Tom Zbikowski 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Safety Return Specialist Senior Notre Dame 6' 0" 205 lbs. Speed: 4.48 Strengths: Vision, Expereince, Return Capabilites, Ball-Hawk, Quickness Weakness: Angles, Striaght Line Speed, Undersized for SS

By: John L. Clarke

Tom Zbikowski is “all day tough”.  That was the quote used by Head Coach Charile Weiss to describe his Senior Safety.  In 2005, Zbikowski burst onto the scene and Notre Dame enjoyed one of its best records in recent history.   He was responsible for 4 touchdowns, including an amazing punt return against eventual champs USC.

2006 was not as good to the senior safety, nick-named Tommy Z.  Although he increased his total tackles, he did not register an interception and his punt return average dropped from being ranked nationally in ‘05 at 13^th to 40^th in ‘06.  However, he still did manage to score twice.  Once as a punt returner and once as a strong safety.  Although some of the obvious big play ability was missing, he still showed some flashes of his ’05 form.  Not too many punt returners have more than one score and even less Defensive Backs have a touchdown.

Zbikowski is a nationally ranked golden gloves boxer as well.  This provides him with the hand/eye coordination and quickness as well as nimble feet.  Strength, quickness and agility are strengths in both football and boxing, so these traits are pluses.  He was an option quarterback in high school, which allows him to see the field as well as he does.  He does have above average explosion when closing in on the ball/ball carrier and is rarely caught from behind once he builds up his speed. 

Tommy Z. bounced back to have a senior senior year.  Zbikowski leaves Notre Dame with 300 tackles, the eighth-most in school history and the most ever for an Irish defensive back. He's also tied with Tim Brown and Ricky Watters, among others, for the most punt returns for a touchdown in school history with three. He has the speed (4.48) and agility to cover space at the safety position. He is probably best suited for the Strong Safety position, due to his tackling ability and strength in zone coverage awareness; however he is a bit undersized to fit in the box. He also has a knack for making big plays and being around the ball, which is important for a defensive back.  He has average man to man skills, something that can be improved on at the next level.  He had some disappointing moments last year, but normally is a solid tackler, whom knows when and where to deliver the big hit.  He could improve on taking angles towards ball carriers, which may have contributed to some missed tackles the last few years.

Overall, Zbikowski would be a great 3-4th round pick at this point. His skills are comparable to Pro Bowler Mike Brown of the Chicago Bears.  They are about the same size, speed and play with a chip on their shoulders.  Both are leaders and if Tommy Z. can focus all of his intensity on just football, he will be a steal to whomever snags him in the 2008 NFL Draft. He will need to have a very fast workout at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine to regain his once lofty draft status.

TOM ZBIKOWSKI DEFENSIVE CAREER STATS:

TOM ZBIKOWSKI PUNT RETURN CAREER STATS:

TOM ZBIKOWSKI CAREER AWARDS:

2004

·         MVP of the Blue and Gold Game (Team Award)

2005

·         Nick Pietrosante Award (Team Award)

·         3^rd Team ALL-AMERICAN (Punt Returner)

2006

·         3^rd Team ALL-AMERICAN (Safety)

·         2^nd Team ALL-AMERICAN (Safety) by Walter Camp Football Foundation

·         1^st Team Pre-Season ALL-AMERICAN (Punt Returner)

·         2^nd Team Pre-Season ALL-AMERICAN (Safety)

·         Semi-Finalist for JIM THORPE AWARD (Best Defensive Back in the country)

·         Team Captain

2007

·         Pre-Season BEDNARIK and NAGURSKI TROPHY and LOTT AWARD Watch List

·         Semi-Finalist LOTT AWARD

·         Semi-Finalist for JIM THORPE AWARD

·         1^st Team Pre-Season ALL-AMERICAN by NFL Draft Dog, ESPN, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports and Phil Steele

·         Team Captain