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2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Zach Hester, DE, Colorado School of Mines

Zach Hester, Edge, Colorado School of Mines
Zach Hester, the standout edge rusher from Colorado School of Mines recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds owner Damond Talbot
  • Name: Zach Hester
  • Position: Defensive End
  • College: Colorado School of Mines
  • Height: 6’3”
  • Weight: 260 lbs
  • Twitter: @zachhester24
  • Instagram: zach_hester08

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft?

I think what makes me a top prospect in my position is the competitive edge I have on everyone in my position group.  I have been overlooked my whole life and have had to work harder than everyone just to get noticed.  I think that competitive edge is something that sets me apart from everyone in this class.

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

I first became interested in football when I was 5 years old watching the Denver Broncos play the New England Patriots and Champ Bailey returned an interception to about the 2-yard line.

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

I’m a winner and whoever takes a chance on me is going to be a winner as well.  Every team I have played on has improved and been the best version of that team.  In high school my senior year our football team won their first state championship and our basketball team went the furthest in the playoffs we have ever been.  At Mines we recently made our first National Championship game and this year we are going to run the table and win our first National Championship.

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

If I was able to donate to one cause it would be St. Jude’s Hospital Cancer Research I have a friend I went to high school with that did his Capstone on children’s cancer research.  After hearing him talk about it and have such a passion for it I think that cause is something worth fighting for.  I also believe parents should never watch their children die before them and is something I have a lot of sympathy for.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

I think the best advice I have ever received is from my high school football coach.  I had something go wrong in my day and I was very upset about it and was beating myself up over it and he just said, “I know this is not what you wanted, but don’t let it ruin your day.”  I have tried to carry that into every aspect of my life.  Like nothing can be done perfectly and being able to flush that and move forward to the next moment, play, or second is important.  Being present in the moment and not dwelling on past mistakes is something that’s important in anything I do.

Who was your childhood hero?

My childhood hero is Champ Bailey.  I grew up idolizing him because he is the player that made me want to play football.  Even though he is not the same position he was one of the best to ever play cornerback and because of that he has influenced me to be the best person and player I could be.

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

I think the most underrated teammate in our locker room is Peyton Rose.  He is one of our defensive linemen on the team he can play any of the three defensive line positions as well as been a contributor for the last three seasons.  He has only one start due to the depth we have had on the defensive line here and might be the most impactful player to only start one game in school history.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is when people expect something without putting the effort in to have that something.  It bothers me when someone who has skipped workouts or meetings or anything that is required to get what they want.

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

My second semester at Mines I was also competing in track and this led to me overloading myself with work in my sports and in the classroom.  I did not do as well in school that year and had to take summer classes to become eligible again.  I fought back though and was eligible and competed in every game that season.

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

Colorado School of Mines is one of the top engineering schools in the nation.  It has helped shape me into the person I am today and it’s a special place to me because it’s the place that took a chance on me as an athlete as well as a scholar.  Mines was my first offer coming out of high school as well.  I think additionally the people we bring in to play football here are smart hard-working guys that help push me to be the best version of myself.

What is your favorite snack food?

With me being a little underweight my whole time at Mines I think my favorite snack food would have to be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  That’s my go to snack when I’m studying or I’m at the house and I just need to grab a quick snack before I leave.

What is the best part of football? 

I think the best part of football is the team aspect of the game. I think it is something to marvel when a defense comes on the field all 11 players on the field perform to an exceptional level and cause a three and out.  Additionally, I have met my best friends through playing football so the way the sport brings people together is something that can’t compare to other sports.  Going through the toughest moments in your life physically and some of your best friends are going through it right there with you is something that is so special about football.

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

I haven’t made anyone who’s bet on me wrong yet, and I don’t plan to tarnish that perfect record.

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

Matthew Judon, I think his background is like mine coming from a division 2 school and I think I play like him.  I think we both come off the edge with good speed and a lot of power.  I also think I play very stout in the run because our defense is built around our defensive line playing well in the run game.  He is one of the top edge rushers in the NFL and with him being that he plays extremely well in the run game.  I also believe we have the same chip on our shoulder that makes us work just that much harder to get what we want.

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

If I could have dinner with any three people ever I would have dinner with Michael Jordan, Von Miller, and Steve Jobs.  I would pick Michael Jordan just because in my opinion he is the greatest competitor of all time.  I would want to try and dissect his brain on how he thought and worked when he was playing basketball.  I picked Von Miller because I think he has done a lot to change pass rush in the NFL.  I think he is one of the best if not the best pass rusher in the NFL and I have idolized him for a while now watching his highlights before every game I played in high school.  I then picked Steve Jobs because he started in his garage with Apple and made it an extremely successful company.  I think his underdog mindset lines up with mine and I would like to pick his brain on how he fought the adversities he fought.

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