickens Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  10. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Zacch Pickens College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Mayer, Larry (April 28, 2023). "Bears select DT Zacch Pickens in third round". ChicagoBears.com.
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