Name: Joel Zellem
School: Waynesburg University
Position: DL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 310
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
I set the goal to win as many games as possible and be an all conference player. Obviously 2-8 isn’t the goal at the end, but I felt like we did a lot of good, showed a lot of good and the future of Waynesburg is going to be great.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
To be honest I’ve never really thought about that. I know that my coaches were excited when I decided to come back for another year. I’m not perfect by any means, I just hope that my coaches and teammates respected what I was able to do.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
I always watch my first step, checking if I’m stepping where I’m supposed to and gaining ground. Then I watch my punch to make sure my hand placement on my man key is as good as it can be and it’s powerful. Then I watch my feet and see if I keep them going during the play. That’s something I’ve always needed to work on. I hope I get more opportunity to play football to work that out.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
I don’t really pay attention to other pro prospects at my spot, but I know that I excel at blocking field goals and getting my hands up for the RPO game and deflecting passes underneath. In 3 years I blocked 9 kicks and deflected 10 passes. I have a natural feel for when to get my hand up there to disrupt the game and I know that instinct will translate at the next level, whatever level it might be.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
When I’m not with my son and working my jobs I’m working with Dan Turak and recoding my body with the GOATA program. Long story short it’s basically a muscle memory connection regimen that works out all weaknesses of the body to help promote a healthy spine and skeleton. I am also lifting and doing agility drills on my own at the YMCA.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
Aside from getting my hands on the ball at my position I take pride to make sure I know what everyone’s assignment is on defense. It helps me make educated guesses on what the other team might do or where they might attack us based on what we are showing coverage wise or a blitz or whatever it might be. You obviously need to know the down and distance but if you know what the back end of the defense I can have more of a feel if that ball is going to come out quick or not.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
If you take a chance on me you’ll have a guy that’s mature and can handle life with football. My last season I was taking care of my son, working 2 jobs and getting my masters all while playing football. If you give me the opportunity to make football my job that is an opportunity I am prepared to take advantage of and make the most out of. I’m a low risk high reward type of prospect coming from a D3 school. All I need is an invite to camp and the rest will take care of itself.
