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| Orlando Sentinel |
FB, Georgia Tech
Rankings
NFLDraftScout: #317 player overall, #8 fullback. 7th round-free agent grade.
Nawrocki: Not ranked; Nawrocki's draft preview listed 14 fullbacks.
Kiper: Not in Kiper's top 300, which listed only 3 fullbacks.
Draft Countdown: Not ranked; 9 fullbacks listed.
Sports Illustrated: Not in top 300; 3 fullbacks listed.
Scouts Inc: Not ranked; Scouts Inc. graded 15 fullbacks, including players from Army, Fordham and Georgetown. Georgetown, Kentucky.
Biography/Honors
2014: Second-team all-ACC. Played in 11 games, starting 7. 171 rushes for 851 yards (5.0 ypc) and 9 TDs, 6 receptions for 49 yards (8.2 ypc) and a TD. Ran for 140 yards and 3 TDs against Georgia, had 29 carries for 133 in win over Miami.
2013: Played in all 13 games. 84 rushes for 485 yards (5.8 ypc) and 7 TDs, 3 receptions for 54 yards (18.0 ypc) and a TD. Ran for 133 and 2 TDs against Virginia and scored 3 TDs against Syracuse.
2012: Played in all 14 games, starting 6. 133 rushes for 697 yards (5.2 ypc) and a TD, 6 receptions for 122 yards (20.3 ypc) and 2 TDs. Only had one carry that lost yardage. Two 100-yard games.
2011: Played in 8 games on special teams. Averaged 8.5 yards on 11 punt returns and had 8 tackles.
Academics: Earned bachelor's degree in history, technology and society.
Twitter: @theZLazer37
Medical
2014: Missed three games due to a shoulder injury (separated AC joint).
Pro Day Stats
(Not invited to NFL Combine. Times in parentheses reflect all RBs at the Combine, not just fullbacks)
40-yard dash: 4.50 (Top 5 time. Average was 4.64)
10-yard split: 1.59
Vertical: 35" (35")
Broad: 10'4" (Top 5. Average was 9'9")
3-cone: 6.85 (Top 5. Average was 7.13)
Shuttle: 4.17 (4.25)
Bench: 19 (19)
Scouting Report
Pluses: Smart, tough, "outstanding blocker" according to Jeff Fisher. Very athletic for his size; his pro day numbers compare well to the Combine numbers of smaller backs. Downhill runner, quick to the hole. Rarely stopped for a loss. Quick and physical enough to be a solid lead blocker, but also has versatility to his game. Can contribute on special teams, credible as a receiver and even as an edge runner. Team player. Patriots and Titans among other interested teams.
Minuses: Runs far too upright, does not get behind his pads at all. Gets no leverage and doesn't make good use of his size. Doesn't break many tackles. Has to learn to play with lower pad level. Questionable effort on plays away from his area. Needs to add 10-15 lbs.
Compares to: Zach Line
Fun Facts
May 2nd was a big day for Zach; he both got his diploma from Georgia Tech and got the call from the Rams. In fact, he got the call from the Rams during his graduation ceremony. Keeping a tradition from high school, he collects "holy" water from a creek that runs behind his high school and sprinkles some in the end zone before games for good luck.
RamView
I like the Rams' thinking in signing Zach to play fullback. With his good quickness and recognition, the back who was rarely tackled for a loss in college profiles as an ideal lead blocker who could regularly spring the Rams' tailbacks. Zach's not a player I'd expect to miss many blocks, and he has enough versatility that he wouldn't tie up a roster spot as a one-skill player. I would hope the Rams see the potential to use him in a hammer back role. If he first stands out as a blocker, then flashes on special teams or as a receiver, suddenly there's heat on Justice Cunningham and Alex Bayer for those TE4/TE5 roster spots. One of those could easily be re-purposed for a pure fullback. (Or the supplemental draft pick the Rams are going to have to protect all season.) Zach's got an uphill road, but you can see a path to the roster for him.
Chance of making team: 30%.
Sources: Georgia Tech athletics, Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, Fox Sports, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, SBNation, Fansided.com, Albany (Ga.) Herald
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