Bailey Zappe
Quarterback / Houston Baptist

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Bailey Zappe:  My height is 6’2, weight is 210 and 4.7.    

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Bailey Zappe:  We were 11 practices into spring ball out of 15.  It was a big thing.  It has helped us out.  We have a leg up on our competition.  I was also fortunate to have the weight room in my garage.  I live about a mile from my high school.  My younger brother and I have done some field work there. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Bailey Zappe:  I played basketball all four years.  I also ran track freshman to junior year.  I did the triple jump and the 4x100m relay.

Alex Khvatov:  When did you start playing QB? 

Bailey Zappe:  I started playing tackle football when I was five years old.  It was my second practice playing football, and they put me at QB.  It is the only position I have ever played.  I was a varsity starting QB three years in a row.     

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Bailey Zappe:  I didn’t have any offers.  I had no D-I offers, no D-II, and no D-III.

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Houston Baptist? 

Bailey Zappe:  It was my only offer.  Around January, coach Shealy told me that they would be offering me.  I am grateful for the opportunity that they gave me.   

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.        

Bailey Zappe:  We accomplished many things.  We went 1-10 in my first two years.  Last season, we went 5-7.  There was a huge improvement that we made from my sophomore to junior year.  I have also improved in many areas.   

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from Houston Baptist this upcoming season? 

Bailey Zappe:  The team goal is to win the conference.  We have playmakers on offense and defense.  Realistically, we can be a great team and make it to the playoffs.  I have never been to the playoffs.      

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Bailey Zappe:  I have great knowledge of the game and the offense that we run.  I make full field reads in this offense.  I understand what the defense is trying to do.  My poise under duress and getting the ball to our playmakers.  My arm strength.  I can make every throw on the field.    

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Bailey Zappe:  Turnovers and just taking care of the ball more.  You can always have better feet.  Continue to work on a quicker release. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Bailey Zappe:  Everybody realized that we can be a force when we upset South Dakota.  They were supposed to beat us badly.  We went to their dome and beat them on the road.  We beat them 53-52.  It was the biggest highlight of my career.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Bailey Zappe:  Coach Shealy and I have built quite a relationship.  I had 15 INT’s last season, which was uncalled for.  He always tells me to take care off the ball and to go through the reads.  Don’t go outside of the offense.  Stay calm, no matter what.      

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Bailey Zappe:  Tom Brady.  From a fan’s side, his overall greatness.  The way he plays the game of football and he has been doing it for over 20 years.  His knowledge, confidence and leadership.  He was able to win six Super Bowls and might get his seventh this year.    

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Bailey Zappe:  WR Ben Ratzlaff is the best receiver in the nation.  He has great hands and is a good route runner.  WR Jerreth Sterns had over 100+ catches last year.  He is one of the better receivers in the nation.  RB Dreshawn Minnieweather was hurt for four or five games this past year.  He will be a force.  He is a powerful RB.  On defense, we have a LB duo in Brennan Young and Caleb Johnson.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Bailey Zappe:  I have played a lot of great defenses in this conference.  P.J. Hall from Sam Houston State.  He was drafted by the Raiders.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a QB?

Bailey Zappe:  Leadership.  I look at Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.  I watch those guys, and they make the rest of the guys around them better.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Bailey Zappe:  I enjoy the competitiveness.  It is 11 versus 11.  Everyone has to do their job.  I love the physicality.  I love to take a hit.  It feels good.  I play against some great defenses in this conference. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Bailey Zappe:  I am from Victoria, Texas.  It is in the South Texas.  I like deer hunting.  We also live about 40 minutes away from the bay.  I like to go fishing on a boat.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Bailey Zappe:  My major is in marketing.  The goal for me is to make it to the next level.  I want to make in the business world and pursue marketing.

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Bailey Zappe:  My knowledge of the game.  Being around the game and soaking it up as a sponge.  I try to learn everything.  I understand every position.  I see the whole field.  I have been a captain since my sophomore year.  I will be a three-year captain this year.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Bailey Zappe:  Being able to make everyone around him better.  QB is the leader of the team. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Bailey Zappe:  Leader, winner, confident, competitor, and trustworthy.