Zach Wood

Zach Wood Bio

Zach Wood is an American professional football long snapper for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on January 10, 1993, in Dallas, Texas, and played college football for the SMU Mustangs from 2011 to 2015. Wood entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 and has since built a durable and reliable career as one of the league’s consistent long snappers. He joined the New Orleans Saints in September 2017 and has remained with the team through multiple contract extensions, appearing in 149 career NFL games through the 2025 season.

Early Life and Background

Wood grew up in Rowlett, Texas, where he attended Rowlett High School. During his high school years, he played defensive tackle and developed into a productive defensive lineman. As a junior, he recorded 99 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. His senior season saw him post 115 tackles and 10 sacks, earning him honorable-mention Class 4A All-State recognition as a defensive lineman.

His performance in high school attracted attention from college programs seeking defensive line talent. Wood accepted a football scholarship from Southern Methodist University, commonly known as SMU, where he would transition into a more prominent role along the defensive line while also beginning to develop his long snapping skills.

College Career at SMU

Wood arrived at SMU in 2011 and was redshirted during his freshman season. He saw his first significant playing time in 2012, appearing in nine games and recording five solo tackles, four tackle assists, and half a sack. His development continued through his sophomore year, when he started all 12 games as a 3-4 defensive end in 2013, accumulating 25 solo tackles, 24 tackle assists, one sack, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick.

As a junior in 2014, Wood started all 12 games and registered 18 solo tackles, 22 tackle assists, 4 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. His senior season in 2015 saw him play 10 games with 9 starts, serving as a team captain while recording 29 solo tackles, 10 tackle assists, 3.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, and 3 blocked kicks. Throughout his college career at SMU, Wood made 33 starts in 43 appearances, finishing with 137 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 blocked kicks.

Beyond his defensive end responsibilities, Wood also spent time practicing as a long snapper during his college years, a skill that would later become the foundation of his professional career.

Zach Wood Career

Dallas Cowboys (2016–2017)

Wood entered the 2016 NFL draft cycle rated as the 85th-best defensive end prospect by NFLDraftScout.com. Despite the projection, he went undrafted and signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following the draft. He participated in rookie minicamp with the team on May 24, 2016, and earned a spot on the roster. During his first training camp, Wood also played on the defensive line while learning long snapping, even taking snaps with the first-team defense during practices.

He was waived during final roster cuts on September 1, 2016. However, Wood remained with the organization and signed a reserve/future contract on January 16, 2017. In his second training camp, he focused specifically on long snapping to potentially back up veteran L. P. Ladouceur. The Cowboys released him on September 2, 2017, during final roster reductions.

New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2017–Present)

Wood’s opportunity came unexpectedly with the New Orleans Saints in September 2017. The Saints had acquired Jon Dorenbos from the Philadelphia Eagles during training camp to handle long snapping duties. However, Dorenbos was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm requiring immediate heart surgery and was placed on the non-football illness list. With Dorenbos unable to continue his career, the Saints held a tryout on September 9 that included four other candidates before signing Wood.

Wood successfully earned the long snapping job and handled all punts and placekicks for the Saints during the 2017 season. He demonstrated the consistency that would define his tenure with the franchise. The Saints re-signed him to one-year contracts on February 20, 2018, and again on February 11, 2019, establishing him as the team’s long-term solution at the position.

On March 23, 2020, Wood signed a four-year contract with the Saints, signaling the team’s commitment to him as their starter. He appeared in all 16 games during the 2020 season before being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on August 6, 2020. He was activated three days later and continued his reliability throughout the season. On July 28, 2023, Wood signed a four-year contract extension through the 2027 season.

Current Role and Reliability

As the Saints’ long snapper, Wood has become a model of consistency and durability. His ability to deliver accurate snaps on punts, field goals, and extra points has provided stability for the franchise’s special teams units. The 2023 season saw him appear in all 17 games, demonstrating his continued reliability entering his seventh season with the team.

Role as Long Snapper

Long snapping is a specialized skill requiring precision and consistency on every snap. Wood’s background as a defensive lineman provided him with the size, strength, and football knowledge necessary for the position. His ability to snap the ball quickly and accurately to the punter or holder allows the coverage units to react and get downfield efficiently. His repeatability and low-maintenance performance have made him a valued member of the Saints’ special teams.

Milestones and Durability

Wood reached 149 career NFL games played through the 2025 season, a testament to his durability and the trust teams have placed in him. His journey from undrafted free agent to long-term starter with the Saints represents the kind of perseverance that characterizes successful specialists in the NFL.

Zach Wood Career Statistics

Wood’s career has been defined by consistency and availability rather than statistical milestones typically associated with offensive or defensive players. As a long snapper, his performance is measured by the precision of his snaps and his ability to remain healthy and available week after week.

College Statistics

At SMU from 2011 to 2015, Wood appeared in 43 games with 33 starts, recording 137 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 blocked kicks over five seasons.

NFL Career

Wood has appeared in 149 NFL games through the 2025 season, handling long snapping duties for both the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. He has been a consistent presence on special teams throughout his career.

2025 Season Performance

Entering the 2025 season on his fourth contract extension with the New Orleans Saints, Wood continued his tenure as one of the league’s reliable long snappers. His consistent performance has made him a fixture in the Saints’ special teams units, with the coaching staff relying on his experience and precision game in and game out.

Throughout the season, Wood’s snapping accuracy provided a strong foundation for the Saints’ punting and placekicking operations. His ability to handle the physical demands of the position while maintaining performance consistency has kept him in the lineup year after year. The partnership between Wood and the Saints’ punter and placekicker continued to develop as the season progressed.

Wood’s durability remained a key asset for the Saints as they navigated the long NFL season. His experience spanning nearly a decade in the league provided leadership and stability to a special teams unit that valued reliability. The Saints’ commitment to Wood through his 2027 contract extension reflects the organization’s confidence in his continued performance at a high level.