| No. 40 – Detroit Lions | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Tight end |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 2, 2002 Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight: | 252 lb (114 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Northside High School Roanoke Va |
| College: | James Madison (2021-2023) Indiana (2024) |
| NFL draft: | 2025: undrafted |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Zach Horton (born December 2, 2002) is an American professional football tight end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the James Madison Dukes and Indiana Hoosiers before signing with the Lions as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.
Early life and high school
[edit]Horton attended Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Virginia. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the James Madison Dukes over offers from schools such as Navy, Army, Air Force, Eastern Michigan, and Coastal Carolina.[1]
College career
[edit]James Madison
[edit]As a freshman in 2021, Horton appeared in eight games where he did not record any receptions.[2] In 2022, he hauled in 13 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns as backup tight end.[3] In week 5 of the 2023 season, Horton hauled in three receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-23 win over South Alabama.[4] He had a breakout 2023 season as James Madison's starting tight end, where he recorded 27 receptions for 275 yards and six touchdowns, earning first-team all-Sun Belt Conference honors.[5] After the season, Horton entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[6]
Indiana
[edit]Horton transferred to play for the Indiana Hoosiers.[6] He entered the 2024 season as the Hoosiers' starting tight end.[7]
Professional career
[edit]| 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+3⁄8 in (1.91 m) |
251 lb (114 kg) |
30+5⁄8 in (0.78 m) |
9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) |
4.96 s | 1.64 s | 2.87 s | 4.69 s | 7.69 s | 29.5 in (0.75 m) |
8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) |
19 reps | |
| All values from Pro Day[8] | ||||||||||||
Horton signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Anderson, Robert. "H.S. football: Northside DE/TE Zach Horton commits to play at James Madison". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Fleischman, Noah (July 20, 2023). "Fresh Faces Join Standout Horton In Tight Ends Room". Daily News-Record.
- ^ Fleischman, Noah (March 30, 2023). "Horton Looks To Build Off Last Season, This Time In Deep TE Room". Daily News-Record. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Hephner, Jackson (November 24, 2023). "Zach Horton makes an impact on JMU's offense, on and off the field". The Breeze. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Niziolek, Michael. "Why Indiana football's new starting tight end Zach Horton is a trusted addition". The Herald-Times. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Harper, Catie. "JMU Loses Star Tight End, But Has Personnel To Bounce Back". Daily News-Record. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Browning, Zach (October 2, 2024). "Tight end Zach Horton essential to Indiana's B1G-leading rushing attack". TheHoosier.com. Rivals.com. Retrieved November 24, 2024.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Zach Horton College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ "Lions sign four 2025 NFL Draft selections". DetroitLions.com. May 9, 2025.