Anthony Zettel

Classroom

Anthony Zettel is on pace to graduate with his degree in kinesiology in December 2015. He produced a 3.0 or better GPA in all five sessions during his career.

Character

Zettel is serving as team captain this season after being a leader for the Nittany Lions on and off the field. He has clearly distinguished himself as an energetic and driven competitor with a tremendous work ethic. He is highly respected by his teammates, and has enjoyed earning lighthearted fame through viral posts of him tackling a tree to the ground and roundhouse kicking a water bottle out of a teammate’s hand. He is the kind of young man who, with the help of a teammate, stopped during a snowstorm to shovel out the driveways of two elderly strangers because he saw people in need.

Community

Zettel is the sergeant at arms of Penn State’s Uplifting Athletes chapter, which raised a total of $120,000 in 2015. He as participated in the Penn State Lift For Life for the last four years and also has been involved in THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the country. During his time at Penn State, he has volunteered with the Special Olympics, participated in numerous Make-a-Wish visits to Penn State’s football facilities and has visited the Hershey Children’s Hospital in each of the last two years.

Competition

Zettel has been selected as a preseason All-American by numerous outlets. Last season he was selected an Athlon Sports fourth-team All-American and was named All-Big Ten First Team by the coaches and media. Zettel started all 13 games last season and was the only FBS player ranked among the national leaders in sacks and interceptions per game. He became the first Penn State defensive lineman since 1959 with at least three interceptions in a season. He led the team with 17.0 tackles for loss (minus-72) and 8.0 sacks (minus-46), and he finished third in the Big Ten and tied for 24th nationally in tackles for loss at 1.3 per game and tied for fifth in the Big Ten and 51st nationally in sacks (0.62 per game). Zettel finished the season tied for ninth on the squad with 42 tackles (28 solo), while adding a team-high-tying three interceptions, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and eight passes defended. He ended the season with at least 1.0 TFL in seven straight games and was selected Athlon Sports Big Ten Player of the Week in the win at Rutgers as he had four solo tackles, including a career-high 3.0 TFL. Against No. 4 Ohio State, Zettel nabbed his second interception of the season and returned it 40 yards for his first career touchdown. It was the first interception returned for a touchdown for the Nittany Lions since NaVorro Bowman’s 73-yard return against Indiana in 2009.