Zander Horvath

Zander Horvath
No. 34 – BC Lions
PositionsFullback, running back
Roster statusActive
CFL statusAmerican
Personal information
Born (1998-12-10) December 10, 1998
Mishawaka, Indiana, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High schoolMarian (Mishawaka)
CollegePurdue (2017–2021)
NFL draft2022: 7th round, 260th overall pick
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts4
Rushing yards8
Receptions5
Receiving yards8
Receiving touchdowns2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Alexander "Zander" John Horvath (born December 10, 1998) is an American professional football fullback and running back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Purdue, and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Early life

Zander went to Saint Bavo for elementary and middle school, where he played football and graduated from in 2013. Horvath then also played football at Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana.[1] He recorded 3,373 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground, earning all-state and USA Today Midwest Regional All-American honors.[2]

College career

Horvath initially committed to Indiana to play linebacker as a preferred walk-on, but switched commitments when Purdue running backs coach Chris Barclay offered him a chance to play his natural position of running back.[3][4]

Horvath did not play in 2017.

In 2018, Horvath appeared in 13 games, rushing nine times for 42 yards and a touchdown. Horvath also caught four passes for 38 yards.[5]

In 2019, Horvath's role expanded. Horvath appeared in 11 games, starting four. He rushed 79 times for 377 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 17 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown.[6]

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Horvath appeared in 6 games, starting five. He rushed 89 times for 442 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 30 passes for 304 yards.[7]

In his senior year of 2021, Horvath rushed 91 times for 320 yards, and caught 17 passes for 108 yards.[8]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 1+3⁄4 in
(1.87 m)		232 lb
(105 kg)		32 in
(0.81 m)		9 in
(0.23 m)		6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m)		4.61 s1.57 s2.58 s4.25 s6.75 s35.5 in
(0.90 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		31 reps
All values from Pro Day[9][10]

Initially not projected to be a drafted player, Horvath intrigued scouts with his elite positional athleticism for a fullback, scoring a 9.83 out of 10 Raw Athletic Score (RAS).[11]

Los Angeles Chargers (first stint)

Horvath was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round (260th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.[12] Horvath made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2024 season against the Las Vegas Raiders. On his first NFL carry, he converted a third-and-one for a first down. In the second quarter, he caught a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Herbert in the 24–19 victory.[13] The following week against the Kansas City Chiefs, Horvath caught another one-yard touchdown pass from Herbert in the loss, becoming the first running back or fullback to record a touchdown reception in each of his first two games since 1942.[14] He also became the fourth seventh-round draft choice to record two touchdown receptions within his first two career games.[15] In Week 6, he made his first NFL start in an overtime victory over the Denver Broncos. Horvath appeared in 15 games with two starts before being inactive for the final two games of the regular season due to an ankle injury. He finished the season with five receptions for eight yards and two touchdowns while rushing for eight yards on four carries. He appeared in the Chargers' Wild Card playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording two total tackles in the loss. He was released by the Chargers on August 30, 2023.[16]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 2, 2023, Horvath signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers.[17] He was released on October 9.[18]

Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)

Horvath was re-signed to the Chargers practice squad on November 22, 2023.[19] He was released on December 1.[20]

New Orleans Saints

On March 7, 2024, Horvath signed with the New Orleans Saints.[21] On August 13, he was waived by the Saints.[22]

Miami Dolphins

On August 19, 2024, Horvath signed with the Miami Dolphins.[23] He was waived on August 27.[24]

BC Lions

On January 24, 2025, Horvath signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a running back.[25] He dressed for the team's first four games but did not record any statistics. In a Week 5 victory over the Montreal Alouettes, Horvath recorded his first CFL carry before suffering an injury during the contest. He was placed on the Lions' one-game injured list on July 13 and subsequently missed the team's next eight games.[26] On August 12, Horvath was reassigned to the Lions' practice roster. On September 18, he was recalled to the active roster following an injury to fellow running back James Butler.[27] In Week 16 against the Calgary Stampeders, Horvath made his first start of the season and returned to action for the first time since his injury, recording 12 carries for 152 yards and a 70-yard touchdown in a 52–23 victory, earning CFL Running Back of the Week honors.[28][29] On the season, he dressed in 10 games with one start, recording 24 rushing attempts for 231 yards and two touchdowns while adding two receptions for 47 yards. The Lions finished the season with an 11–7 record and qualified for the playoffs. Horvath appeared in both playoff games, recording three rushing attempts for 10 yards.[30]

In Week 9 of the 2026 season, Horvath earned his first start of the season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He rushed for a CFL season-high 191 yards on 17 carries and scored three rushing touchdowns in the 35–19 victory, on a one-yard quarterback sneak and runs of 58 and 35 yards. Horvath combined with quarterback Kaidon Salter for 351 rushing yards.[31]

Career statistics

NFL

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
2022LAC 152482.00581.62
Career152482.00581.62

CFL

Year Team Games[a] Rushing Receiving
GDGSAttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
2025BC 101242319.6224723.50
2026BC 92714185.981614215.83
Career193956496.8101818910.52
  1. ↑ Horvath is not officially credited with a start against Hamilton on August 8, 2026; game log and film show he started.[32]

College

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
2017Purdue 00Redshirted Redshirt
2018Purdue 1309424.714389.50
2019Purdue 114793774.82171428.41
2020Purdue 65894425.023030410.10
2021Purdue 85913203.53171086.40
Career38142681,1814.48685928.71

References

  1. ↑ Noie, Tom (September 1, 2016). "Speed, power drive Marian RB Horvath". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  2. ↑ Glaspie, Akeem (November 30, 2019). "Told he was a linebacker, Purdue's Zander Horvath proving he's a running back — and more". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ Fezler, D. J. (March 31, 2022). "Purdue Running Back Zander Horvath Posts Impressive Pro Day Performance". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ↑ Fezler, D. J. (August 30, 2022). "Former Purdue Running Back Zander Horvath Makes Chargers' Initial 53-Man Roster". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2018 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2019 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2020 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2021 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Chargers select Zander Horvath with No. 260 pick in 2022 draft". NFL.com (video). Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  10. ↑ "2022 NFL Draft Scout Zander Horvath College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  11. ↑ Peterson, Michael (April 30, 2022). "Chargers select FB Zander Horvath with the 260th-overall pick". Bolts From The Blue. SB Nation. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  12. ↑ Horner, Scott (April 30, 2022). "Purdue running back Zander Horvath picked in the seventh round by the Chargers". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers - September 11th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  14. ↑ Harvey, Paul (September 16, 2022). "Zander Horvath becomes first RB/FB in 80 years to achieve impressive start". Saturday Tradition. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers 2023 Media Guide". Los Angeles Chargers. p. 164. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers Claim Linebacker Tanner Muse". Chargers.com. August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  17. ↑ Varley, Teresa (September 2, 2023). "Steelers sign three to practice squad". Steelers.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  18. ↑ Varley, Teresa (October 9, 2023). "Steelers make roster moves". Steelers.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers Place Joey Bosa on Injured Reserve; Sign Andrew Farmer II to Active Roster". Chargers.com. November 22, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  20. ↑ Borquez, Gavino (December 1, 2023). "Chargers sign OL Austen Pleasants to practice squad". Chargers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  21. ↑ "New Orleans Saints sign fullback Zander Horvath". NewOrleansSaints.com. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  22. ↑ Alper, Josh (August 13, 2024). "Saints sign CB Kaleb Ford-Dement, waive FB Zander Horvath". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 19, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 27, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Lions Sign Former Purdue Standout & LA Chargers RB Zander Horvath". BC Lions. January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  26. ↑ "BC Lions Transactions". BC Lions. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  27. ↑ "BC Lions Transactions". BC Lions. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Honour Roll, Week 16: Nathan Rourke, Andrew Chatfield Jr., Redblacks' O-line make the grade". Canadian Football League. September 24, 2025. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Zander Horvath". BC Lions. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Alexander Horvath 2025 Game Log". The Football Database. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  31. ↑ "3 stats that defined BC's Week 9 victory over Winnipeg". CFL.ca. July 31, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  32. ↑ "BC Lions vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats". CFL.ca. August 8, 2026.
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