Penn State University has received a commitment from the nation’s No. 1 fullback, Zach Zwinak, who stars for Linganore (Ijamsville, Md.). The 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior already has gained 300 yards and scored five touchdowns on just 18 carries for his 2-0 team while playing only five quarters. In four quarters of defense, he ranks No. 2 on the team with 18 tackles.
Zach Zwinak.
Tom Lemming photo
Tom Lemming, national recruiting analyst for CBS Sports and MaxPreps, calls it “a great catch for Penn State. He can run, catch and block. I think he’ll be a three-year starter at fullback.”
Linganore coach Rick Conner told MaxPreps, “We’re tickled for him and his family. It’s a great opportunity and he deserves it.”
Zwinak told MaxPreps that he had 19 Division I offers and it came down to Penn State and Virginia Tech. “My dad (B.J. Zwinak, a nose guard) played for Virginia Tech. I grew up watching Virginia Tech. Nothing can come close to this (as the hardest decision in his life). It was just the way it felt.
“It will be an honor to play for Joe Paterno. He’s a legend.”
As a junior, the bruiser, who runs a superb 4.5 40 and bench presses 350 pounds, rushed for 1,447 yards (10.9 average), scored 19 touchdowns and made 53 tackles, 11 for losses, five sacks and forced seven fumbles as a linebacker. He led the Lancers to a sparkling 13-1 record and runner-up honors in the Class 4A state playoffs.
Zwinak already has been selected for the prestigious U.S. Army All-American bowl game.
