Zach Davidson Bio
Zach Davidson (born July 15, 1998) is an American professional football tight end for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and listed around 260 pounds, he is known for his rare combination of size, pass-catching ability, and punting background. Davidson has also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills, building his career as a developmental tight end since entering the league in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Zach Davidson was born on July 15, 1998, in Webb City, Missouri, United States. He grew up in Webb City and attended Webb City High School, where he developed his early interest in football. As a young player, Davidson originally served as a backup tight end on the school’s junior varsity team before being asked to take over punting duties on the varsity squad after the regular punter was suspended.
The switch to punter helped shape his unusual athletic profile. Davidson became a reliable All-State selection as both a junior and a senior at punter, drawing attention for his leg strength and hang time. His senior years at Webb City set the stage for a college career that would allow him to continue developing as both a specialist and a tight end.
Path to Professional Football
After high school, Zach Davidson enrolled at the University of Central Missouri to play for the Mules. He began his college career solely as a punter and used his true freshman year as a redshirt season to adjust to the college game. As a redshirt freshman, he set a school record and finished second in the nation with a 44.3-yard average on 47 punts, earning second-team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) recognition.
During his redshirt sophomore season, Davidson was named an honorable mention All-MIAA selection at punter while also serving as the Mules’ second tight end. He finished that year with 11 receptions for 239 receiving yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his two-way potential. The following year, he recorded 40 receptions for 894 yards and 15 touchdowns, was named first-team All-MIAA at both punter and tight end, and was also recognized as a first-team Division II All-American. He then chose to forgo his redshirt senior season, which had been pushed to the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Zach Davidson Career
Minnesota Vikings (2021-2022)
Zach Davidson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round, 168th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021, and spent his first training camp competing for a roster spot at tight end. On August 31, 2021, he was waived as part of the Vikings’ final roster cuts and was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day.
On January 8, 2022, Davidson was promoted to the Vikings’ active roster late in the season, giving him a brief taste of NFL game-day work. He was waived again as part of final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, ending his time in Minnesota. Although he did not log regular-season statistics with the Vikings, the organization helped launch his professional career and gave him his first exposure to an NFL tight end room.
Buffalo Bills Era (2022-2024)
On September 1, 2022, Zach Davidson was signed to the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad, beginning a three-year stint in Buffalo. He signed a reserve and future contract on January 23, 2023, to remain with the organization. His 2023 season was interrupted on June 15, when he was placed on injured reserve because of a knee injury, limiting his on-field development that year.
On August 27, 2024, Davidson was released by the Bills as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. In Week 11, he was elevated to the active roster for a game against the Kansas City Chiefs to fill in for tight end Dalton Kincaid, who was sidelined by a knee injury. During that appearance, Davidson recorded his first regular-season reception in the NFL, a career milestone. He was elevated again in Weeks 13 and 14 against the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, and he logged offensive and special teams snaps at SoFi Stadium. On January 29, 2025, Davidson signed another reserve and futures contract with the Bills, and during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers he was punched by Shilo Sanders after a block, an incident that led to Sanders’ ejection. Davidson was released by the Bills as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025.
New York Giants Era (2025-Present)
On November 11, 2025, Zach Davidson was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move reunited him with an opportunity to compete at the tight end position for a team looking to add depth at the position late in the year. He continues to work toward a larger role within the Giants’ tight end group.
Driving Style and Strengths
Davidson’s path through the NFL has been shaped by his unusual combination of size, hands, and special teams background. At 6 feet 7 inches tall, he presents a large catch radius as a tight end, and his college experience as a punter has translated into sound body control and discipline on special teams units. Coaches have valued his work ethic and willingness to contribute on multiple phases of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Zach Davidson’s career highlights, his first-team Division II All-American and first-team All-MIAA honors in 2019 stand out as his top college accolades. In the NFL, his first regular-season reception with the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 of the 2024 season was a key milestone, along with his continued movement between practice squads and active rosters across three organizations.
Zach Davidson Career Wins
Zach Davidson’s on-field resume in the NFL is still developing, and his statistical totals at the professional level are limited. His most celebrated achievements remain his college honors, including first-team Division II All-American and first-team All-MIAA recognition in 2019, and second-team All-MIAA recognition in 2017. His first NFL reception in 2024 marked an important step in his professional journey.
Central Missouri Mules Highlights
During his time with the Central Missouri Mules, Zach Davidson emerged as one of the most versatile players in the MIAA. As a redshirt freshman, he set a school punting record and finished second nationally in yards per punt. His redshirt junior year brought 40 receptions for 894 yards and 15 touchdowns, first-team All-MIAA honors at punter and tight end, and first-team Division II All-American recognition.
Other Achievements and Performances
Davidson earned All-State honors as both a junior and a senior at Webb City High School, helping him earn a college opportunity at Central Missouri. He also showed special teams value in the NFL by logging snaps on both offense and special teams units with the Buffalo Bills.
Zach Davidson Family
Family Background and Early Influences
Zach Davidson was raised in Webb City, Missouri, the same community where he attended high school. His roots in southwest Missouri helped shape his early football identity, particularly during his time as a punter for the Webb City Cardinals before he transitioned back to a featured role at tight end.
Personal Life
Zach Davidson keeps much of his personal life out of the public eye. He was born and raised in Webb City, Missouri, and is an American citizen. Detailed information about his parents, marital status, spouse, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Zach Davidson. He began the year with the Buffalo Bills on a reserve and futures contract and was part of the team’s offseason program. During the preseason, he appeared in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was involved in a notable on-field incident when he was punched by Shilo Sanders after a block. He was released as part of the Bills’ final roster cuts on August 26, 2025.
Shortly after his release, Davidson found a new opportunity when the New York Giants signed him to their practice squad on November 11, 2025. The move gave him a fresh chance to compete at the tight end position late in the year. He has been working to climb the depth chart and earn an active roster spot as the Giants continue their 2025 campaign.