Zac Tubbs

Zac Tubbs (born May 14, 1984 in Cullman, Alabama) is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills as a free agent in 2007. He played collegiate football at the University of Arkansas.

High School Career
Tubbs attended Cullman High School in his hometown of Cullman, Alabama, where he played for the Cullman Bearcats. Tubbs was ranked a three-star recruit and Alabama Preps listed him as the top offensive line prospect in the state, Tubbs garnered nearly every honor available in his high school career, including being named to the Orlando Sentinel All-Southern Team, the Birmingham News Super All-State Team, the Alabama Sports Writers Association Super 12 Team, and the Mobile Register Elite 18 Team. Tubbs was a Class 5A first-team All- State selection by the Birmingham News and Alabama Sports Writers Association. Tubbs started at left tackle in the Alabama vs. Mississippi All-Star Game Classic in Mobile, Alabama, following his senior season. Additionally, Tubbs was named a 2001 All-Star by Gridiron Greats, and earned first-team All-Region, All-County, and All-Area honors following his senior season. Tubbs was named an All-County selection by the Cullman Times and earned All-Area honors following his junior year. He posted back-to-back seasons of over 100 knockdowns, including 107 his senior season. He never allowed a sack during his high school career, and recorded a 405 pound bench press and a 540 pound squat lift. Tubbs signed a full scholarship to the University of Arkansas his senior season  choosing Arkansas over Georgia and Michigan.

Freshman
As a true freshman, Tubbs saw playing time in all 14 games and was only one of two true freshmen to see playing time in the SEC Championship game against Georgia. He earned his first career start against Louisiana Lafayette as a true freshman. In his freshman season, the Razorbacks were SEC Western Division Champions, and faced Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

Sophomore
As a sophomore, Tubbs saw action in all 13 games, including a start against Missouri in the Independence Bowl. Along with his line-mates, he was named to the College Football News’ first-team All-Bowl Team after the Hogs racked up 300 yards rushing against the Tigers, which was an Independence Bowl record.

Junior
Tubbs started the first five games of his junior season at right tackle before suffering a season-ending injury in a middle drill during a bye week practice on October 5. He underwent surgery on October 13 to repair left fibula fractures with associated ligament tears. His rehabilitation took a severe turn for the worse when he developed a blood clot in his leg, and while in the hospital, the clot extended into his lungs causing him to be on breathing support.

Redshirt
Heading into the 2005 season, Tubbs earned multiple preseason honors and recognitions,  including being named to the SEC Coaches’ All-SEC second team ; Phil Steele’s College Football All-SEC fourth team; College Football News All-Welcome Back National First-Team; and Phil Steele’s College Football ranked him as one of the best offensive tackles (No.34) in the country. Due to his lack of rehabilitation time and a Grade 3 high ankle sprain on his opposite ankle during training camp, he opted to take a redshirt for the 2005 season.

Senior
Despite missing a year and a half from the field, Tubbs was named to a host of pre-season All-SEC teams in 2006. The SEC Coaches and SEC Media once again named Tubbs a preseason All-SEC candidate, as he was named to the All-SEC third-team. He was named a pre-season All-SEC second team selection by College Football News, who also ranked him as the #20 offensive tackle in the country. He was a pre-season All-SEC third team selection by Athlon Sports and an All-SEC fourth team selection by Phil Steele’s College Football. Arkansas Offensive Line Coach Mike Markuson on Tubbs: “He gives the team extra confidence and toughness when he’s on the field. He’s got a nasty side to him when it comes down to game day, and he can be a vocal guy. There’s an air about him that says, “Hey, we’re going to get it done today’. That’s why we love having him out there”. Voted by his teammates and coaches as a team captain, Tubbs started all 14 games for the Hogs on the year. In eight out of twelve games he led the offensive line in knockdown blocks, including a team high eight knockdowns against #2 Auburn, #13 Tennessee, and Ole Miss. He earned a season high and team high 12 knockdowns against Louisiana Monroe and had the highest overall grade in five games during the year, which ranked first among UA lineman. Tubbs and his fellow linemen earned “Player of the Week” honors from Hogwired.com after the win over Tennessee. He played an instrumental role in helping the Hogs become SEC Western Division Champions, where they went on to face Florida in the SEC Championship Game.

Honors and Awards
Tubbs earned a host of honors following his senior season, including being named a first-team All-SEC selection by multiple sources  and earning All-American honors. He was selected to Newsday Sports second-team National Senior Offense and was presented the Nelson Rainey Award  from the University of Arkansas. He was named to College Football News first-team All-Bowl Team as a sophomore. Tubbs was an honorable mention for Arkansas’ All-Decade Team, finding himself on several first-team ballots. Academically, he was named to the 2005 Lon Farrell Academic Honor Roll. Tubbs ended his career as a four-year letterman, playing in 47 games as a multi-year starter. He was an SEC Western Division Champion twice (02’, 06’) and played in the SEC Championship Game twice (02’, 06’). Tubbs played in the longest game in NCAA history, a 71-63 seven overtime win against the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, Kentucky. He also played in three bowl games (Music City Bowl, Independence Bowl, Capital One Bowl), seeing playing time in all three bowls including two starts.

Buffalo Bills
Tubbs signed with the Buffalo Bills as a priority free agent in 2007 and was later released from Buffalo during training camp.

Team Arkansas
Tubbs signed with Team Arkansas in the newly formed All-American Football League. Unfortunately, the league ceased operations before training camp. Tubbs was set to sign a contract with Kansas City Brigade in the fall of 2008, but the league made a decision to postpone the upcoming 2009 season.

Sioux Falls Storm
Tubbs signed with the four-time National Champion Sioux Falls Storm of the Indoor Football League in 2009. In his rookie season, he tallied 67 knockdowns in 12 games as a starter on the Storm offensive line. Tubbs re-signed with the Storm in 2010 and earned league honors, earning a spot on the All-IFL second-team. Tubbs was part of a Storm team that were United Conference Champions in 2010, eventually facing the Billings Outlaws in the United Bowl Championship Game.

Texas Revolution
Tubbs signed with the Texas Revolution for the 2013 season, but was released before the seasons start.