Ricky Stanzi

Ricky Stanzi (born September 3, 1987) is an American football quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Early years
Stanzi went to Lake Catholic High School in Mentor, Ohio and was rated a 3 star recruit. He accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Iowa. He was the starting quarterback there. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2011 NFL draft in the fifth round.

College career
He was replaced by James Vandenberg at Quarterback on November 7, 2009 against Northwestern after suffering a sprained right ankle. It was later confirmed that Stanzi had surgery on his ankle. Stanzi returned at the conclusion of the season to lead Iowa to an Orange Bowl victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Stanzi was 14-4 as a starter, and passed for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns in the 2009 season – completing 56.2 percent of his attempts. In July 2010, Stanzi was named to the 2010 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and Manning Award watch lists. He was also a finalist for The 2010 Premier Player of College Football Trophy that's awarded based on the votes of fans.

Stanzi returned to Iowa for 2010 with 9 touchdowns and only one interception in his first four games. He completed 19-of-25 passes with three passing touchdowns on September 24, 2010.

Stanzi continued to do well despite a loss to the Wisconsin Badgers; 31-30. One of his most memorable moments in the 2010 season was on November 6, 2010 against the Indiana Hoosiers when Stanzi hooked up with Marvin McNutt for a 52-yard touchdown to go up 18-13 with 2:56 remaining in the game. Stanzi put up large numbers in the 2010 season with a 167.2 quarterback rating along with 22 touchdown passes and just 4 interceptions. Stanzi ranked 3rd in the nation in passing efficiency.

Kansas City Chiefs
Stanzi was selected with the 135th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Stanzi was activated for the first time in his NFL career for the Chiefs against the New England Patriots on November 21, 2011. At the end of the 2011 NFL season, Stanzi was second-string behind Kyle Orton.

Stanzi is expected to be the third-string quarterback behind starter Alex Smith and Brady Quinn, who was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on March 17, 2012.

Stanzi and Quinn battled in the 2012 NFL preseason for a back-up quarterback spot behind Cassel. However, Quinn eventually won the number two spot.