Grey Zabel looks to be the next NFL Draft pick from North Dakota State.
The Bison have had 12 players drafted since 2014, including five offensive linemen. Billy Turner was selected in the third round in 2014, Joe Haeg was a fifth-rounder in 2016, Dillon Radunz got picked in the 2021 second round, Cordell Volson in the 2022 fourth round, and Cody Mauch heard his name called in the 2023 second round.
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What Team Drafted Grey Zabel?
Grey Zabel was drafted by Seattle in the 1st round with the 18th overall pick.
Grey Zabel NFL Draft Projection
Grey Zabel is projected to be selected in the first or second round of the 2025 NFL Draft via Draft Scout’s database.
He is ranked the No. 37 overall prospect and the No. 1 center.
Grey Zabel NFL Draft Profile
Zabel’s versatility makes him a valuable asset for an NFL team.
He has the ability to play all five positions, but projects best on the interior in the NFL. At NDSU, Zabel started games at left guard and right tackle in 2022, left guard and right tackle in 2023, and started all 16 games at left tackle in 2024 as NDSU won the FCS national championship. He took snaps at center during the Senior Bowl.
Zabel is a smooth athlete with good upper- and lower-body power. He has the needed NFL frame and athleticism to thrive in the league, and he comes from an NDSU system that has translated well to the NFL.
NDSU head coach Tim Polasek told the FCS Football Talk podcast: “He translates great [to the NFL]. His adjustability when he’s pulling and his athleticism to be a puller in the screen game, to adjust off another offensive lineman, to make athletic adjustments in space is as good as I’ve been around. He’s a natural mover in pass-pro. And when I say that, we shouldn’t take that lightly. Anytime you’re watching, and these old linemen have these big, drastic movements where they’re kick sliding. Grey can kind of slide his feet back there. His cleats are always on the ground and his knees are always bent. So those are attributes that are hard to develop. Grey’s hands will continue to get better. And then his eagerness, I’ve already talked to four or five NFL coaches, his eagerness to jump in there and take reps at the Senior Bowl. And he wins the practice player of the week.”
“But man, he was going in there at center, at tackle, at guard, and just never passed up an opportunity to showcase his skills and want to get better and to compete. Those things are really important. I think it will be critical for Grey to show up on his pro day in that 310 to 315 range so they’re comfortable knowing he can be a 320-pounder. But I really think he’s a five-tool, five-position guy … His willingness to compete, football IQ, that’s pretty much off the charts. I would put him in a similar category to Tyler Linderbaum as far as football IQ and what calls mean and his ability to articulate it to the scouts and to the coaches is going to separate him. Very good head on his shoulders … I think he really embraced a lot of our protection adjustments that we made this year and his understanding of rotation and how rotation affects the calls. His football IQ is really high. And then you saw his athleticism at the combine.”
Grey Zabel Stats & Highlights
Zabel was a multi-year starter at NDSU. He started at left guard and right tackle in 2022, left guard and right tackle in 2023, and then started all 16 games at left tackle in 2024, helping the Bison to another FCS national championship.
His 90.4 overall PFF grade ranked No. 2 among FCS offensive tackles last season. Zabel had the No. 1 pass-blocking grade (93.1) and the No. 3 run-blocking grade 86.4.
Zabel earned 2024 All-MVFC First Team honors and was a six-time All-American selection.
Grey Zabel Height & Weight
Grey Zabel measured in at 6-foot-6 and weighed 312 pounds at the NFL Combine.
Grey Zabel NFL Combine Results
Zabel participated in three events at the NFL Combine.
His vertical jump was 36.5’’ (1st among offensive linemen at the combine), his broad jump was 9’3’’ (6th), and Zabel did 26 reps on the bench press (7th).
Where Is Grey Zabel From?
Grey Zabel’s hometown is Pierre, S.D.
He played football at T.F. Riggs High School before beginning his collegiate career at NDSU in 2020.
Grey Zabel High School Recruiting Ranking
Zabel was a 0-star recruit in the high school class of 2020, per 247Sports.
