Interview: Colleges are Sleeping on 2018 American Heritage OC Zack Zambrano for Now

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Guys like Zack Zambrano make scouting football players at the high school level very-very easy. Does he pass the eyeball test – check. Does he have talent – check. Does he have upside or potential – check. Does he play against top talent – check. Does he have the grades – another check. All that is left are the offers from Division-I programs.

Zambrano is set to explode onto the college football recruiting scene as the starting center for American Heritage High School. The Plantation (FL) squad is off to a hot start at 2-0 after beating two defending state champs. The Patriots downed Georgia’s Colquitt County 17-14 on the road in their opener, an ESPN national broadcast, and followed that up with a 21-0 dismantling of New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep. Now that Heritage is ranked as the No. 2 team in the nation, even more recruiting attention is sure to come from college scouts.

Through the first two big wins of the season for Heritage, the main man anchoring the line in the middle has been Zambrano. Zambrano tips the scales coming in at 6-3.5, 290 pounds. His playing ability has never been in question earning varsity playing time for one of the top programs in the nation as a freshman. Zambrano was a starter for Heritage during his sophomore season getting the call in the playoffs.

During the off-season college programs got an up close and personal look at the rising Class of 2018 star with Zambrano showcasing his abilities at Mississippi State, LSU, Alabama, Tulane, and Michigan camps. Teams showing interest in the versatile interior lineman also includes Temple, Florida Atlantic, and Miami.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I got insight on Zambrano’s high school career to date and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Zack, when did you get your first taste of Florida varsity experience?

“During my freshman year. Our first game of the season was on ESPN, I got to play at the end of the game. By the third week I was up at the varsity level for good after our starting left guard went out with an injury. The backup went in and then I became the second string guy. After that, I stayed up at the varsity level.”

What was your freshman season like playing for Heritage?

“It was an eye opener and a great learning experience. I’m glad I did it. I was timid and unsure of myself at first. The guys on the line showed me how I needed to play and workout and what I needed to do to start at the varsity level. Going up against our D-line talent prepared me for what I would face later on at the varsity level.”

When did you get your first start at the varsity level?

“As a freshman actually. I became the starting long snapper. My sophomore year my first start on the offensive line was against Fort Pierce.”

You have a lot of experience going up against top talent either in games or in practice. At this point in your high school career what are some of the things you do well as a lineman?

“I’d say I am really strong in pass block. My dad played center, which helps, and our offensive line coach helps me out a lot. I’ve been working on my run game blocking, especially at center. I’ve made the adjustment from guard and I have improved a lot.”

What have you done in the off-season or in practice to improve your run blocking?

“In the weight room, I’ve been doing more explosive exercises. With my coaches, I’ve been working on staying low and staying low in the chute. I’ve worked to make sure my steps are right, that kind of thing.”

What personal or team goals have you set for yourself during your junior season?

“I’m trying to be more vocal and more of a leader on the line. I work every day to refine my blocking. I want to go from good to great. I’m working on not taking plays off in practice. I’m getting extra work in after practice. My biggest goal is to win another state championship.”

How has your season gone so far on the field?

“I’d say each game I have gotten a little bit better. Against Booker T. Washington (scrimmage), I think we were expecting something different. Once we saw what happened we stepped it up. I made better calls and became more vocal after that.”

Did you max out over the summer in any of the football lifts?

“I did on bench. My bench was 385. We did not max out on squat or deadlifts. We usually do that during our first bye week of the season.”

What are you aiming to squat when you max out next?

“I don’t have a set number I’m trying to get but I’d like to be around 500 pounds. I think I can break that.”

Did you run a 40-yard dash this summer?

“The best one I ran was a 5.33. At the (Nike) Opening I ran a 5.4.”

Impressive numbers. Which college camps did you go to this summer?

“I went to Mississippi State, Alabama, LSU, and Tulane camps. Two weeks later, with my teammates, I went to a Michigan camp.”

Which camp did you turn in your best performance?

“I’d say my best was at LSU.”

What did you do to standout out at the LSU camp?

“I played center, guard, and tackle. I’m not sure how many reps I did, I think I did 15 or 16. I maybe only got beat twice. I showed my versatility as a lineman and won reps at all three positions.”

From all the camps you attended, is there anything that you learned that you have taken with you into your junior season?

“One of the things at Mississippi State I liked was their “shock and awe” technique with your punch. You don’t have to reset your hands but you just keep them out there and locked on. I’ve picked up a couple of drills for staying low.”

Other than the schools you visited for camps, which programs are showing interest in you right now?

“Temple, Michigan, FAU, and Miami.”

Do you have any visits planned coming up?

“Not as of right now. I went to Miami’s game on Saturday (Hurricanes won 70-3 against Florida A&M).”

How did that visit go?

“It was nice. The game was a blowout. It was a good game to see. By the end of the third quarter I think it was 70-3. I did not get to see the coaches this time but I got to watch the football game and ate at halftime.”

How many times have you been to Miami so far?

“I have taken three (unofficial) visits there already between camps and a Junior Day.”

How did your sophomore season end up in the classroom?

“I had a 4.5 GPA.”

Have you taken the SAT or ACT yet?

“No. I’m taking the SAT in April.”

I’ll get you out of here on two last interesting questions. Who are some of the better opposing players you have lined up against on the field?

“This year, against Booker T. Washington, Robert Hicks (MLB/DE), was pretty good. Against Don Bosco, No. 7 Marcus Valdez, he was a solid player too. Colquitt’s line was undersized. They did not have a lot of big guys up front. Bosco was a lot bigger than Colquitt.”

I know you are excited play all of the games on the schedule but is there at least one you are a little more excited to play than the others?

“This week’s game against Northwestern (Miami) will be a big game. I am excited for the whole season. I just want to be a contributing factor on the team’s success this year. My freshman year I contributed but I was not a big factor. I’m excited for a full season on the field and to win a state championship.”

Zack, good luck with Northwestern and the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Zambrano family; No. 50 Zack Zambrano (left) with No. 77 Tedarrell Slaton Jr.

Photo credit: Zambrano family; Zack Zambrano (left) with No. 99 Nesta Silvera, No. 77 Tedarrell Slaton Jr., and No. 57 Kai-Leon Herbert (right).

Photo credit: Zambrano family; No. 50 Zack Zambrano (right) with No. 57 Kai-Leon Herbert.