Zech McPhearson was born on March 21, 1998, in Baltimore, Maryland. He went to Riverdale Baptist High School. He went to two colleges, Penn State University and Texas Tech University.[3][4] After two seasons with Penn State where he played a combined 9 games, and had 14 tackles, he transferred to Texas Tech. With the Red Raiders, he played and started all 12 games in his junior year. He had 51 tackles (42 solo) with them that year.[5] He also had two blocked kicks. In his senior season, he appeared in all 10 games, starting 9, and had 53 tackles.[5] He had at least two tackles in all 10 games and had four interceptions in the season. He was named First-team All-Big 12 Conference by the conference coaches, Associated Press and the Phil Steele Magazine.[5] He was named third-team All-American by Pro Football Focus and was named First-team All-Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football.[5]
In Week 1 of the 2022 season, McPhearson was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, after he made 2 special teams tackles and recovered a surprise onside kick attempt in a 38–35 win over the Detroit Lions.[14] He is the first Eagle to receive the award since Jake Elliott in 2021.
During a preseason game against Cleveland in 2023, McPhearson suffered a torn Achilles which ended his season. He was waived/injured on August 19, 2023,[15] and placed on injured reserve.
McPhearson was waived by the Eagles on August 27, 2024.[16]
McPhearson's family has a history of playing sports. His father, Gerrick, earned a tryout for the New England Patriots as a defensive back in 1988, and his mother, Kim, played in the National Women's Football League. His older brother Gerrick played for the New York Giants. His older brother Derrick played football at the University of Illinois, then spend some time with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Emmanuel played football at the University of New Mexico. Jeremiah played at IUP. Joshua played football at Penn State. Matthew was a 4th round draft pick out of high school to the Arizona Diamondback organization. His sister Kimberly plays collegiate soccer.[18][19]