Zeke Moreno

Zeke Moreno
No. 57, 50
PositionLinebacker
Personal information
Born (1978-10-08) October 8, 1978
Chula Vista, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight246 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High schoolCastle Park
CollegeSouthern California
NFL draft2001: 5th round, 139th overall pick
Career history
2001–2004San Diego Chargers
2005Houston Texans*
2005Philadelphia Eagles
2005Miami Dolphins[1]
2006Houston Texans*
2007–2008Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2008Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2009Toronto Argonauts
2010Sacramento Mountain Lions
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Stats at Pro Football Reference 
Stats at CFL.ca (archive)

Ezekiel Aaron Moreno (born October 8, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL).

Early life

Moreno, who is of Mexican descent, attended Castle Park High School in Chula Vista, California,[2][3] and was a letterman in football and baseball.[4] As a freshman, he was called up to the varsity football team for the playoffs.[5]

As a sophomore in 1994, Moreno helped Castle Park to a 12–2 record and a CIF San Diego Section Division II title with a 24–21 victory over Torrey Pines High School.[6][7] On defense, he earned first-team All-San Diego Section Division II honors at linebacker, and on offense, he rushed for 272 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries at running back.[6][8] His head coach, Gil Warren, described him as a "phenom".[9]

As a junior, Moreno suffered a knee injury in Castle Park's Metro Conference championship game victory.[10] The team was later defeated in the CIF San Diego Section Division II semifinals by Escondido High School.[11] Moreno was named the CIF San Diego Section Division II co-Defensive Player of the Year.[12]

As a senior, Moreno led Castle Park to a 13–0 record and a CIF San Diego Section Division II title, recording two interceptions and 21 rushing yards in their 37–10 championship game victory over Carlsbad High School.[13] The team was ranked the no. 1 team in the state in their division.[13] Moreno was named the CIF San Diego Section co-Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to play in the California-Texas Shrine All-Star Game.[14][15]

College career

Moreno played college football for the University of Southern California's defense from 1998 to 2000. Known as "Zeke And Destroy" by many USC-faithful, Moreno was a force in the middle of the USC defense.

Professional career

Moreno was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round (139th pick overall) of the 2001 NFL draft.[16] He played for the Chargers for four years (2001–2004). Moreno was released by the Chargers following the 2004 season and was hampered by injuries while trying to find a home with another team in 2005. He signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 2007. He was selected as a CFL All-Star in 2007 and 2008.

On September 9, 2008, Moreno was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[17]

On February 19, 2009, Moreno was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for defensive end Riall Johnson.[18]

On February 21, 2010, Moreno was released by the Argonauts.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2001SDG 160161421.02000001000
2002SDG 163433670.02180810000
2003SDG 16129578172.07000041200
2004SDG 9012930.00000000000
2005PHI 405230.00000000000
Career6115171139323.011180852200

Records

  • Most single season tackles by a Hamilton Tiger-Cat (114)

References

  1. ↑ "Zeke Moreno". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  2. ↑ Hirsch, Troy (July 5, 2022). "Ex-Charger Zeke Moreno recalls high school state title win at Mission Valley stadium". FOX 5 San Diego. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ "USC Trojans and their connections to San Diego". ESPN.com. December 8, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  4. ↑ "In The Zone with San Diego Chargers linebacker Zeke Moreno". Open Your Eyes. Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved July 18, 2007.
  5. ↑ "Prep Football Previews". North County Times. September 27, 1996. p. 26. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 "1994 CIF Division II champions!". The Star-News. December 17, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Brents, Phillip (September 6, 1995). "Can the Trojans do it again?". The Star-News. p. 7. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "All-Division CIF-San Diego Section football teams". The Star-News. June 21, 1995. p. 9. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Scouting | Torrey Pines' Opponent: Castle Park". North County Blade-Citizen. December 12, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Howard, Eric (November 8, 1995). "Trojans claim second Metro banner". The Star-News. p. 11. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Monahan, Terry (December 3, 1995). "Quarter-century wait for Cougars ends with win". North County Times. p. 24. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Coaches' All-CIF Football Teams". The Californian. January 7, 1996. p. 21. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 Brents, Phillip (December 21, 1996). "Trojans are CIF champions". The Star-News. p. 16. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Maffei, John (December 22, 1996). "Vista's Robinson shares CIF top defensive honor". North County Times. p. 21. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Shrine All-Star Roster". Los Angeles Times. May 1, 1997. p. 46. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "2001 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  17. ↑ Blue Bombers tweak trade for Zeke Moreno
  18. ↑ "Argos acquire Moreno from Bombers". Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.