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John Wolford

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For the English rugby league player, see Johnny Wolford. For other people, see John Woolford (disambiguation).

John Wolford
refer to caption
Wolford in 2020
Personal information
Born: (1995-10-16) October 16, 1995 (age 29)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Bishop Kenny
(Jacksonville, Florida)
College:Wake Forest (2014–2017)
Position:Quarterback
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
TD–INT:1–5
Passing yards:626
Completion percentage:58.7%
Passer rating:59.2
Rushing yards:87
Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Thomas Wolford[1] (born October 16, 1995) is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Wake Forest and signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2018, and played for the Los Angeles Rams from 2019 to 2022. He has also played for the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football.

Early life

[edit]

Wolford was born in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Jacksonville at an early age where he attended Bishop Kenny High School.[2][3] As a pro-style quarterback, he was rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com[4] and ESPN[5] and committed to play college football at Wake Forest. He was briefly the all-time leader in all major statistical passing categories for high school football in the state of Florida.[citation needed]

College career

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Wolford started his college career as the first Wake Forest player to start all 12 games as a true freshman, setting school records in attempts, passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage by a true freshman. He struggled at times, throwing 13 interceptions in his first eight games, but showed improvement over the year, throwing only one interception in the final four. He finished eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in passing yards per game at 169.8, ranking second among freshmen in the conference behind only Miami's Brad Kaaya.

He had another strong year as a sophomore. In the first game of the season, he threw for a career-high 323 yards in a 41–3 win over Elon; the next week, he threw for 373 yards in a 30–17 loss vs. Syracuse. His 696 passing yards in the first two games constituted the best start ever by a Wake Forest quarterback. As a junior, he started 11 of 13 games, missing one game due to injury.

As a senior, he had the most impressive season of his college career, earning second-team all-ACC honors and setting school records in single-season passer rating, passing yards, touchdown passes, total offense yards, and touchdowns, as well as the school record in career touchdowns. In the Belk Bowl, he set school bowl game records in completions (32), attempts (49), passing yards (400), and touchdowns (4), becoming the first FBS player since 2000 to pass for 400+ yards, rush for 65+ yards, and throw no interceptions in a bowl game.[2]

College statistics

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Season Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rate Att Yards Avg TD
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2014 12 12 3–9 214 367 58.3 2,037 5.6 12 14 108.1 104 -151 -1.5 0
2015 11 10 3–7 142 235 60.4 1,791 7.6 9 11 127.7 73 67 0.9 3
2016 12 11 6–5 166 299 55.5 1,774 5.9 9 10 108.6 130 521 4.0 6
2017 12 12 8–4 239 374 63.9 3,192 8.5 29 9 158.0 140 683 4.9 10
Career 47 45 20−25 761 1,275 59.7 8,794 6.9 59 41 126.5 447 1,120 2.5 19

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
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
5 ft 11+1⁄2 in
(1.82 m) 		205 lb
(93 kg) 		29+1⁄8 in
(0.74 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.77 s 1.70 s 2.76 s 4.18 s 6.78 s 31 in
(0.79 m)		 9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)
All values from 2018 Wake Forest Pro Day[6][7]

New York Jets

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After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, Wolford signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets. He played in most of the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, completing 8 passes on 20 attempts for 89 yards and an interception.[8][9] He was waived on September 2 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[10] He was released from the practice squad a day later to make room for former New York Giants quarterback Davis Webb.[11]

Arizona Hotshots

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The Arizona Hotshots drafted Wolford with their second-round pick in the 2019 AAF QB Draft. He entered the preseason competing with first-round pick Trevor Knight for the starting job; in the Hotshots' sole preseason game against the Birmingham Iron, Wolford completed 9 of 14 passes for 116 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion. He was named starter prior to the regular season.[12]

In the first game of the regular season, a 38–22 win over the Salt Lake Stallions, Wolford completed 18 of 29 passes for 275 yards, four touchdowns, and two two-point conversions; for his performance, he was named Week 1 AAF Offensive Player of the Week.[13][14] He earned a second Player of the Week award in Week 7, when he completed 15 of 19 passes for 212 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a 126.3 passer rating and ran for a 35-yard touchdown in a 32–15 victory against the San Diego Fleet.[15]

Los Angeles Rams

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On April 10, 2019, Wolford signed with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL after the AAF suspended operations.[16] He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019,[17] but was signed the next day to the Rams' practice squad.[18] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on December 31, 2019.

Following an injury to starter Jared Goff during a Week 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks, Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed on December 28, 2020, that Wolford would start the final game of the season against the Arizona Cardinals.[19] Wolford would become the first quarterback to make his first start with a team during Week 17 with a playoff berth on the line since Kyle Orton with the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.[20] After throwing an interception to Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks on his first pass attempt of the game, Wolford quickly turned things around, completing 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards while also rushing six times for 56 yards as the Rams went on to beat the Cardinals 18–7 to clinch a playoff berth.[21] He became the first quarterback to pass for 200+ yards and rush for 50+ yards in an NFL debut.[22] Wolford started for the Rams in the wild card playoff game at the Seattle Seahawks, but left in the first quarter with a neck injury after sustaining a shoulder to helmet hit from Seahawks safety Jamal Adams.[23] He was taken to the hospital and later was released from the hospital the same day.[24] Wolford completed three of six passes for 29 yards prior to leaving the game, which the Rams went on to win 30–20.

In 2021, Wolford served as the backup for the newly acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford. Wolford also remained the backup during the Rams' playoff run, winning Super Bowl LVI when they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.[25]

On November 13, 2022, Wolford was named the starting quarterback for Week 10 against the Cardinals after Stafford was placed in concussion protocol. Coincidentally, Kyler Murray also missed the game due to injury, with Colt McCoy serving as the starter in a backup versus backup matchup.[26]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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On May 9, 2023, Wolford signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[27] He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.[28][29] Wolford was promoted to the active roster on October 31, 2023.[30]

Wolford re-signed with the Buccaneers on March 15, 2024.[31] He was released during final roster cuts on August 27.[32]

Professional statistics

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Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

AAF statistics

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Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fum
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Y/A Lng TD Sck Yds
2019 ARI 8 7 5–2 130 205 63.4 1,616 7.9 64 14 7 96.3 36 160 4.4 35 1 14 88 1
Career 8 7 5–2 130 205 63.4 1,616 7.9 64 14 7 96.3 36 160 4.4 35 1 14 88 1

NFL statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Y/A Lng TD Sck Yds Fum Lost
2020 LAR 1 1 1–0 22 38 57.9 231 6.1 38 0 1 64.7 6 56 9.3 14 0 2 8 0 0
2021 LAR 3 0 — 1 4 25.0 5 1.3 5 0 1 0.0 2 -1 -0.5 0 0 1 8 0 0
2022 LAR 3 3 1–2 38 62 61.3 390 6.3 30 1 3 64.6 8 32 4.0 14 0 7 49 3 1
2023 TB 0 0 — DNP
Career 7 4 2–2 61 104 58.7 626 6.0 38 1 5 59.2 16 87 5.4 14 0 10 65 3 1

Postseason

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Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Y/A Lng TD Sck Yds Fum Lost
2020 LAR 1 1 1–0 3 6 50.0 29 4.8 15 0 0 63.9 1 2 2.0 2 0 1 0 0 0
2021 LAR 0 0 — DNP
2023 TB 0 0 — DNP
Career 1 1 1–0 3 6 50.0 29 4.8 15 0 0 63.9 1 2 2.0 2 0 1 0 0 0

Career awards and records

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  • First quarterback in NFL history to pass for 200+ yards and rush for 50+ yards in an NFL debut.[22]

Personal life

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Wolford's uncle, Will Wolford, was a three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle who played 13 seasons in the NFL.[33]

References

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  1. ^ "2017-18 ACC Academic Honor Roll" (PDF). Atlantic Coast Conference. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "2017 Football Roster: John Wolford". WF Football. Wake Forest University Athletics. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  3. ^ Coppage, Mike (July 22, 2010). "A Look Ahead: 2014 QB John Wolford". PonyStampede.com. Scout.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2022. They were born in Dallas, back when I was training at Parkland Hospital, and their grandparents still live there.
  4. ^ "Rivals.com". n.rivals.com. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  5. ^ "John Wolford". ESPN Recruiting. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  6. ^ "John Wolford, DS #16 QB, Wake Forest". DraftScout.com. The Sports Xchange. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  7. ^ "John Wolford 2018 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Cimini, Rich (November 15, 2018). "Story of ex-Jet's long shot: Summer fling, a perfect pass, Wall Street". ESPN.com. ESPN Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  9. ^ "New York Jets vs. Philadelphia Eagles". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  10. ^ "John Wolford (QB) to Practice Squad; Complete List". JetNation.com. September 3, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  11. ^ Wells, MacGregor (September 4, 2018). "Jets Sign Ex-Giants QB Davis Webb To Practice Squad, Cut QB John Wolford". Gang Green Nation. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "Wolford wins starting QB job for Arizona team in new football league". Winston-Salem Journal. BH Media Group, Inc. February 9, 2019. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  13. ^ Romero, Jose (February 12, 2019). "Arizona Hotshots quarterback John Wolford named Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week". AAF.com. Alliance of American Football. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  14. ^ "Arizona Hotshots vs Salt Lake Stallions – Week 1". NoExtraPoints. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  15. ^ "Wolford, Gates and Zema are players of the week". aaf.com. March 26, 2019. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  16. ^ Dennis, Clarence (April 10, 2019). "Rams sign former AAF QB John Wolford". TheRams.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Han, Jamie (August 31, 2019). "Rams trim roster down to 53 players". TheRams.com. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  18. ^ Han, Jamie (September 1, 2019). "Rams sign 10 practice squad players". TheRams.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  19. ^ Thiry, Lindsey (January 3, 2021). "John Wolford is now the Rams' starting QB, but who is John Wolford?". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Carlin, Skyler (December 28, 2020). "Rams QB John Wolford set to make history in first career start vs. Cardinals". Clutch Points. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  21. ^ Klein, Gary (January 3, 2021). "John Wolford gets it done for Rams in playoff-clinching win over Cardinals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Rams QB John Wolford made NFL history with Week 17 performance". theramswire.usatoday.com. Rams Wire. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  23. ^ "Rams QB John Wolford (neck) questionable to return vs. Seahawks; Jared Goff in". NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  24. ^ Thiry, Lindsey (January 9, 2021). "QB Wolford out of hospital, celebrates with Rams". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  25. ^ Schwartz, Paul (February 13, 2021). "LA Rams defeat Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 2022". nypost.com.
  26. ^ Root, Jess (November 13, 2022). "Cardinals to face Rams QB John Wolford barring drastic changes". Cards Wire. USA Today. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  27. ^ Smith, Scott (May 9, 2023). "Bucs Sign Former Rams QB John Wolford". Buccaneers.com.
  28. ^ Smith, Scott (August 30, 2023). "Bucs Cut Down to 53 for Regular Season, Place Ryan Jensen on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  29. ^ Smith, Scott (August 30, 2023). "John Wolford, Jose Ramirez Among First 14 on Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com.
  30. ^ Smith, Scott. "Bucs Promote John Wolford to Active Roster". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  31. ^ Smith, Scott (March 15, 2024). "John Wolford Re-Ups with Bucs, Keeps QB Room Intact". Buccaneers.com.
  32. ^ Smith, Scott (August 27, 2024). "Bucs Cut Down to 53, Place Chase Edmonds, Rakim Jarrett on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  33. ^ O’Neill, Conor (November 17, 2017). "Ultimate competitor: After three tough years, Wake Forest QB John Wolford leading high-powered offense". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
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