SDSU tailback Zenner making success look easy

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — Zach Zenner isn't as complete as advertised. Can't be. That's the contrarian angle some NFL scouts quietly have chased during visits to Brookings.

This is where things stand after four seasons of outstanding production on the field combined with extensive tales of off-field efforts: Professional talent evaluators feel compelled to be next-level skeptical of the South Dakota State running back if only because he's not the norm. He's a well-rounded star in the era of the anti-hero athlete.

The fifth-year senior is fourth in FCS history for career rushing yards at 6,163. He's a biology/pre-medicine major with a 3.87 GPA and early acceptance into medical school. He's researched colon cancer and volunteered internationally. He testified before the state Legislature in support of a new stadium and has picked up piano lessons. Why? Doesn't every All-American ball carrier want to learn how to play movie scores?

Sure, the 6-foot, 220-pounder is athletic and smart. But so are many others. The thing that sets apart Zenner, according to those close to him, is discipline and precision, the Argus Leader reported (http://argusne.ws/1yqgnY1 ). He does the right thing all the time.

Zenner is a once-in-a-generation student-athlete, and he makes it look easy, almost clinical.

"We've been blessed with many, many guys that you'd say are the picture of a student-athlete - and I mean that," said his head coach John Stiegelmeier, whose program regularly leads the Missouri Valley Football Conference in academic distinctions. "And Zach's a notch above, a different level."

Zenner is in the stretch run of a storied college career: the second player in FCS history to rush for 2,000 yards in separate seasons; 30 times topping the 100 mark in a game; more than 1,300 yards ahead of anybody else in Valley history.

"That was his one dream in high school - to play at the college level, and everything else has been just amazing," said his father, Paul Zenner.

There's room to grow, too, as No. 14-ranked SDSU (8-4) has qualified for the FCS playoffs for the third year in a row, opening the 24-team tournament Saturday at No. 17 Montana State (8-4). This is the best postseason stretch in Jacks history - they totaled two playoff berths before this - and Zenner has been the driving force, the most consistent performer in a decorated senior class that has totaled a school-record 31 wins.

He's been the primary focus of practically every defensive scheme for the past three years. Zenner commanded that attention by rushing for 183 yards at Kansas to start his sophomore year. That included a 99-yard score, the former prep centerfielder answering questions about his speed by running away from a Big 12 secondary. He also reached triple digits at Missouri and Nebraska.

He's been the difference for SDSU in several games over the years, the player that separated two evenly matched sides. He's never missed a college game, while totaling 987 touches during the past three seasons.

"I hate when people say, 'Well, he's a freak' or 'He's superhuman.' That's a discredit to his work ethic, to his effort," Jacks strength and condition director Nate Moe said.

That work ethic isn't exclusive to athletics. In March, Zenner went to Jamaica to do mission work and build homes. He's a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This week, even as the Jacks are prepping for the playoffs, he's helping line up holiday donations for a local family.

Zenner is in the running for three national awards for his combination of skill, smarts and service. He's a candidate for the Walter Payton Award (the best player in the FCS) and the William V. Campbell Trophy (the academic Heisman) and already has been named to the AFCA Good Works Team.

Zenner credits his parents and his faith. He didn't create this path; he's merely following it. The next stop might be the NFL - he hopes it will be. Every team has sent at least one rep to Brookings this fall, and most have sent more.

"He makes it look easy," Jacks athletic director Justin Sell said. "If all of us could figure out that essence, it would be really hard to measure greatness because it would even it all out."

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Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com