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Anthony Zettel, DT
School: Penn State | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 277 lbs
Draft Status
Projected: 4th or 5th Round | Actual: 6th Round (Pick 202) by the Detroit Lions
College Statistics
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Player Overview
Anthony Zettel is the type of player that presents real value in the mid to late rounds. Coaches will not only value his versatility having played DE and DT in Penn State's 4-3 front (and even dropping into coverage sometimes too) but they will love his toughness, tenacity, and work ethic. Zettel played DE in his junior year and put up an impressive statistical season, he was moved inside to DT next to Austin Johnson his senior year and still put up a solid performance. Position and scheme fit will all be questions to evaluators looking at Zettel but he is doing his best to maximize his value. At the combine he participated in both DL and LB drills. Most recently at Penn State's pro day he also worked out at TE.
He's a tough player that has overcome change on the football field and loss in his personal life. Earlier this year Zettel lost his father to cancer on a Friday night, on Saturday afternoon he played on the football field. He finished that game (against San Diego State) with 7 tackles, a fumble recovery, half a sack, and a pass defended.
Recent News
Check out this fun Q&A with 2016 East-West #ShrineGame alumnus, Anthony Zettel. https://t.co/tq781UT4A7 @Zettel98
— Shrine Game (@Shrine_Game) July 13, 2016
What would @Zettel98 be doing if he wasn’t playing football? Get to know the rookie DL: https://t.co/pHXxeQjuWt pic.twitter.com/1x4NsxokdP
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 27, 2016
.@BuzzFeed They should be freaking out over @Zettel98's ridiculous water bottle locker room kick. pic.twitter.com/OVIQW0ckcK
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 25, 2016
How He Makes the Lions Better and Creates Problems for the Redskins
Anthony Zettel played defensive tackle while at Penn State. Now with the Lions he’ll have to make his mark at Defensive End. It’s for good reason, the Lions have a mini log jam at Defensive Tackle which includes veterans Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker and young players Caraun Reid and A’shawn Robinson. Zettel is currently behind Ziggy Ansah on the depth chart but could compete for reps on the opposite side. Zettel is a high motor, and seemingly high character guy having made a positive impression on his teammates already. He is unlikely to affect the Redskins much when they face the Lions but if he continues to develop he could see himself as a consistent part of the Lions Defensive Line rotation.