Hall of Fame
Arguably John Carroll football’s top "x-factor" of all-time, David Ziegler was a unanimous Division III All-American selection for three straight seasons from 1997-1999 based largely on his abilities as a return man on special teams. He was JCU's third three-time All-American behind David Rastoka and Ryan Haley.
A graduate of Tallmadge High School in Tallmadge, Ohio, Ziegler led the nation in kick return average as a senior in 1999 (35.73) and became just the fourth player in Division III history to amass 1,000 career yards in both kick and punt returns. He also ranked ninth in the nation as a junior and second as a sophomore in punt return average (15.36 and 21.28, respectively).
In 1997, Ziegler racked up 178 punt return yards in a game against Otterbein, becoming the first Blue Streak to gain over 100 yards on punt returns in a single contest.
For good measure, the 2000 John Carroll graduate set an NCAA Division III school playoff record for longest punt return for a touchdown (84 yards).
A three-time First Team All-OAC selection for his work as a kick and punt returner, Ziegler also managed to catch 62 passes for 679 yards and six touchdowns as a wide receiver. He still holds ten school records, including career punt and kick return average (16.9 and 34.4, respectively) and punt and kick return touchdowns (3 and 4, respectively).
After graduation, Ziegler spent time coaching football at John Carroll, Iona College, and Chapparral High School in Arizona. He then worked in the scouting department for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League from 2010-2012.
In 2013, the New England Patriots hired Ziegler in their front office, helping the franchise win three Super Bowls. He first served as the team's Assistant Director of Pro Scouting for three seasons, then was promoted to the Director of Pro Personnel in 2016. Ziegler was later named Assistant Director of Player Personnel and Director of Player Personnel, a position former John Carroll teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Nick Caserio held for 13 seasons.
In 2022, Ziegler was hired as the General Manager of the Las Vegas Raiders along with former JCU teammate Josh McDaniels as head coach.
