Zachary Kapono Wilson Bio
Zachary Kapono Wilson is an American professional football quarterback who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 3, 1999, in Draper, Utah, Wilson emerged as one of the most promising quarterback prospects from his college career at Brigham Young University (BYU). The New York Jets selected him with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted quarterback in BYU history. After a challenging three-season tenure with the Jets that saw inconsistent play and multiple benchings, Wilson embarked on a journeyman path through the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins before joining the Saints in 2026. Known for his strong arm and athletic ability, Wilson continues to pursue an opportunity to establish himself as a starting quarterback in the league.
Early Life and Background
Wilson grew up in Draper, Utah, as the son of Michael Wilson and Lisa Wilson (née Neeleman). He has three brothers, including college quarterback Isaac Wilson, and two sisters. His father is of Hawaiian descent, which explains his middle name Kapono, meaning “righteous” in the Hawaiian language. Several notable figures are part of his extended family, including airline entrepreneur David Neeleman and HealthEquity co-founder Stephen Neeleman. Wilson attended Corner Canyon High School in Draper, where he developed into a dual-threat quarterback during his high school career.
As a senior at Corner Canyon High School, Wilson passed for 2,986 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 752 yards and eight touchdowns. His performance attracted attention from multiple college programs. Initially, he committed to play quarterback at Boise State University but later decommitted and chose to attend Brigham Young University (BYU), where he could compete at the FBS level while pursuing his academic goals.
Path to Professional Football
Wilson arrived at BYU in 2018 as a highly-touted freshman prospect. He played in nine games that season, making seven starts, and became the youngest quarterback to start a game for the university when he debuted against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Wilson completed 120 of 182 passes for 1,578 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions during his freshman campaign. He saved his best performance for the 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, where he completed all 18 of his pass attempts for 317 yards and four touchdowns, earning MVP honors in the 49-18 victory over Western Michigan.
His sophomore season in 2019 saw Wilson start nine games, completing 199 of 319 passes for 2,382 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Despite the Cougars losing the Hawaii Bowl to their opponents, Wilson was named BYU’s MVP for his performance. The 2020 season represented Wilson’s breakthrough campaign. He started 12 games and achieved remarkable efficiency, completing 247 of 336 passes for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just three interceptions while also rushing for 255 yards and 10 touchdowns. He broke Steve Young’s school completion percentage record at 73.5 percent and led BYU to a 10-1 regular season mark. Wilson capped his collegiate career by winning the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl MVP after a 49-23 win over UCF, and he was named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, sharing the honor with USC safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Zachary Kapono Wilson Career
New York Jets (2021–2023)
Wilson entered the 2021 NFL Draft as one of the top quarterback prospects and was selected second overall by the New York Jets. He signed a four-year, $35.15 million fully guaranteed contract on July 29, 2021, that included a $22.9 million signing bonus. In his NFL debut against the Carolina Panthers, Wilson threw for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception while also scoring a rushing two-point conversion in the 19-14 defeat. However, his second game featured a rough performance, as he threw four interceptions against the New England Patriots in a 25-6 loss.
Wilson earned his first career victory in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans, completing 21 of 34 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-24 overtime win. During a Week 7 matchup against the Patriots, he suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, causing him to miss four games. Upon returning, Wilson showed improvement, winning his final two starts including his first road victory over the Houston Texans, where he also scored his first rushing touchdown. He finished his rookie season with 2,334 passing yards, nine touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 3-10 record as a starter.
The 2022 season began with Wilson missing the first three games due to a preseason knee injury. He returned in Week 4 and led the Jets to a 24-20 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, starting a four-game winning streak for the team. However, Wilson struggled with consistency throughout the season. After a poor performance against the New England Patriots in which he completed only 9 of 22 passes, he was demoted to third-string behind Mike White and Joe Flacco. He regained the starting job briefly but was benched again during a Week 16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and did not start again that season.
Following the Jets’ acquisition of four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2023, Wilson began the season as Rodgers’ backup. When Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury on his first drive in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, Wilson stepped in and completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 22-16 victory. He was promoted to starting quarterback and initially struggled before delivering a strong performance against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, throwing for 245 yards and two touchdowns to overcome a 17-0 deficit. However, a fourth-quarter fumble allowed Kansas City to win 23-20. Wilson led the Jets to three consecutive wins afterward, including an upset over the Philadelphia Eagles, but after further struggles, he was benched again in Week 11 against the Bills. He reclaimed the starting job in Week 14 and delivered his best professional performance, completing 27 of 36 passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 117.9 passer rating, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. His season ended prematurely when he suffered a concussion against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.
Denver Broncos (2024)
On April 23, 2024, the Denver Broncos acquired Wilson from the Jets in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round draft pick. The Broncos announced that Wilson would begin the season as their third-string quarterback behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham. Wilson did not appear in any games during the 2024 season. The Broncos declined the fifth-year option on his contract, making him a free agent after the season.
Miami Dolphins (2025)
On March 17, 2025, Wilson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. He appeared in four games for Miami during the 2025 season, completing six of his 11 pass attempts for 32 yards in a limited backup role. The opportunity to join the Dolphins represented Wilson’s attempt to revitalize his career with a new organization.
New Orleans Saints (2026–Present)
On March 26, 2026, Wilson signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. This move represented another opportunity for Wilson to compete for playing time and prove his abilities as an NFL quarterback in a new environment.
Playing Style and Strengths
Wilson possesses a strong arm that allows him to make all the throws required at the NFL level, including deep passes and difficult sideline routes. He demonstrates good mobility for a quarterback, capable of extending plays with his legs and picking up first downs with his rushing ability. His athletic background gives him the tools to be a dual-threat quarterback, though his development has focused on improving his pocket presence and decision-making to reduce turnovers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wilson achieved several notable milestones during his collegiate and professional career. In college, he broke BYU’s single-season completion percentage record previously held by NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young. In the NFL, his 117.9 passer rating against the Houston Texans in Week 14 of the 2023 season represented his career-high performance and earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week recognition. His performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he nearly led a comeback from a 17-0 deficit on Sunday Night Football, demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
Zachary Kapono Wilson Career Statistics
Wilson has compiled career statistics across four seasons in the NFL through the 2025 season. His professional career has been marked by inconsistent play and frequent changes in opportunity, making his overall numbers reflect the challenges he has faced in establishing himself as a reliable starting quarterback in the league.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Wilson has appeared in 37 games with 33 starts, completing 572 of 1,004 pass attempts for 6,325 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. His career completion percentage stands at 57.0 percent with a passer rating of 73.1. His best season came in 2023, when he threw for 2,495 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions while also contributing 217 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. His most efficient performance occurred in Week 14 of the 2023 season against Houston, where he posted a 117.9 passer rating while throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns.
College Career Statistics
During his three seasons at BYU from 2018 to 2020, Wilson started 28 games and completed 566 of 837 passes for 7,652 yards with 56 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He also rushing for 1,237 yards and 23 touchdowns on 221 attempts. His most productive season came in 2020, when he threw for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for 255 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning him recognition as the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.
| Competition | Games | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 37 | 6,325 | 23 | 25 |
| College (BYU) | 28 | 7,652 | 56 | 15 |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wilson comes from a notable family with diverse accomplishments. His father Michael Wilson and mother Lisa Wilson (née Neeleman) raised him and his siblings in Draper, Utah. His extended family includes successful entrepreneurs, with his uncle David Neeleman being the founder of several airline companies and his other relative Stephen Neeleman co-founding HealthEquity. His brother Isaac Wilson is also a college quarterback, following in Zach’s footsteps. Their father is of Hawaiian heritage, giving Zach connections to Polynesian culture that influenced his upbringing and identity.
Personal Life
Wilson was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a child, a condition that runs in his family. He was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but has noted that he did not grow up actively participating in church services. Wilson describes himself as a spiritual person who maintains a personal relationship with God. He has been friends with former BYU teammate Dax Milne since childhood, with their friendship continuing into their professional careers. In June 2024, Wilson announced his engagement to Nicolette Dellanno. The couple married on June 28, 2025, in New York City, marking a significant personal milestone as he continued his NFL journey.
2025 Season Performance
Wilson’s 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins represented a fresh start following his release from the Broncos organization. He signed a one-year, $6 million contract in March 2025, joining a Dolphins team that featured starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under center. Wilson’s role was primarily as a backup, providing depth and experience at the quarterback position. He appeared in four games during the season, completing six of his 11 pass attempts for 32 yards in limited action.
The 2025 season presented challenges for Wilson in terms of finding playing time and demonstrating his abilities. The Dolphins’ offensive scheme and Tagovailoa’s performance limited Wilson’s opportunities to take meaningful snaps during games. Despite the limited role, Wilson maintained his preparation and worked to stay ready should an opportunity arise due to injury or other circumstances.
Following the season, Wilson became a free agent and ultimately signed with the New Orleans Saints in March 2026. This move to New Orleans provided him with another opportunity to compete for playing time in a new offensive system. The Saints, like his previous teams, offered Wilson a chance to prove that he could develop into a reliable NFL quarterback despite the struggles and inconsistency he had experienced throughout his first five seasons in the league.