The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FEBRUARY 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 29 with him. He and Sarah Harbaugh left as soon as it happened and met me up there at the hospital, which was awesome." Zinter was able to get out of the hospi- tal and make the trip to Indianapolis for Michigan's Big Ten title tilt against Iowa. Most believed that the Wolverines would win, setting up a face- to-face showdown with Harbaugh and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, who was at the forefront of the coach's suspension. After Michigan captured a 26-0 vic- tory over the Hawkeyes, Harbaugh told Petitti to award the Big Ten title trophy to Zinter first. He could have made the moment about their issues with each other, but instead chose his injured cap- tain to be in the spotlight to kick off the celebration. "It was only a week after surgery, and it was a rough trip," Zinter said. "It wasn't the easiest thing, getting on a plane and traveling with the team. I wouldn't have missed it for the world, though. The night before, Coach had said they were dedicating the game to me. "Crutching my way up those stairs, being up there on that stage, and then accepting the trophy. I mean, it's the memory of a lifetime and something I'll never forget. It's kind of hard to describe what I was feeling — all the emotions in the world you could think of, I wanted to be out there with the guys, even though, I couldn't. But, just every emotion — excited, happy, sad. All of it was going through my head. But [the celebration was] something super special that I'll never forget. I thank Coach Harbaugh and the guys for letting me do that." Zinter could have returned for a fifth season at Michigan but elected to de- clare for the 2024 NFL Draft three days after U-M's title win. His mind was set on the league long before the injury, and now he has the chance to realize his pro dreams. "You always hear the NFL stands for 'not for long' and all that kind of stuff, but I do love this team, and love being around here," he said. "I wouldn't have traded this year for anything. You come back, you improve your draft stock and you get to have another year with the guys. "And, it's not like no one wants to be here. We love being here. My advice is if you're debating coming back, and if you think you have a shot to come back and improve your draft stock, I say do it 100 percent." Zinter's legacy at Michigan is set after earning unanimous All-America honors this fall, but Michi- gan's team success puts the stamp on how this era is ulti- mately remembered. "I want to be remembered as a cap- tain of a Michigan football team that won a national championship," Zinter said ahead of the CFP. "I've done everything physically I can to this point to help the team get here. I want to be someone who helped this team and helped Michigan get back on that podium and restore the legacy that Michigan's always had of be- ing a big-time contender … winning na- tional championships and just bringing that legacy back to Michigan." In his Jan. 11 social media post an- nouncing his intention to head to the NFL, Zinter had this to say about his teammates on Team 144: "What makes this team so special is the culture we have all built together. What we have created over the last four years here is LEGENDARY. We've made history together and always had each other's backs. I am extremely thankful for every single one of my brothers on this team. We've pushed each other at every level, dealt with adversity and hon- ored the standard of Michigan football." Even injured, the mission was ac- complished, and Zinter's legacy was ce- mented. ❏ Ready For The Show Following surgery the same day as his injury (Nov. 25), Michigan captain and starting right guard Zak Zinter has made rapid strides in his recovery. He was walking on the field without crutches at both the Rose Bowl Jan. 1 and national champion- ship game Jan. 8. He said he hopes to be healthy enough to participate in the NFL Draft preparation process. According to ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Zinter is the No. 2 offensive guard prospect for the draft, behind only Washington's Troy Fautanu. The 6-foot-6, 322-pounder was named a unani- mous All-American, earning first-team honors from all five major designators — the Walter Camp Foot- ball Foundation, Football Writers Association of America, Associated Press, Sporting News and the American Football Coaches Association. Zinter is Michigan's first unanimous first-team All-American on the offensive line since left tackle Jake Long in 2007. Those two are the only Wol- verine offensive linemen to accomplish the feat since Steve Hutchinson, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, in 2000. The North Andover, Mass., product is Michigan's 26th-ever unanimous All-American and the fourth under head coach Jim Harbaugh, joining senior running back Blake Corum (2022), Aidan Hutchin- son (2021) and Jabrill Peppers (2016). Zinter appeared in 45 games with 42 starts along the offensive line, 41 of which came at right guard. Zinter's 76.6 overall PFF grade ranked 16th in the country among guards with at least 330 offensive snaps. He was tied for 18th (75.8) in run blocking and 94th in pass protection (73.8). He also helped the Wolverines win the Joe Moore Award for the nation's top offensive line in 2021 and '22. The Maize and Blue were named semifinalists for the honor this season but were not among the four finalists. However, the Wolverines beat Joe Moore Award winner Washington in the national championship game. A four-star recruit, Zinter was the No. 294 overall player in the 2020 recruiting class per the On3 Industry Ranking. — Clayton Sayfie ❱ Zinter "I want to be remembered as a captain of a Michigan football team that won a national championship." Zinter became Michigan's first unanimous first-team All-American on the offensive line since left tackle Jake Long in 2007. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN