tomdalton22
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2011
- Messages
- 25,301
Most prospects don't train for the season by tackling trees, but Zettel isn't "most prospects" as a free spirit. He played inside and outside during a 2014 first-team All-Big Ten season in 2014 (17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions), but wasn't able to quite create as much havoc when moved primarily inside as a senior (47 tackles, 11 for loss, four sacks, six pass breakups). He was a third team all-conference pick by league coaches and media as a senior, and will be valued for his toughness in the middle rounds of the draft.
PRO DAY RESULTS
Broad jump: 9 feet, 4 inches
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Relentless motor. Doesn?t give offensive lineman a snap off with a lazy rep. Credited by Penn State with 38 tackles for loss over his career. Urgency ratchets up even higher when he smells a play is there to be made. Reads quarterback's eyes and steadies himself to time a leap into passing lane. Had six passes defended in 2015. Has decent lateral footwork and a functional spin move that can open opportunities for him.
WEAKNESSES Undersized interior lineman. Missing the necessary sand in his pants to take on double teams or down blocks without being pushed out of the gap. Gets mauled by power. Will struggle to leverage his gap with strength in the pros. May not have a natural position fit. Has short arms and can be controlled by length of tackles when playing outside.
DRAFT PROJECTION Round 7 or priority free agent
NFL COMPARISON Luis Trinca-*Pasat
BOTTOM LINE Maximum effort defensive lineman who doesn?t have optimal length to play at a defensive end spot or the size to play inside. Zettel has some talent and a great motor which is why he's been as productive as he has over the last two seasons, but his traits and skill set may not translate into a lengthy NFL career.
PRO DAY RESULTS
Broad jump: 9 feet, 4 inches
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Relentless motor. Doesn?t give offensive lineman a snap off with a lazy rep. Credited by Penn State with 38 tackles for loss over his career. Urgency ratchets up even higher when he smells a play is there to be made. Reads quarterback's eyes and steadies himself to time a leap into passing lane. Had six passes defended in 2015. Has decent lateral footwork and a functional spin move that can open opportunities for him.
WEAKNESSES Undersized interior lineman. Missing the necessary sand in his pants to take on double teams or down blocks without being pushed out of the gap. Gets mauled by power. Will struggle to leverage his gap with strength in the pros. May not have a natural position fit. Has short arms and can be controlled by length of tackles when playing outside.
DRAFT PROJECTION Round 7 or priority free agent
NFL COMPARISON Luis Trinca-*Pasat
BOTTOM LINE Maximum effort defensive lineman who doesn?t have optimal length to play at a defensive end spot or the size to play inside. Zettel has some talent and a great motor which is why he's been as productive as he has over the last two seasons, but his traits and skill set may not translate into a lengthy NFL career.
