An undrafted cornerback out of Houston who turned elite pro-day testing numbers into a roster spot with Kansas City.
Zelmar Vedder is a rookie cornerback who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent after going unpicked in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Modesto, California native built his case with strong tape at Houston and some of the best athletic testing numbers of any defensive back in his class.
Path to the league
Vedder played his college football at Houston, where he developed into a regular contributor in the Cougars' secondary. He went unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Chiefs shortly afterward as an undrafted free agent.
Career highlights
In his final season at Houston, Vedder finished third on the team with seven pass breakups. He stood out at his pro day with a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, a 39.5-inch vertical jump, and a broad jump that ranked among the best at his position nationally.
2025 season recap
Vedder closed out his Houston career in the 2025 season as one of the Cougars' most active cover corners, generating consistent pass-breakup production before turning his testing numbers into an NFL opportunity with Kansas City.
Sources
- ESPN: Zelmar Vedder Bio
- University of Houston Athletics: Zelmar Vedder
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- Houston
- Hometown
- Manteca, CA, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
