When Bailey Zappe transferred to Western Kentucky for his final year of eligibility in 2021, he continued the record-setting pace he began at FCS program Houston Christian (formerly known as Houston Baptist). At both stops, Zappe filled the stat sheet as one of the nation's most prolific passers, proving that regardless of FBS or FCS level, Zappe could put up huge numbers against quality competition.
Here's everything you need to know about Bailey Zappe’s college career.
The vitals on Bailey Zappe
School: Houston Baptist & Western Kentucky
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-0
Weight: 215 pounds
Years active: 2017-2021
Here are Bailey Zappe’s career stats in college. Scroll to the right to view the complete stats.
| School | Year | games | comp | att | comp. % | pass Yds | pass TD | INT | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Baptist | 2017 | 10 | 150 | 266 | 56.4 | 1,548 | 5 | 10 | 81 | 50 | 2 |
| Houston Baptist | 2018 | 11 | 252 | 436 | 57.8 | 2,812 | 23 | 13 | 118 | 179 | 1 |
| Houston Baptist | 2019 | 12 | 357 | 560 | 63.8 | 3,811 | 35 | 15 | 53 | 0 | 0 |
| Houston Baptist | 2020-21 | 4 | 141 | 215 | 65.6 | 1,833 | 15 | 1 | 19 | 14 | 0 |
| Western Kentucky | 2021 | 14 | 475 | 686 | 69.2 | 5,967 | 62 | 11 | 51 | 17 | 1 |
| Career | 51 | 1,375 | 2,163 | 63.6 | 15,971 | 140 | 50 | 322 | 260 | 4 |
Bailey Zappe throws his 61st TD pass of the season — officially breaking Joe Burrow’s record 🔥
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews)
Where did Bailey Zappe go to college?
Bailey Zappe, a native of Victoria, Texas, attended Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky. Per , Zappe signed with Houston Baptist as it was his only college scholarship offer.
👀 COLLEGE CAREERS OF NFL STARS 🏈
2023 NFL Draft: Bryce Young | C.J. Stroud | Anthony Richardson | Zay Flowers | Bijan Robinson | Will Anderson Jr.
2022 NFL Draft: Christian Watson | Brock Purdy | Bailey Zappe | Skylar Thompson | Isiah Pacheco
2021 NFL Draft: Trevor Lawrence | Trey Lance | Ja'Marr Chase | Justin Fields | Mac Jones | DeVonta Smith
2020 NFL Draft: Joe Burrow | Tua Tagovailoa | Jordan Love | Tee Higgins | Jalen Hurts
2019 NFL Draft: Kyler Murray | Deebo Samuel | Gardner Minshew II | Miles Sanders | A.J. Brown
2018 NFL Draft: Lamar Jackson | Baker Mayfield | Josh Allen | Darius Leonard | Fred Warner
2017 NFL Draft: Patrick Mahomes | Deshaun Watson | | Cooper Kupp
2016 NFL Draft: Jared Goff | Carson Wentz | Jalen Ramsey | Chris Jones
2015 NFL Draft: Stefon Diggs
2014 NFL Draft: Aaron Donald | Odell Beckham Jr. | Khalil Mack | Jerick McKinnon | Jimmy Garoppolo
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More: Matthew Stafford | Travis Kelce
Records set by Bailey Zappe
Here are some of the notable records and statistical rankings set by Zappe in college:
FBS records
- 1st in FBS single-season passing yards: 5,987 passing yards
- 1st in FBS single-season touchdown passes: 62 touchdowns
What were some of Bailey Zappe’s best games in college?
Here are some of Zappe's most notable performances in college:
Western Kentucky 59, UT Martin 21 | Sept. 2, 2021
- 28-35 passing, 424 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, one interception
Army 38, Western Kentucky 35 | Sept. 11, 2021
- 28-40 passing, 435 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, one interception, one rushing touchdown
Michigan State 48, Western Kentucky 31 | Oct. 2, 2021
- 46-64 passing, 488 passing yards, three passing touchdowns
UTSA 52, Western Kentucky 46 | Oct. 9, 2021
- 38-60 passing, 523 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, one interception
Western Kentucky 42, Rice 21 | Nov. 13, 2021
- 34-42 passing, 482 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, one interception
Western Kentucky 52, Florida Atlantic 17 | Nov. 20, 2021
- 39-49 passing, 470 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, two interception
UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41 | Dec. 3, 2021
- 36-59 passing, 577 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, two interception
Western Kentucky 59, Appalachian State 38 | Dec. 18, 2021 (Boca Raton Bowl)
- 33-47 passing, 424 passing yards, six passing touchdowns
What awards did Bailey Zappe win in college?
Here are the awards and honors Zappe won in college:
- Conference USA Most Valuable Player (2021)
- All-CUSA First Team (2021)
- Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award (2021)
- Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist (2021)
- Manning Award Finalist (2021)
- The Athletic All-Portal Team (2021)
- 247Sports All-Transfer Team (2021)
- PFF College C-USA Offensive Player of the Year (2021)
- PFF College All-CUSA First Team (2021)
- The Draft Network C-USA Offensive Player of the Year (2021)
- Pro Football Network All-American – Second Team (2021)
- Pro Football Network Offensive Player of the Year (2021)
- Pro Football Network Quarterback of the Year (2021)
- All-Southland Conference honorable mention (2019)
What did people say about Bailey Zappe?
Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton on Zappe as a passer: "Bailey has great anticipation. He sees it before it happens. And he has great accuracy, specifically deep ball accuracy. And those two things, you can’t teach. He’s got a major ‘it factor’ about him.”
Helton after Zappe set the FBS passing records: “In my opinion Bailey Zappe is the best quarterback in college football, and now he gets to say he is one of the best,” Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton said. “He’ll go down in history as being one of the best, and holds two records. It’s just special to be a part of that.”
WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart on Zappe's season:"While his record-breaking season was historic, it was even more special because it helped WKU to a conference title and resounding Boca Raton Bowl victory. In the process, he and his teammates elevated our football program and brought national recognition to Western Kentucky University. This is a fitting honor for his unprecedented final collegiate season."
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