Lions free agent Zenner racked up big yardage in college

Former South Dakota State running back Zach Zenner wasn't selected in last week's NFL draft, but the Lions' undrafted free agent has a background similar to their seven picks.

The 22-year-old Zenner played 52 games with 43 starts in college and was both productive and durable. He wants to be a surgeon one day, just like first-round pick Laken Tomlinson. And he's engaged, which has proven to be a bonus for prospects the last two years with Jim Caldwell as head coach.

"I'm going to be bold enough to say I think he will be the top of the line in terms of character," South Dakota State coach John Stiegelmeier said. "He is the hardest worker I've been around in terms of a student-athlete."

Of course, being a good guy off the field won't help Zenner make the Lions' roster, and like any undrafted player, he faces an uphill battle to make the team. But based on Zenner's performance in college, he might have one of best shots among the team's undrafted rookies.

Zenner was a three-time consensus All-American in the Football Championship Subdivision after becoming the first player in Division I history to run for 2,000 yards three times. His profile at South Dakota State's website includes a two-page release about his career accomplishments, which are pretty impressive for an Eagan, Minnesota, native who chose to play for the Jackrabbits because they were his only Division I offer.

But Zenner did more than feast on lower competition. In 2012, he had 23 carries for 183 yards, four catches for 27 yards and one touchdown against Kansas. In 2013, he had 21 carries for 202 yards, one 21-yard catch and two touchdowns against Nebraska, out-gaining Lions second-round pick Ameer Abdullah. And last year against Missouri, he had 17 carries for 103 yards, seven catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns.

The impressive all-around output, along with his invitation to the 2015 NFL combine made some analysts project Zenner to be a late-round pick. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein and CBS Sports' Dane Brugler both slotted him as a fifth- or sixth-round option, and ESPN projected him as a seventh-rounder.

But on Saturday while he was out fishing on a lake in Minnesota, the 5-foot-11, 223-pound Zenner learned he hadn't been drafted. His agent took offers from other teams, including the San Diego Chargers, but ultimately agreed to him signing with the Lions because the roster composition gives him a chance to make the team.

The Lions drafted Abdullah and still have Joique Bell and Theo Riddick, but to make the team, he'll likely have to beat out fellow undrafted back George Winn (Southfield), who landed with his hometown Lions in his second NFL season.

Like Bell, both Winn and Zenner run with a downhill, one-speed style. But, as with any back-end roster spot, the better special teams player will likely earn the job. Winn proved to be a reliable option on the third phase last year, and even though he has the physical tools to play, Zenner hasn't been on special teams since his freshman year because Stiegelmeier said he was too valuable on offense.

But Zenner's coach said he has the mentality that could make him stick on punt or kickoff units.

"He's a blue-collar guy," Stiegelmeier said. "Everything he's got has been earned."

And that wasn't just on the football field. Stiegelmeier said Zenner wanted to become a doctor after gutting his first deer while hunting with his father.

One of Zenner's favorite past times, according to the coach, was collecting money to buy gifts for the needy during the holidays. And when South Dakota State was making a pitch to the Legislature to have a new stadium, Zenner was the Jackrabbits' top spokesman, Stiegelmeyer said.

But, he also ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the combine, put up 25 reps on the bench press and a 41-inch vertical, which ranked third among running backs

"If he's fast, it's because he made himself fast," Stiegelmeier said. "He's strong because he worked his tail off in the weight room. He's an overachiever type guy. … He has no ego."

jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com

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