2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Zack Gieg, OL, Southeast Missouri State University

• Name: Zack Gieg
• Position: OL
• College: Southeast Missouri State University
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 290 lbs
• Twitter: @giegzackary66
• Instagram: @zackgieg

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

My dad made me want to be a football player, I played baseball my entire life and wasn’t interested in football until high school. My dad played FCS ball at Saint Mary’s as a middle line backer and that is what got me into it. I didn’t play tackle football until high school and I haven’t looked back since.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments from my football career are winning the CCS championship December 2018 and the OVC championship win this past year at SEMO. I’ve played football for 8 years and those moments still give me chills when I think about them. It was also an honor to earn All OVC, Stats Perform All American and the Rimington Award this last season. As an OL group we push each other on the field and hang off the field.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My brother inspires me the most in our family. I was a PWO at Fresno State for two years and had a good high school career, but my brother’s recruiting was ruined by COVID when his season got shut down his junior year. It seemed like he had lost the motivation and love for the game, until he got to Boise State. He went first semester without playing ball and was feeling like he needed something more. He reached out to the right people and did a try out and made the team. He now is gonna be playing defensive line for the Broncos and I couldn’t be more proud seeing him excel and push himself to his limits in these next few years. That dude is my best friend and I can’t wait to watch his success.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

This upcoming season I am looking forward to taking on a new role as a Captain for the 2023 season. We have a championship team with athletes at every position. I am excited and ready to win another championship and make a long playoff run.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

If I could hang out with any football player it would be Ron Stone. He is a Super Bowl champ with 10 plus year’s experience in the league and was my Offensive Line coach in High school. He always pushed me and knew how to get me fired up, but was always good to me and it would be awesome to hang with him again.

What are your favorite things about playing football for SEMO?

My favorite things about playing at SEMO is our gritty culture, family dynamic and work ethic that our staff and players bring to the facility every day whether that’s in October, January, July. Our facility constantly is packed with players and coaches trying to get better at what they do.

What should we know about Zack Gieg the person?

I love my family, I am from Morgan Hill, CA. I love golf, the lake, skiing and snowboarding. I am brutally honest and determined. I am a competitor at heart whether it be a pick up basketball game or board games with the family, I want to win. I have always said off the field I’m like a teddy bear, but on the field I play mad and physical!

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

My favorite offensive scheme is smash mouth football. I love inside zone and power, driving guys 5 yards back seeing your All American running back run past you for a touchdown is an offensive line dream feeling. I also love getting out on the edge(sweep) pulling out and hitting linebackers has to be my second.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I handle challenges on and off the field differently. Challenges on the field I have to remember to keep my composure and play with controlled rage, but violence is always my answer on the field. Off the field I feel as if I handle myself in a calm manner and am always thinking before I respond so I am not responding inappropriately or emotionally to situations that don’t go my way.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a guy who is constantly starving for more! I am coachable, confident, passionate about my craft, mentally and physically tough, violent, consistent in my work and play, determined and gritty. I want an opportunity to help a team win football games. I might not be able to change light bulbs without a latter, but I will compete my ass off day in and day out.

What stands out about your film the most?

I believe my motor stands out in my film the most. I don’t just wanna win the block, I want to punish the kid who thinks he can line up in front of me. I believe my get off and speed give me an advantage over my competitors. Coaches were always so concerned about my height and it put a fire in me that I was always counted out for my size. My film will show you, I never shy away from contact.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

The most underrated player I have ever played with has to be Matt Smith from Fresno State. Matt, as a 5’11 300 pound senior walk on was our leader. He didn’t have the size, maybe not even the speed, but he never quit. He showed me that knowledge, grit and heart is all you need. Matt ended up earning a scholarship and a starting job at center and inspired me on how to play with leverage and outsmart your opponent. Matt was starting over 3 star athletes as a PWO, lead our player ran practices and our offensive line meetings. I have never met another player, another man that worked as hard as him. He now is starting his coaching career and will have an outstanding career considering his work ethic and football IQ. Matt Smith is undoubtedly the reason I still play football today.