2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Zak Alberts, FS, Saint Ambrose University

• Name: Zak Alberts
• Position: Free Safety 
• College: Saint Ambrose University
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 185 lbs
• Twitter: @zakalberts
• Instagram: @zakalberts

What makes you a top prospect at your position  in the 2023 NFL Draft? 

I feel like my football IQ and instincts are what set me apart from most prospects. I seek out the football on every play and make plays. I can play over the top in the one high safety look or line up on a tight end or slot receiver. I watch film constantly, studying tendencies of offensive players and learning their strengths and weaknesses to use to my advantage. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

My family has pictures of me holding a football when I was only a year old. Football has been in my blood since. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

They should know that I am a student of the game because I absorb information from all my coaches and utilize the techniques shown to me to perform effectively on the field. I always want to get better and fine tune my ability. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or American Diabetes Association 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I’ve received is to hold myself accountable on and off the field. My teammates, friends, family, coworkers, etc. must be able to rely on me to do the right thing when no one is watching. 

Who was your childhood hero?

My childhood hero was undoubtedly LaDainian Tomlinson, Hall of Fame RB for the Chargers. Watching him at a young age made me fall in love with football. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

Sharod Danage, great competitor and motivator who is always locked in and focused on our goals as a team. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Unmotivated individuals 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

Hardest moment in my life was having shoulder surgery and the rehab process. It was very difficult being forced to watch from the sideline my Junior season after a successful Sophomore season. I stayed patient and trusted my doctors and therapists and thankfully I am back 100% healthy and stronger than before. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

Saint Ambrose focuses on providing a proper education by their enormous amounts of help and opportunities to each and every student. Football is not forever, education will last a lifetime. 

What is your favorite snack food?

Goldfish 

What is the best part of football?

The best part of football for me is the opportunity to express myself freely and to be in my “element”. On the football field, I get to lock in and focus on my task which is winning football games. There’s no better feeling than a victory with your teammates. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

I would say that I am an instinctive ballhawk football player, with my ability to understand the game of football and do my job correctly while playing multiple positions on the field being elite. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

Former teammates and friends have compared me to Jamal Adams. I believe my game models Tyrann Mathieu. We both are versatile as we can play in the one-high, in the box, and in the slot. We have a nose for the football and make plays consistently. We do our jobs effectively no matter where we line up. I enjoy studying his film and using his strategies on the field. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

Elon Musk, he is the richest person in the world so I would want to understand how he built his fortune. Steph Curry, he is my favorite athlete of all time and was an underdog his whole life. Kanye West, his creative mind and vision would teach me many new things.