Zacch Pickens Bio
Zaccheaus L. Pickens is an American professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, he entered the NFL with the Chicago Bears in 2023 and has since moved through the Kansas City Chiefs. Born on March 6, 2000, in Anderson, South Carolina, Pickens developed into a highly ranked recruit before making his professional debut.
Early Life and Background
Zaccheaus L. Pickens was born on March 6, 2000, in Anderson, South Carolina. He grew up in the same community where he later built his football reputation and attended T. L. Hanna High School. At six feet four inches tall and roughly 300 pounds, Pickens developed the frame that would allow him to play along the defensive line at the highest level of the sport.
Pickens starred at T. L. Hanna High School, where he was named South Carolina’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year as a senior in 2018. During that final high school season, he recorded 87 tackles, six sacks, and an interception that he returned for a touchdown, totals that established him as one of the top defensive line prospects in the country.
Following his senior season, Pickens was rated as a five-star recruit and was selected to play in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game. He chose to continue his football career at the University of South Carolina, committing to play for the Gamecocks and remaining in his home state for his college career.
Path to Professional Football
Pickens arrived at the University of South Carolina in 2019 and quickly contributed along the defensive front. As a true freshman, he played in all 12 games and recorded 16 tackles, an early indication that the Gamecocks could rely on him for steady minutes up front.
By his sophomore season in 2020, Pickens had earned a larger role, starting seven of 10 games and finishing with 35 tackles and one sack. His continued development positioned him as one of the central figures of the South Carolina defensive line heading into his junior year.
As a junior in 2021, Pickens started all 13 games and produced 38 tackles and four sacks, establishing himself as a probable NFL prospect. He returned to South Carolina for his senior season in 2022, completing his college career with the Gamecocks before declaring for the 2023 NFL draft.
Zacch Pickens Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
Zaccheaus L. Pickens was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft with the 64th overall pick. The Bears added him to a defensive line rotation that was in the early stages of a roster overhaul, giving Pickens the opportunity to begin his professional career close to a starting role.
Through his first two NFL seasons with the Bears, Pickens appeared in regular season games and built his professional resume along the defensive front. His most productive statistical line to date includes 44 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection, totals reflected in his career NFL statistics through 2025.
Chicago Bears Era (2023–2024)
Pickens spent his first two professional seasons with the Chicago Bears after being drafted in 2023. Working within the Bears’ defensive line room, he gained experience as a rotational defensive end while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.
Over the course of his Chicago tenure, Pickens accumulated the bulk of his current NFL totals, including tackles and his 1.5 sacks. On August 26, 2025, he was waived by the Bears as part of the league’s final roster cuts, ending his time in Chicago.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2025)
On August 29, 2025, Pickens was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, giving him an opportunity to remain in the league. The Chiefs, a perennial Super Bowl contender, offered a different defensive environment and a chance to compete within a championship program.
Pickens was promoted to the Kansas City Chiefs active roster on December 17, 2025. His tenure with the Chiefs came to a close on May 4, 2026, when he was waived by the team.
New York Giants Era (2026–Present)
On May 5, 2026, Pickens was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, where he currently wears jersey number 96. His move to the Giants marked his third NFL organization in a short span and represented a fresh opportunity to secure a more permanent role along the defensive line.
Listed as an active member of the Giants roster, Pickens continues to work toward a larger defensive role with his new team. His combination of size, prior starting experience, and familiarity with multiple defensive systems positions him as a depth piece with starting potential.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pickens is a tall, long defensive end who uses his frame to hold the edge against the run and to challenge opposing offensive tackles in pass rushing situations. His experience starting in the SEC at South Carolina prepared him for the physical style of NFL offensive line play, and his time in multiple defensive schemes has added versatility to his approach.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Pickens’ career are his 2018 Gatorade Football Player of the Year award in South Carolina, his selection in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, and his participation in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game. His movement among the Bears, Chiefs, and Giants within a single offseason also stands out as a notable chapter in his early professional journey.
Zacch Pickens Career Highlights
Zaccheaus L. Pickens has built a resume that begins with standout high school production in South Carolina and continues into the NFL. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 44 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection, while appearing for the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Giants.
College Highlights
Across four seasons at South Carolina, Pickens steadily increased his production, finishing with 16 tackles as a freshman in 2019, 35 tackles and one sack as a sophomore in 2020, and 38 tackles and four sacks as a junior in 2021. He returned for his senior season in 2022 before declaring for the NFL draft.
Zacch Pickens Family
Personal Life
Zaccheaus L. Pickens was born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, and is an American by nationality. Public details about his parents, spouse, or children are not clearly supported by available sources, and those areas have been intentionally left aside in this biography.
2025 Season Performance
Pickens entered the 2025 season still on the Chicago Bears roster before being waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts. He quickly found a new home, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad on August 29, 2025, and remained there through the early portion of the season.
On December 17, 2025, Pickens was promoted to the Chiefs’ active roster, giving him the chance to contribute in the closing stretch of the regular season. His statistical totals through 2025, including 44 career tackles and 1.5 sacks, reflect the rotational role he has continued to occupy.
Heading into the 2025 season’s conclusion, Pickens’ outlook centered on securing a more permanent place on an active NFL roster. That opportunity arrived on May 5, 2026, when he was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, setting the stage for the next chapter of his professional career.