Former South Carolina standout Zacch Pickens has found a new opportunity in the NFL. On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs announced they have signed Pickens to their practice squad just days after he was waived by the Chicago Bears.
Pickens, a third-round selection by Chicago in the 2023 NFL Draft, had difficulty carving out a role with the Bears. Injuries plagued his time in the Windy City, sidelining him for nearly half of the 2024 season and limiting his ability to establish consistency.
Now, the former Gamecock joins a perennial contender in Kansas City. The Chiefs’ defensive tackle group is headlined by All-Pro and future Hall of Famer Chris Jones, but depth is thin at the position. Currently, only Jones, Derrick Nnadi, and rookie Omarr Norman-Lott occupy spots on the active roster. Pickens will compete alongside fellow practice squad tackles Coziah Izzard and Marlon Tuipulotu in hopes of earning a promotion.
Pickens entered South Carolina in 2019 as a five-star recruit and one of the nation’s most coveted defensive line prospects. Across his four-year career with the Gamecocks, he recorded 131 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He earned Freshman All-SEC recognition in 2019 and transitioned into a full-time starter by 2021, later serving as a team captain in 2022.
One of his most memorable performances came in South Carolina’s rivalry win over Clemson in 2022. Despite registering just three tackles, Pickens was a disruptive force all afternoon, recording a sack and consistently pressuring the Tigers’ backfield — another chapter in his history of spurning Clemson, dating back to his commitment out of TL Hanna High School.
For Pickens, Kansas City represents a fresh start with one of the NFL’s most successful franchises, and an opportunity to prove himself once again at the professional level.
