Nicholas has excellent lateral quickness. He reacts to the moves that the defender will throw at him with ease. He uses a nasty stiff arm very well. He has strong upper body. He has locked defenders in his block at the FCS level. He has a strong lower body. He drives well which shows strong thighs and legs. He has a very solid anchor and bend.
Nicholas has very good hand placeent. He uses good grip strength and lower body power to push downhill in the run game. He gets moving downhill very, very quickly. He works well into the second level. He gets down low and moves the defender as needed. He played in a heavy zone RPO scheme. He excels in man blocking. He understand his assignments well and showed an understanding of where to and why.
Areas for Improvement
Zakelj is not particularly quick or fast. He wasn't really asked to pull or move out anywhere special. He wasn't asked to play pass protection, as they ran a more RPO scheme. He does not get as low when dropping into a pass set, still very much upright. He is susceptible to the quick rip.
Zakelj biggest issue with lineman from smaller schools is wheterh he can get low enough to win on the line. He needs to consistently get low. There were times against other FCS competition that Nichola struggled to handle power moves while in his pass set. His center of gravity is not as low as it should be.
Nicholas Zakelj Career at School
A 2021 team captain. A leader of the Fordham offensive line. Earned All-Patriot League honors the past three years. 2020-21 First Team All-Patriot League selection. Also named Academic All-Patriot League in 2020-21. 2019 Lansing Trophy recipient. A four-year starter on the offensive line. Made an immediate impact as a freshman on the Fordham offensive line in 2017. Started eight games, mostly at right tackle. A First Team All-League performer at Brecksville-Broadview High School in 2016. Named to the 2018, 2019, and 2020-21 Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
Nicholas Zakelj NFL Draft Player Profile
Zakelj is an abundantly experienced offensive lineman for the Fordham Rams, showing good body control and movement. He struggles due to his lack of pure strength and will find it hard to find a role because of his borderline measurements.
