By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

Zabel’s life is now about to change next week. The All-American football player has risen up NFL Draft boards and will hear his name called during next week’s NFL Draft. 

It will culminate years of hard work and a whirlwind of the past few months, including performing well at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. He’s also visited a number of NFL franchises during the pre-draft process.

“It’s been surreal, growing up seeing it as a kid on a TV and then finally being able to go out and do it yourself, it’s been unique,” Zabel said. “The relationships that I’ve gained so far the past three months are truly something remarkable. I will have these friendships for the rest of my life.”

Zabel’s journey to a top NFL Draft prospect started the day after NDSU won the national championship, a 35-32 win over Montana State in Frisco, Texas. It was NDSU’s 10th FCS national championship, and springboarded Zabel into the next chapter of his football career. 

“Everything you’ve kind of done the past four-to-five years, to all come to fruition on the biggest stage of FCS football was super surreal and especially to go out with that crew of seniors that we had was a pretty cool experience,” Zabel said.  

He was in California the next day, training for the pre-draft process, and later turned heads at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. 

Zabel was selected as the top practice player at the Reese's Senior Bowl, competing against players from FBS programs. Zabel’s performance piqued the interest of NFL personnel and media members. 

The Zabel buzz cemented his status as a top prospect and proved the Bison could play with the big boys from the FBS. 

“I was just trying to bring my brand of football — the North Dakota State brand of football — down to Mobile, Alabama, to showcase that to all the coaches, scouts and then other players,” Zabel said. “It was a big thing that I kind of put a chip on my shoulder to go achieve.” 

Zabel’s draft stock continued to rise at the NFL Combine, where he had the best vertical jump among all offensive linemen (36 1/2 inches). He also met with several teams and was able to showcase his personality away from football. 

“The combine is just going there and you want to show how athletic you are, be able to talk to coaches, GMs, scouts and just be yourself,” Zabel said. “At the end of the day, don’t try and be somebody you are not and just be authentic with them.”

Zabel’s journey from Pierre to an NFL prospect 

Zabel’s NFL story began in Pierre, a town of 14,000 people in central South Dakota. He’s the second oldest in a family of three boys, to parents Mark and Tanna Zabel. Mark and Tanna were both standouts in high school and college. Mark, a Selby native, played defensive line for the Northern State University football team. 

Tanna scored 2,132 career points for the Harding County High School girls basketball team. Tanna, whose maiden name is Negaard, later starred for the NSU women’s basketball team. An all-conference performer, Tanna recorded 1,192 points and 614 rebounds as a Wolf.

Peyton, the oldest son, recently finished up his career as a Division I pitcher at Texas State University. Jett, the youngest son, will be a redshirt freshman tight end for NDSU this fall. 

The Zabel brothers were all a part of Pierre’s historic football run, which included seven straight Class 11AA state championships from 2017-23. Grey was a member of three state championships and was named the Class 11AA Outstanding Lineman in back-to-back state championships in 2018 and ‘19.

The Zabel family is also relishing the once-in-a-lifetime NFL Draft process with Grey. Mark and Tanna attended both the Senior Bowl and combine, while Peyton and Jett went to the combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

“We are just thankful he’s stayed healthy through this whole process and Grey’s done a nice job managing the whole process,” Mark said. “He kept things in perspective and approached it with the right attitude. It’s been a lot, but it’s sure been fun and enjoyable.” 

Tanna said her son is taking the hectic travel schedule in stride and tells him to enjoy the experience that comes with being an NFL Draft prospect. 

“I just put it all in perspective,” Tanna said. “I said you are very lucky and this is a fun experience that you won’t be able to do again. So take it all in, and enjoy every minute of it.”

Zabel played football, baseball and basketball in high school. He attracted Division I college football interest, with in-state FCS programs South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota heavily recruiting Zabel. FBS programs Iowa, Kansas State and Iowa State were also showing interest.

Zabel, who arrived on campus as a 6-foot-4 1/2 and 245-pound lineman, played multiple positions across the NDSU offensive line in college. The versatility has helped his draft stock, and he’s considered one of the top interior offensive line prospects in the draft. 

And he’s grateful for his Midwest roots, that’s developed him into the player and person he is today. 

“I am proud of Pierre, the community, the sports that it has to offer and at the really competitive level across the entire board,” Grey said. “Every single sport in Pierre has unbelievable coaches that continue to coach us young athletes up to the highest of their ability, and then going up to Fargo is something that I hold really close to my heart, just through the process of coming in at 240 pounds and leaving at 307 pounds. Through this process, those were two things that I hold pretty close to my heart, being from the Dakotas and the blue collar mentality.”

‘Something that’s been his dream’

Zabel is considered a top-50 pick by NFL Draft personnel, and his name has surfaced as a first-round pick on several mock drafts. 

Zabel has not allowed himself to visualize the moment he gets drafted, but instead he’s been focused on working out and meeting with teams. 

But knows the moment will be surreal for him and his family.

“I know there’s going to be a ton of emotions, just everything from growing up all the way until now that my parents have gone through,” Zabel said. “That our family has gone through to get me to this spot has been something I'll forever be in debt to them. I am super grateful for everything that they have done.”

Mark said he isn’t sure how he’ll react when Grey gets drafted, but knows the experience will be special because of his son’s years of hard work. 

“It’s something he’s dreamed about since he was very young,” Mark said. “He loves football and wanted to keep playing somehow. Did we think it would ever come to this? I don’t know, but it’s been quite a ride and we are just going to soak it all in as parents.” 

Tanna added she’s excited, anxious and nervous all at the same time to see where Grey will land. And echoed Mark’s sentiments about seeing their son achieve his dreams. 

“This is something that’s been his dream and to be able to see him accomplish it will be very special,” Tanna said.

Pierre's Grey Zabel, a former North Dakota State University offensive lineman, will be drafted into the NFL next week. (North Dakota State University Athletics Photo)