The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1212135
2020 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY CHRIS BALAS You hear coaches say it all the time about early enrollees when asked how they're progressing during their first winter and spring workouts: "This guy should be getting ready for the prom." The point being, don't expect too much, too soon from kids who are getting an early start on their college careers by graduating high school early. Some, though, handle it better than others, and it's usually evident early in their careers. Cambridge (Mass.) Buckingham Browne & Nichols School lineman Zak Zinter, a former team captain, two-sport standout and Rivals.com's No. 149 overall prospect in the 2020 class, seems to be one of them. "It's been my dream to play col- lege ball forever, and when I heard about the chance to early enroll here, I jumped right on it," the 6-6, 300-pounder said. "It was a little tough for my mom losing me a few months early, but just having such a big advantage to be able to get here, get started, start learning the play- book, working out with the team, building relationships with the of- fensive linemen and getting a jump start on school, there were just so many benefits I couldn't pass up." It wasn't easy to get himself in that position. Zinter took an online Eng- lish class in summer school and had to take two more in his last semester just to fulfill requirements. He had to cram several other courses into his itinerary, as well, noting afterwards it was: "Chaotic, but worth it." Some early enrollees have high hopes to become impact players in their first years. Zinter, though, un- derstands it's a bit different for of- fensive linemen, especially at a place like Michigan. "I came in early trying to learn the playbook, getting in the weight room and getting after it. I would love to get on the field and play, but realisti- cally, offensive linemen have a lon- ger developmental stage," he noted. "I'd love to get on field and contrib- ute right away, but realistically my goal right now is to make the travel team, get some experience, get in a few games that are blowouts, save my redshirt year and get an extra year of school for free. "I'd like to get experience this first year, then try to get on the field permanently next year." He's off to a great start, offensive line coach Ed Warinner said in early F e b r u a r y. Wa r i n n e r, joining former All- American Jon Jan- s e n ' s p o d c a s t , said they were looking for Early Enrollee Zak Zinter Is Ready For The Journey Zinter "I'd love to get on field and contribute right away, but realistically my goal right now is to make the travel team, get some experience, get in a few games that are blowouts, save my redshirt year and get an extra year of school for free." 56 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2020 ZAK ZINTER OFFENSIVE LINE 6-6 • 300 BUCKINGHAM BROWNE & NICHOLS SCHOOL NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 145 14* 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ 415 18^ 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 14^ 3 * Ranked as an offensive tackle; ^ ranked as an offensive guard HONORS • Selected as the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) All- New England Lineman of the Year and the All-Independent School League (ISL) Lineman of the Year. • Tabbed as a USA Today All-State pick as a junior, and was a Massachu- setts High School Football Coaches Association All-State selection as a junior and a senior. • Named All-NEPSAC as a junior and a senior. • Was a Boston Herald and Boston Globe All-Scholastic athlete in football and track and field. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan on May 16, 2019. • Also had offers from Auburn, Flor- ida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Stanford, among others. • Recruited by defensive coordinator Don Brown and offensive line coach Ed Warinner. R i v a l s . c o m r a n k e d t h e 6 - 6 , 3 0 0 - pound Zinter as a four-star recruit and the nation's No. 145 overall prospect in the class of 2020. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND