Jeremy Zuttah


Jeremy Kwasi Zuttah is a former American football center. He played college football at Rutgers and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He also played with the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers.

Early years

Zuttah started for three years for the J. P. Stevens High School football team, becoming a highly touted prospect and turning down several college football powers for Rutgers. Zuttah's career followed in the footsteps of his older brother Jeff, who committed to the University of Michigan in 2003, but never played a down after team doctors became concerned about his sickle-cell anemia. Jeff later transferred to Stanford University.
He was rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com while being recruited. Zuttah commented that his final three schools came down to Rutgers, Maryland, and Pittsburgh.

College career

As a true freshman in 2004, Zuttah was a reserve player, appearing in nine games, with five starts at both tackle spots and left guard. In 2005, Zuttah started at left guard next to Pedro Sosa, forming a top combination that helped pave the way for Ray Rice during his freshman season. In 2006, Rutgers switched to a zone blocking scheme, and Zuttah subsequently moved to right tackle, in order to better utilize his athleticism in the scheme. Emerging as a vocal team leader, Zuttah earned all-Big East honors as the Rutgers offensive line only surrendered 8 sacks all season, the fewest in all of Division I-A, also ranking fifteenth in the nation in rushing.
In 2007, Zuttah was named to the preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy and the Rotary Lombardi Award. He has been named a pre-season All-America by . Zuttah was named to the 2007 Big East and All-Conference teams. An excellent student, Zuttah graduated Rutgers with an economics degree in 3.5 years.

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zuttah was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed a multi-year contract with the team on July 22. After 4 seasons with the Buccaneers, Zuttah had played in 58 games, starting 44 of them. Of those 44 games, Zuttah started 30 games at left guard, 9 games at center, and 5 games at right guard. Due to his versatility, on March 5, 2012, Zuttah signed a 4-year contract to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Baltimore Ravens

On March 23, 2014, Zuttah was traded from the Buccaneers to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. On November 18, 2015, he was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral, ending his season.
On January 23, 2017, Zuttah was named to his first Pro Bowl for his efforts in the 2016 regular season. He replaced Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey.

San Francisco 49ers

On March 15, 2017, the Ravens traded Zuttah and a 2017 sixth-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers for their 2017 sixth-round draft pick. He was released on August 9, 2017.

Baltimore Ravens (second stint)

On August 18, 2017, Zuttah re-signed with the Ravens. On September 1, 2017, he was released by the Ravens during final roster cuts.