Good still exists in football.
With recent scandals engulfing the league in turmoil, fans struggle with their allegiance. No one wants to be seen supporting a league of abusers, lest they be cast as one of those involved. News commentators turned NFL-bashing into a sport, with the most ridiculous phrase hurting the league’s credibility the most.
But the good still exists in football. It just happens to exist in places like Brookings, South Dakota, a town of nearly 22,000 next to the Minnesota border. The South Dakota State Jackrabbits play here, an FCS school with two recent playoff appearances to their name.
The Jackrabbits also have the best running back outside of FBS, a 6’0” 220-pound beast named Zach Zenner. Zenner had back-to-back 2000 yard seasons during his sophomore and junior years. He became a finalist for the Walter Payton award, the season-ending trophy acknowledging the best player in FCS football. He also became a two-time All-American, receiving first-team nominations in both seasons.
Far from a one-dimensional runner, Zenner demoralizes the defense through different methods. He can burst through gaps for huge gains, like his 99-yard touchdown against Kansas where two safeties could only watch the wake. He slammed into the line against Southern Illinois, grinding out 112 yards on 31 carries. He’s even gathered 570 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in his time at SDSU.
Off the field, Zenner adds even more versatility.
According to the Hammer-Strength All-American athlete award, Zenner carries a 3.85 degree in pre-medicine. Sam Gardner of Fox Sports reported that Zenner had already received acceptance into medical school. For Zenner, the academic success simply fulfilled what he already knew.
“I got recruited to come out here,” said Zenner in a phone call Thurday, “saw what a great place it was; a great place to get an education and play football.”
“I got recruited to come out here,” said Zenner in a phone call Thurday, “saw what a great place it was; a great place to get an education and play football.”
The education portion certainly stands as a hallmark for the Jackrabbits. The school regularly places in the upper echelon of the Missouri Valley conference for team GPA. It also benefits from a head coach willing to schedule practice around players’ classes.
“He did move Thursday’s practice back this year for a group of guys that got a lab,” confirmed Zenner.
Yes, sports fans. Academics really do come before athletics at South Dakota State.
The Jackrabbits also advocate within the community. For the last two years, the school has won the Summit League’s Food Fight, a competition designed to see which school can donate the most food and raise the most money for a local food pantry. In addition, the school-run mission trip for student-athletes to Harmons, Jamaica celebrates its fifth anniversary this year.
Of course, Zenner participates in community service. Then again, since Zenner just received a nomination to the Allstate Good Works Team for his community service efforts, his participation appears to be head and shoulders over the norm.
Now, some will recognize by word 500 that Zenner shouldn’t have enough time to be successful in so many different fields. To a normal college student, or a normal student-athlete, it may seem impossible. But Zach has mastered the very difficult of “time-management,” stating he plans activities out to make sure he can keep his grades up and he can contribute to service projects.
“Maybe get a little down time if I work hard enough,” said Zenner without a hint of irony.
Unfortunately, the downtime for Zenner fans will happen after this season. Zach, a senior, graduates to pursue either an NFL career or a potential path through medicine. But Jackrabbit fans won’t totally lose Zenner, as his younger brother committed to playing football at SDSU this season.
After all, the good in football can’t stray too far from Brookings, South Dakota.
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