Grey Zabel OT North Dakota State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Grey Zabel OT North Dakota State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/12/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.30 seconds (42%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |
| Last Updated: 02/12/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.30 seconds (42%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 87.2 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
65% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
|
100% |
| Run Blocking: |
|
97% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Late
Overall Rank:
#32
Position rank:
#5
|
||
| College Games: 57 College Snaps: 2574 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Darian Kinnard - Kentucky |
|
84% |
| Liam Eichenberg - Notre Dame |
|
79% |
| Cody Mauch - North Dakota State |
|
77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born in Pierre, South Dakota on March 30, 2002, Grey Zabel's journey from an unheralded 240-pound high school lineman to a dominant FCS force epitomizes the gritty determination that defines his playing style. The two-time FCS national champion transformed his frame to 305 pounds while maintaining the athleticism that made him a three-sport athlete at T.F. Riggs High School. His versatility shined at North Dakota State where he accumulated 41 starts across four different positions on the offensive line.Zabel's senior season in 2024 proved to be his masterpiece, earning First Team All-America honors while anchoring an offensive line that led the FCS in first downs and team passing efficiency. His protection helped quarterback Cam Miller set school records for completions and passing yards, while also paving the way for freshman sensation CharMar Brown to lead all FCS freshmen in rushing. The former unranked recruit started the final 36 consecutive games of his career, demonstrating remarkable durability and consistent improvement.
His collegiate career culminated with a second national championship in 2024, but Zabel's impact extended beyond the trophy case. He earned multiple Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week honors and maintained academic excellence, graduating with a major in agribusiness and minors in economics and precision agriculture. His development from a multi-sport high school athlete to an elite FCS offensive lineman showcases the cerebral approach and work ethic that defines his game.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Displays exceptional leverage despite 6'6" frame, consistently winning the pad level battle and creating displacement in the run game with powerful hip drive
- Natural combo blocker who excels at timing releases to the second level, showing urgent footwork and proper angles to wall off linebackers
- Brings a heavyweight fighter's mentality to pass protection, anchoring with a stiff punch and showing impressive recovery skills against counter moves
- Elite processing speed allows him to pick up stunts and blitzes seamlessly, rarely looking confused by defensive movement or exotic looks
- Possesses vice-grip hand strength when locked onto defenders, showing the ability to control and redirect once engaged in both run and pass sets
- Demonstrates excellent finishing instincts, consistently driving defenders into the turf and playing through the echo of the whistle
- Position versatility is a major plus, having started games at four different spots while maintaining high-level performance regardless of alignment
- Shows impressive mobility pulling and reaching landmarks in space, maintaining balance and control when engaging targets on the move
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Below-average arm length creates issues maintaining first meaningful contact, occasionally forcing him to lunge and compromise his base
- Can get caught setting too narrow in pass protection, leading to balance issues when defenders convert speed to power
- Hand placement becomes erratic under pressure, particularly against speed rushers, resulting in grabbing outside the frame and penalty concerns
- Occasionally plays too high through contact despite good natural leverage, allowing defenders to get under his pads and reset the line of scrimmage
- May struggle initially with pure edge speed at tackle in the NFL, suggesting a potential move inside could maximize his skill set
Scouting Report: Summary
Zabel's calling card jumps off the screen - he's a technician who brings controlled violence to every snap. The footwork, hip drive, and natural leverage he displays in North Dakota State's diverse run scheme will translate immediately to the NFL's interior. When I watch him combo block and climb to the second level, I see shades of Zack Martin's early Notre Dame tape - not as explosive, but the same understanding of angles and timing.While he shows the skill set to play tackle, he may be better served moving inside where his natural leverage and mauling mentality could really shine. What excites me most is how he processes everything in real-time. Watch the Northern Iowa game - they threw every stunt and blitz package imaginable at him, and he didn't just survive, he dominated. That mental acuity combined with his natural power and leverage makes him a plug-and-play guard who could also backup center with some development.
The fit is crystal clear - put him in a zone-heavy system where he can combo block and get on the move. The Vikings would be an ideal landing spot in round two - their inside zone scheme perfectly matches his skill set, and they desperately need interior help. His technique is already refined enough to compete for a starting guard spot as a rookie, but his ceiling as a potential Pro Bowl-caliber interior lineman will emerge by year three once he adds another 10-15 pounds of functional mass to his frame.
Grey Zabel percentiles vs other Offensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Grey Zabel (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
44.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
9.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.