South Dakota Celebrates as Gray Zabel Joins Seattle Seahawks as First-Round Pick
Table of Contents
- 1. South Dakota Celebrates as Gray Zabel Joins Seattle Seahawks as First-Round Pick
- 2. Zabel’s Path to the NFL
- 3. A legacy of south Dakota Talent in the NFL
- 4. Recent South Dakota NFL Draft Picks
- 5. Inside the Draft: Offensive Linemen in High Demand
- 6. Counterarguments: Overhype?
- 7. FAQ: Grey Zabel and the NFL Draft
- 8. Archyde Interview: Assessing Gray Zabel’s NFL Potential with Analyst Sarah Miller
- 9. Introduction
- 10. Initial Reactions to Zabel’s Draft
- 11. Zabel’s Strengths and Potential
- 12. Challenges and Concerns
- 13. Projecting Zabel’s Role in Seattle
- 14. Long-Term Outlook
- 15. Discussion Question
- 16. Conclusion
SEATTLE (Archyde.com) — South Dakota’s football community is buzzing with excitement after Pierre native Grey Zabel was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 18th pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.
Zabel’s Path to the NFL
Zabel, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive lineman, is coming off a stellar college career at North Dakota State University (NDSU). As an FCS All-American, he played a crucial role in the Bison’s 2024 national championship victory, showcasing his versatility by playing both tackle and guard positions. He is projected to transition to an interior lineman role in the NFL.
“Zabel’s selection marks nine consecutive years that a player from South Dakota or a South Dakota college has been selected in the draft, and he’s the 8th South Dakotan to be picked in the first round.” The last south Dakotan to achieve this feat was Riley Reiff of parkston, chosen by the Detroit Lions in 2012 after playing at the University of Iowa.
A legacy of south Dakota Talent in the NFL
Zabel’s draft selection continues a strong tradition of South Dakota athletes making their mark in professional football. his success story reflects the dedication and hard work instilled in young athletes from the state.
Here’s a look at South Dakotans who were previously selected in the first round:
| Player | Hometown | Year | Overall Pick | team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Odson | Clark | 1942 | 9th | Green Bay Packers |
| Larry Jacobson | Sioux Falls O’Gorman | 1972 | 24th | New York Giants |
| George Amundson | Aberdeen | 1973 | 14th | Houston Oilers |
| John Dutton | Rapid City | 1974 | 5th | Baltimore Colts |
| Lynn Boden | South Dakota State University | 1975 | 13th | Detroit Lions |
| Chad Greenway | Mount Vernon | 2006 | 17th | Minnesota Vikings |
| Riley Reiff | Parkston | 2012 | 23rd | Detroit Lions |
| Grey Zabel | Pierre | 2025 | 18th | Seattle Seahawks |
The consistent flow of talent from South Dakota to the NFL demonstrates the strength of high school and collegiate football programs in the region. These athletes bring a strong work ethic and determination to their professional careers.
Recent South Dakota NFL Draft Picks
The recent success of south Dakota players in the NFL draft is undeniable. Here’s a list of players drafted as 2017:
| Year | Player | position | High School (College) | Round | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Nate Gerry | LB/S | Sioux Falls Washington (Nebraska) | 5th | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2018 | Dallas Goedert | TE | Britton-hecla (South Dakota State) | 2nd | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2019 | Trey Pipkins | OL | University of Sioux Falls | 3rd | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 2019 | Jordan brown | CB | South Dakota State | 7th | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2020 | Derrek Tuszka | DE/LB | Warner (North Dakota State) | 7th | Denver Broncos |
| 2021 | Matt farniok | OL | Sioux Falls Washington (Nebraska) | 7th | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2022 | Pierre Strong | RB | South Dakota State | 4th | New England Patriots |
| 2022 | Chris Oladokun | QB | South Dakota State | 7th | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2023 | Tucker Kraft | TE | Timber Lake (South Dakota State) | 3rd | Green Bay Packers |
| 2024 | Mason McCormick | OL | Sioux Falls Roosevelt (South Dakota State) | 4th | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2024 | Isaiah Davis | RB | South Dakota State | 5th | new York Jets |
| 2024 | Myles Harden | CB | University of South Dakota | 7th | Cleveland Browns |
| 2025 | Grey zabel | OL | Pierre (North Dakota State) | 1st | Seattle Seahawks |
Inside the Draft: Offensive Linemen in High Demand
The selection of Grey Zabel underscores the growing importance of offensive line play in the NFL. Teams are increasingly investing in protecting their quarterbacks and establishing a strong running game, making offensive linemen like Zabel highly valued assets.
The Seahawks, in particular, have been focused on bolstering their offensive line to provide better protection for their quarterback and create more opportunities for their running backs. Zabel’s versatility and experience playing both tackle and guard make him a valuable addition to the team.
Counterarguments: Overhype?
While the excitement surrounding Zabel’s draft is palpable, some analysts argue that drafting an FCS player in the first round is a gamble. The level of competition in the FCS is generally considered lower than in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), raising questions about Zabel’s readiness for the NFL’s demanding environment. However,Zabel’s dominant performance at NDSU,combined with his impressive size and athleticism,convinced the seahawks that he has the potential to excel at the highest level.
FAQ: Grey Zabel and the NFL Draft
What position is Grey Zabel expected to play in the NFL?
Grey Zabel is expected to play as an interior offensive lineman in the NFL, likely at guard.
what college did Grey Zabel attend?
Grey Zabel attended North Dakota State University (NDSU), where he was an FCS All-American.
How many players from South Dakota were drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Grey Zabel was the only player from South Dakota selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Which NFL team drafted Grey Zabel?
The Seattle Seahawks selected Grey Zabel with the 18th pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
How many consecutive years has a player from South Dakota or a South Dakota college been drafted into the NFL?
Grey Zabel’s selection marks nine consecutive years that a player from South Dakota or a South Dakota college has been selected in the NFL Draft.
Archyde Interview: Assessing Gray Zabel’s NFL Potential with Analyst Sarah Miller
Introduction
Welcome back to Archyde.com. Today, we’re dissecting the monumental draft selection of Grey Zabel by the Seattle Seahawks. To provide expert insight, we have Sarah Miller, a seasoned NFL draft analyst. Sarah, welcome to Archyde.
Initial Reactions to Zabel’s Draft
Archyde: Sarah,the south Dakota football community is ecstatic. What’s your initial take on the Seahawks’ decision to draft Grey Zabel with the 18th overall pick?
Sarah Miller: Thanks for having me. It’s a bold move, there’s no doubt whatsoever. Zabel’s a talented player, but coming from the FCS to the first round is a notable jump. Though,the Seahawks clearly saw something they liked – his size,versatility,adn dominance at NDSU. He’s the first FCS player drafted this year, which is significant.
Zabel’s Strengths and Potential
Archyde: Absolutely. The article highlights his versatility as a tackle and guard. What strengths do you see that will translate well to the NFL?
Sarah Miller: His size is a huge asset. At 6’6″, 310 pounds, he has the frame to compete at the NFL level.His ability to play both tackle and guard demonstrates adaptability, something offensive coordinators love. He’s a strong run blocker, and with the direction the NFL is heading, protecting the quarterback is paramount.
Challenges and Concerns
Archyde: You touched on the transition. The article mentioned the challenge of the FCS vs. the FBS. What are some of the biggest challenges Zabel will face?
Sarah Miller: The speed of the game, the physicality, and the level of competition are all higher in the NFL. He’ll need to refine his technique and adapt quickly to the complex blocking schemes. It’s a big leap from NDSU to facing NFL defensive linemen week in and week out. Consistency will be crucial.
Projecting Zabel’s Role in Seattle
Archyde: The Seahawks have invested in bolstering their offensive line. Where do you see Zabel fitting in, and what impact could he have on the team?
Sarah Miller: I project him to compete for an interior lineman role, likely at guard. His versatility could see him fill in at tackle if needed. The Seahawks’ offense will aim to establish a strong running game. If Zabel can solidify the interior, he could significantly improve the team’s run blocking, opening up opportunities for their running backs and giving their quarterback more time to operate.
Long-Term Outlook
Archyde: Looking ahead, what kind of career trajectory do you envision for Grey Zabel?
Sarah miller: If he can stay healthy and consistently develop his skills, I see him becoming a reliable starter within a few years. His ceiling could be very high if he can maximize his physical gifts and refine his technique under professional coaching. The Seahawks had a definite vision when they drafted him, and it will be interesting to see that vision come to fruition.
Discussion Question
Archyde: Sarah, a thought-provoking question for our audience: Considering the recent trend of teams prioritizing offensive line talent, do you think the value of a first-round pick used on an FCS lineman is a sign of a changing NFL landscape?
Sarah Miller: Absolutely, it’s a testament to the evolving strategies in the NFL. Teams are willing to scout further and wider, as the importance of the offensive line is now being recognised as a crucial factor to future success.
Conclusion
Archyde: Sarah, this has been incredibly insightful. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.And to our readers, we’ll be following Grey Zabel’s progress closely.We invite you all to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Sarah Miller: My pleasure.
