Zack Bailey

Zackary Dalton Bailey Bio

Zackary Dalton Bailey is an American professional football offensive guard who has played in the National Football League since 2019. He played college football for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Bailey has辗转 multiple NFL franchises throughout his professional career, including stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Football Team/Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and New York Jets. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 315 pounds, Bailey brings size and versatility to the offensive line position. His journey from a highly decorated high school prospect to a professional NFL player demonstrates his persistence and dedication to the sport.

Early Life and Background

Zackary Dalton Bailey was born on November 8, 1995, in Summerville, South Carolina. He grew up in his hometown and attended Summerville High School, where he played football under legendary head coach John McKissick, who holds the distinction of being the all-time most winningest coach at any level of American football. During his senior season at Summerville High School, Bailey played left guard and helped lead his team to the second round of the state playoffs. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as a finalist for the South Carolina “Mr. Football” award, which honors the state’s top high school football player.

Rivals.com rated Bailey as a four-star prospect, ranking him as the second-best player in South Carolina and the fifth-best offensive guard in the nation. His impressive high school career generated numerous scholarship offers from major college programs. After graduating from Summerville High School in 2015, Bailey chose to continue his football career at the University of South Carolina, where he would develop into a formidable collegiate offensive lineman.

College Career at South Carolina

Bailey arrived at the University of South Carolina in 2015 as a true freshman and made an immediate impact. He appeared in 12 games during his first season, starting five of them. His starts came at left guard and center, demonstrating his positional flexibility along the offensive line. The following year, Bailey established himself as South Carolina’s most consistent and highest-performing offensive lineman. He started every game at left guard, earning team captain honors in several contests and sharing the Offensive Tenacity Award with Hayden Hurst.

As a junior in 2017, Bailey transitioned from interior lineman to right tackle, appearing in nine games with eight starts before suffering an injury against Kentucky that caused him to miss four games. Despite the setback, he earned SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll recognition and was named a third-team all-conference player by the league’s coaches. After considering entering the NFL draft, Bailey decided to return for his senior season to complete his degree, becoming the first member of his family to earn a college diploma.

In his final collegiate season, Bailey returned to his natural left guard position and served as team captain. He started 12 games, earning second-team All-SEC honors from both the coaches and the Associated Press. He received the Offensive Tenacity Award for the second time and was selected to participate in the East-West Shrine All-Star game. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken right fibula in the regular season finale and missed the Belk Bowl. Bailey graduated in December 2018 with a degree in criminal justice, having played 46 games with 38 starts throughout his college career.

Zackary Dalton Bailey Career

Path to the NFL

Following his collegiate career, Bailey pursued opportunities at the professional level. He received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine but could only participate in three events due to his prior injury. Despite his impressive college credentials, Bailey went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, his talent and potential were recognized immediately after the draft when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent, providing him the opportunity to continue his football journey at the highest level.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-2020)

Bailey joined the Buccaneers in 2019 and quickly proved his worth during training camp. Remarkably, he became the only undrafted rookie on the team to make the final 53-man roster, a testament to his preparation and ability. However, his rookie season was cut short when he suffered an injury that resulted in being placed on injured reserve. At final roster cuts in 2020, Bailey was released but was subsequently re-signed to the practice squad. He was eventually released from the practice squad on November 3, 2020, ending his tenure with the Buccaneers organization.

Minnesota Vikings (First Stint, 2020-2021)

While navigating the free agent market, Bailey received tryouts from several NFL teams including the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and Minnesota Vikings. He ultimately signed with the Vikings practice squad on December 8, 2020. Bailey impressed the organization enough to earn a futures contract in January 2021. During the 2021 season, he was waived at final roster cuts but was brought back to the practice squad. His time with the Vikings concluded when he was released from the practice squad on October 13, 2021.

Indianapolis Colts (2021)

Bailey did not remain unsigned for long, joining the Indianapolis Colts practice squad just two days after his release from Minnesota. He spent time developing with the Colts organization before being released on October 26, 2021. Following his release, Bailey received a tryout from the Houston Texans, keeping his NFL hopes alive as he continued seeking an opportunity with another franchise.

Washington Football Team / Commanders (2021-2022)

On November 2, 2021, Bailey signed with the Washington Football Team practice squad. He was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on December 23 but was activated shortly after. Bailey earned a reserve/future contract with the team on January 15, 2022, securing his place on the roster for the upcoming season. However, his time with Washington ended when he was released on May 16, 2022, as the team made roster adjustments during the offseason.

Los Angeles Chargers (2022-2023)

Bailey was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers on May 17, 2022, beginning a more significant chapter in his professional career. Although he was waived at final roster cuts in August, he was brought back on the practice squad. Bailey received an elevation to the active roster for Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders, marking his first career NFL game appearance. He made his professional debut in the loss, participating in four special teams snaps. Bailey signed a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2023, to remain with the Chargers organization.

During the 2023 season, Bailey was waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times before earning a promotion to the active roster on September 23. He provided valuable depth along the Chargers offensive line throughout the season. However, his year was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 9, ending his contribution for the remainder of the campaign.

Atlanta Falcons (2024)

Bailey joined the Atlanta Falcons on July 24, 2024, after clearing waivers from the Chargers. He competed for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason. However, after approximately one month with the organization, Bailey was waived by the Falcons on August 25, 2024, as the team finalized its roster for the regular season.

New York Jets (2024-2025)

Bailey continued his NFL journey by signing with the New York Jets practice squad on November 5, 2024. His performance and versatility earned him a reserve/future contract with New York on January 6, 2025. However, his tenure with the Jets concluded when he was waived on June 12, 2025, making him available to sign with another franchise.

Minnesota Vikings (Second Stint, 2025)

Bailey returned to the Minnesota Vikings on August 19, 2025, signing with the team he had previously been associated with during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. This second opportunity with the Vikings represented a chance to reunite with an organization familiar with his abilities and work ethic. However, Bailey was waived by Minnesota during roster cuts on August 24, 2025, concluding his most recent stint with the franchise.

Driving Style and Strengths

As an offensive guard, Bailey brings positional versatility that NFL teams value highly. His experience at both guard and center positions in college, along with his brief time at right tackle, demonstrates his adaptability along the offensive line. Bailey’s college career at a prestigious SEC program under competitive conditions prepared him for the physical demands of professional football. His experience under legendary high school coach John McKissick provided a strong foundation in football fundamentals and work ethic that has guided his professional development.

Notable Events and Milestones

Bailey’s most significant career milestone came in 2022 when he made his NFL regular-season debut with the Los Angeles Chargers against the Las Vegas Raiders. This achievement marked the culmination of years of dedication following his collegiate career at South Carolina. His selection to the East-West Shrine All-Star game during his senior year at South Carolina also represented a notable achievement, showcasing his status among the top collegiate players in the country.

Zackary Dalton Bailey Career Statistics

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2019 to present, Bailey has appeared in a limited number of regular-season games while primarily serving as a practice squad member and depth player. He made his professional debut during the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Chargers. His career has been characterized by perseverance through roster changes and injuries, demonstrating the resilience required to maintain an NFL career. Bailey has been a member of eight different NFL franchises, showcasing his ability to adapt to various team cultures and offensive systems.

Zackary Dalton Bailey Family

Personal Life

Zackary Dalton Bailey graduated from the University of South Carolina in December 2018 with a degree in criminal justice. He made history within his family by becoming the first member to earn a college degree, a milestone that motivated his decision to return for his senior season rather than entering the NFL Draft early. Bailey maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram and X accounts. His professional football career has taken him across the country as he has navigated the roster churn common in the NFL, particularly for undrafted players fighting to establish themselves in the league.

2025 Season Outlook

The 2025 NFL season presents another opportunity for Bailey to continue his professional football career. Following his brief return to the Minnesota Vikings in August 2025, Bailey remains available for signing with any NFL franchise seeking experienced offensive line depth. His positional versatility and familiarity with multiple NFL systems could appeal to teams dealing with injuries or looking to strengthen their offensive line rotation. As an experienced veteran who has been with eight different organizations, Bailey brings valuable knowledge of various coaching styles and offensive schemes.

Bailey’s career trajectory reflects the challenging reality facing many undrafted NFL players who must continuously prove themselves to maintain their professional careers. His ability to earn roster spots and practice squad designations with multiple franchises demonstrates his value as a reliable depth option. Teams seeking offensive line depth for their practice squads or active rosters may view Bailey as an economical option with proven adaptability to different team environments.