Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Zyon McCollum is an American professional football player who plays as a cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. Known for his exceptional speed, athleticism, and coverage abilities, McCollum has developed into an important member of Tampa Bay’s defense. Away from football, many fans are interested in learning about Zyon McCollum’s family, wife, children, parents, and siblings.
Born on May 3, 1999, in Texas, McCollum grew up in an athletic family. His mother, Tisha McCollum, is an educator, while his father, Cory Carr, is a former professional basketball player who represented the Chicago Bulls.
His identical twin brother, Tristin McCollum, also plays professional football in the NFL. The brothers attended the same high school and university before beginning their separate professional careers.
Zyon is married to Acacia McCollum, formerly Acacia Shepardson, a former college soccer player whom he married in March 2024.
Here is everything publicly known about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback’s personal life and family background.
Who Is Zyon McCollum’s Wife or Girlfriend?
Zyon McCollum is married to Acacia McCollum, formerly known as Acacia Shepardson. She is a former college soccer player who represented Sam Houston State University in Texas.
The couple developed a long-term relationship before announcing their engagement in July 2022.
According to relationship reporting, Zyon proposed to Acacia near the Florida state line, a location with personal significance to the couple.
He celebrated their engagement on social media, expressing his commitment to spending his future with her.
After approximately two years of engagement, the couple married on March 23, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Their wedding celebrations included a gathering at The Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers subsequently shared news of their marriage with fans during the 2024 offseason.
Sports Illustrated Lifestyle reported in September 2025 that the couple had been together for more than eight years and had celebrated their first wedding anniversary earlier that year.
As of now, Acacia continues to be publicly identified as Zyon McCollum’s wife. The couple also work together on charitable projects supporting children and educators in the Tampa Bay community.
Who Is Acacia McCollum?
Acacia McCollum is a former American college soccer player and the wife of NFL cornerback Zyon McCollum.
Originally from Round Rock, Texas, she attended Round Rock High School, where she developed into an accomplished soccer player.
According to Sam Houston State University’s official athletics biography, Acacia played three years of varsity soccer during high school.
She helped her team achieve an undefeated district championship season and reach the regional semifinals in 2014.
She also earned academic all-district recognition on three occasions.
Before entering college, Acacia competed in club soccer for Lonestar Soccer Club.
Her performances earned her the opportunity to continue her athletic career at Sam Houston State University.
She joined the university’s women’s soccer program in 2016 and played as a defender.
During her college career, she appeared in games against several NCAA Division I opponents while pursuing her education.
Her official college biography identifies her parents as Ken and Christine Shepardson.
Following her college athletic career, Acacia became involved in education and coaching.
She worked as an assistant girls’ soccer coach at Willis High School in Texas, helping younger athletes develop their skills.
Her interest in youth development has continued through the charitable foundation she established with her husband.
Zyon and Acacia McCollum’s Charitable Foundation
Beyond their marriage, Zyon and Acacia McCollum are the founders of A to Z, A McCollum Foundation, a charitable organization focused on supporting children, teachers, and families.
The foundation was established in Florida in March 2025.
According to reporting by Tampa Bay 28, the couple created the organization to provide resources for educators and help children facing difficult circumstances.
Its activities have included food donations, back-to-school shopping opportunities, mentorship programs, and community events.
In November 2025, Zyon participated in a Thanksgiving event at the NFL YET Center in Tampa, helping provide meals to children and families.
He explained that the foundation aims to maintain consistent relationships with young people rather than organizing only occasional charitable appearances.
The City of Tampa also recognized the couple’s community involvement in July 2026.
According to an official city announcement, the foundation had supported Thanksgiving food distributions, Christmas shopping opportunities, and recreational activities for children.
The announcement specifically identified Acacia as Zyon’s wife and co-founder of the organization.
Their charitable work reflects their shared interest in education, youth development, and helping families.
Does Zyon McCollum Have Children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Zyon McCollum has children.
Although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback is married to Acacia McCollum, the couple have not publicly confirmed the birth of a son or daughter through authoritative sports reporting.
Their charitable activities frequently involve children, which may lead some fans to wonder whether they are parents themselves.
However, their involvement with youth programs does not establish that they have children of their own.
Official announcements from the City of Tampa and other reporting about their foundation identify Zyon and Acacia as a married couple but do not provide information about children.
As of now, the couple’s parental status remains private, and there are no reliably documented names or birth announcements for any children.
Who Are Zyon McCollum’s Parents?
Zyon McCollum’s parents are Tisha McCollum and Cory Carr. Both have athletic or educational backgrounds that influenced his upbringing.
His mother worked as a high school English teacher, while his father played professional basketball, including a period with the Chicago Bulls.
Their identities are documented in interviews with Zyon and official football biographies.
Zyon McCollum’s Mother – Tisha McCollum
Tisha McCollum is Zyon McCollum’s mother and a high school English teacher.
She raised Zyon and his identical twin brother, Tristin, in Texas while working in education.
According to a January 2024 feature published by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tisha raised the twins as a single mother.
She encouraged her sons to participate in multiple sports from an early age, believing that different athletic activities would improve their coordination, confidence, and overall development.
During their childhood, Zyon and Tristin participated in swimming, tennis, basketball, baseball, track and field, and football.
Tisha also emphasized academic responsibility and encouraged her sons to develop discipline outside athletics.
In interviews, Zyon has praised his mother’s dedication and described the important values she taught him and his brother.
Her influence became particularly important when the twins were younger and smaller than many of their competitors.
How Tisha McCollum Helped Her Sons Become NFL Players
During the early stages of their football careers, Zyon and Tristin were smaller than many other high school athletes.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tisha encouraged them to remain patient and continue working hard because she believed they would eventually experience significant physical growth.
The twins later experienced growth spurts that improved their opportunities as football players.
However, Tisha emphasized that their years competing against larger athletes had already helped them develop determination and resilience.
She also supported their decision to attend the same university.
Although both brothers initially considered the University of Utah, they eventually chose Sam Houston State because the university offered opportunities for both of them to play football together.
In February 2025, Texas Football published a feature about Tristin’s journey to Super Bowl LIX.
The article credited Tisha’s influence with helping both brothers develop into disciplined and determined professional athletes.
As of now, Tisha remains an important publicly documented figure in the McCollum family’s story.
Zyon McCollum’s Father – Cory Carr
Cory Carr is Zyon McCollum’s father and a former professional basketball player.
He played college basketball at Texas Tech University, where he became one of the program’s outstanding guards during the 1990s.
Carr earned first-team All-Big 12 Conference recognition before entering the 1998 NBA Draft.
The Chicago Bulls selected him in the second round of the draft.
He subsequently played for Chicago during the 1998-99 NBA season, shortly after the franchise’s championship era led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman.
After his NBA experience, Carr continued playing professional basketball internationally.
His athletic background influenced Zyon and Tristin during childhood.
In a September 2023 interview with Go Long, Zyon discussed his father’s basketball career and recalled joking with him about narrowly missing the opportunity to play alongside Michael Jordan.
He also explained that both parents encouraged the twins to experiment with different sports rather than specializing too early.
Although their father had been a professional basketball player, Zyon and Tristin eventually developed a stronger interest in American football.
Carr’s advice about athletic development and perseverance nevertheless remained part of their upbringing.
Who Are Zyon McCollum’s Siblings?
Zyon McCollum has an identical twin brother named Tristin McCollum, who also plays professional football in the NFL.
The brothers have one of the most extensively documented sibling relationships among NFL defensive backs.
They grew up together, attended the same schools, played on the same college football team, and eventually entered the NFL in 2022.
Some secondary biographies have referred to another older sibling, but that person’s identity and relationship have not been sufficiently established through authoritative reporting.
Tristin McCollum – Zyon McCollum’s Identical Twin Brother
Tristin McCollum is Zyon McCollum’s identical twin brother and an NFL safety for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Both brothers were born on May 3, 1999, and grew up in Texas.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, their childhood included several years in Lewisville, a suburb of Dallas, before the family settled in Galveston.
They began developing their football abilities through local youth programs.
During their early football experiences, Tristin played quarterback while Zyon lined up as a receiver.
The brothers developed an effective partnership, with Tristin regularly throwing passes to Zyon.
As they grew older, they transitioned into defensive positions.
At Ball High School in Galveston, Zyon played cornerback while Tristin played safety.
Both eventually attracted college recruiting interest.
Why Zyon and Tristin Chose the Same College
One of the most interesting aspects of the brothers’ relationship is their decision to continue playing football together after high school.
Initially, both committed to the University of Utah.
However, according to Zyon’s September 2023 interview with Go Long, a difference in the university’s proposed enrollment arrangements created uncertainty about whether both brothers could join the program at the same time.
Instead, they chose Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
The university offered both twins an opportunity to play and develop together.
Zyon became a cornerback, while Tristin continued playing safety.
The brothers remained teammates from 2017 through 2021.
They helped Sam Houston win the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision national championship for the 2020 season, which concluded in spring 2021.
Both eventually earned recognition for their defensive performances and prepared to enter the 2022 NFL Draft.
Are Zyon and Tristin McCollum on the Same NFL Team?
No. As of now, Zyon McCollum plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Tristin McCollum plays for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Buccaneers selected Zyon in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 157th overall pick.
Tristin went undrafted but signed with the Houston Texans shortly afterward.
He subsequently joined the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming a contributor on defense and special teams.
The twins faced each other during Tampa Bay’s playoff victory over Philadelphia in January 2024.
Tristin was also part of the Eagles team that won Super Bowl LIX in February 2025.
He joined the Las Vegas Raiders in August 2025 and remained with the organization for the 2026 season.
Despite playing for different teams, the brothers have continued supporting each other’s professional development.
During a September 2024 Buccaneers interview, Zyon revealed that he and Tristin had practiced tackling together without pads during the offseason to improve their defensive techniques.
Their willingness to train together demonstrates how their competitive relationship continues to influence their professional careers.
Zyon McCollum’s Grandparents and Family Background
Zyon McCollum also comes from a family with strong connections to education.
According to a 2022 Pro Football Network feature, his grandparents include Teena Gauthier and Travis McCollum, both of whom have backgrounds in education.
Their professional experiences contributed to the family’s longstanding emphasis on learning and personal development.
His mother, Tisha, continued that tradition through her work as an English teacher.
Education also influenced the choices made by Zyon and his brother during college.
Both pursued demanding academic coursework while competing as college football players.
The family’s interest in education later became part of Zyon and Acacia’s charitable work supporting teachers and children.
Zyon McCollum’s Childhood and Early Football Career
Zyon McCollum grew up in Texas and attended Ball High School in Galveston.
He participated in multiple sports during childhood, including baseball, basketball, tennis, swimming, and track and field.
Although his father had enjoyed a professional basketball career, Zyon eventually focused on football.
At Ball High School, he developed into an accomplished defensive back and became one of the team’s leaders.
His speed, athleticism, and ability to cover opposing receivers attracted the attention of college football recruiters.
After graduating, he joined Sam Houston State University alongside his twin brother.
During his five seasons with the Bearkats, McCollum appeared in 56 games and made 52 starts.
According to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ official biography, he recorded 13 interceptions, 54 passes defended, and six forced fumbles during his college career.
He also earned multiple All-Southland Conference honors and first-team All-WAC recognition during his final season.
His performances established him as a promising NFL prospect.
Zyon McCollum’s NFL Career and Family Support
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Zyon McCollum in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He joined the organization as a young cornerback with impressive athletic potential.
During his rookie season, he contributed primarily on special teams and in a rotational defensive role.
His responsibilities gradually increased during the following seasons.
In 2024, McCollum became a regular starting cornerback and finished the season with 17 passes defended and two interceptions.
His performances established him as an important member of Tampa Bay’s secondary.
In September 2025, the Buccaneers agreed to a three-year contract extension with McCollum, reportedly worth $48 million.
The agreement reflected the team’s confidence in his development as a defensive player.
Throughout his professional journey, his family has remained important.
His mother and twin brother have continued supporting his career, while his wife, Acacia, has worked with him to create a meaningful presence in the Tampa Bay community.
As of now, McCollum continues playing for the Buccaneers while maintaining close family relationships and supporting educational initiatives through his charitable foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zyon McCollum’s Family
Who is Zyon McCollum’s wife?
Zyon McCollum’s wife is Acacia McCollum, formerly Acacia Shepardson. She played college soccer at Sam Houston State University, and the couple married on March 23, 2024.
Who is Zyon McCollum’s girlfriend?
Zyon McCollum is married to Acacia McCollum, who was his longtime girlfriend before their engagement in July 2022 and marriage in March 2024.
When did Zyon McCollum get married?
Zyon McCollum married Acacia Shepardson on March 23, 2024, in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Does Zyon McCollum have children?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Zyon McCollum has children with his wife, Acacia.
Who is Zyon McCollum’s mother?
Zyon McCollum’s mother is Tisha McCollum, a high school English teacher who raised Zyon and his identical twin brother, Tristin, in Texas.
Who is Zyon McCollum’s father?
Zyon McCollum’s father is Cory Carr, a former Texas Tech basketball player who was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 NBA Draft.
Does Zyon McCollum have a twin brother?
Yes. Zyon McCollum has an identical twin brother named Tristin McCollum, who also plays professional football in the NFL.
What NFL team does Zyon McCollum’s brother play for?
As of now, Tristin McCollum plays as a safety for the Las Vegas Raiders. He previously represented the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles.
Who are Zyon McCollum’s grandparents?
Teena Gauthier and Travis McCollum have been identified as Zyon’s grandparents in Pro Football Network reporting. Both have backgrounds in education.
Where is Zyon McCollum from?
Zyon McCollum grew up in Texas, spending part of his childhood in the Dallas area before attending Ball High School in Galveston.
How old is Zyon McCollum?
Zyon McCollum was born on May 3, 1999. He is 27 years old.
What is Zyon McCollum’s charitable foundation?
Zyon and his wife Acacia founded A to Z, A McCollum Foundation, which supports children, educators, and families through charitable events and community development programs.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
