« Football 2009

Zane Beadles

School
University of Utah
Position
Offensive Tackle
Major
Mechanical Engineering

Classroom

Beadles is a senior mechanical engineering major and holds a 3.535 grade point average. He is scheduled to graduate in four and a half years. Beadles was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII team in 2008 and is a two-time Academic All-Mountain West Conference selection. He was also on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll three times and was on the Dean’s list in 2006. Beadles is currently working on his senior design project, which is a wheelchair lift that safely transports handicapped people using no electric grid power and is affordable for low-income families. It will be primarily designed for use by people in New Orleans who reside in flood areas, but will be adaptable for use in other homes. Beadles’ career interests include designing and building defense weapons and robotics, potentially working for the FBI as an engineering expert. He went into engineering after watching a Discovery Channel show on defense weapons. Beadles is interested in everything from missiles to rockets to unmanned vehicles.

Character

Beadles is a dedicated leader in every sense of the word, both on and off the field. The team’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman a year ago in a 13-0 season that ended with a No. 2 national ranking, he was named a team captain for the current season. As a sophomore, he was asked to move from left tackle from left guard late in preseason camp following an injury to another player. Despite the timing, he embraced the new role and has excelled at arguably the most difficult position on the line. He has also embraced a challenging academic workload. Even while majoring in mechanical engineering, he is on target to graduate in four and a half years with a solid GPA. He looked into leaving for the NFL following his junior season, but removed his name, in part because he wanted to obtain his degree before leaving school. Also a great role model, Beadles has set an example for his teammates and other athletes through his numerous community service projects. His maturity and dedication come through in every aspect of his life – football, school and community. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham on Beadles: “Zane Beadles is not only a tremendous football player and team leader, he is an exceptional student and person as well. Zane holds himself to the highest standards in all aspects of his life and is a great example to the students on campus, the members of our team and people in the community. Zane has demonstrated strong leadership ability since his freshman year and has developed into the kind of leader a football team needs to succeed at the highest level. The way in which he conducts his life has earned him the respect of his peers and coaches. Finally, Zane is the epitome of the term ‘student-athlete’ – one who excels in the classroom, on the field and makes the community a better place for us all.”

Community

Beadles regularly participates in community service events as both a member of the football team and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Over the past three years (2007-09), Beadles has served as a mentor at Lincoln Elementary School for grades 1-6, going to the school regularly during the offseason. He has also participated in P.E. classes and recess with them. Some of his engagements have included speaking at a youth detention center and at elementary and middle school assemblies. He speaks to groups about staying out of trouble and following their dreams. Beadles has also spent time reading to elementary school students. In May 2007 he was the keynote speaker for a Kiwanis Kids Club luncheon, which was attended by outstanding middle school students in the Salt Lake area. He spoke about not letting things that you may not expect in your life keep you from getting where you want to go. Beadles also assisted in preparations for the 2009 SAAC Blood Drive on campus, advertising in advance and setting up for the event.

Competition

Beadles is a four-year starter for the University of Utah and an All-America candidate at left tackle. He has made the all-Mountain West Conference team twice—earning first-team honors in 2008—and is on the 2009 preseason watch list for both the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy. In last year’s undefeated, Sugar Bowl championship season, he was named Utah’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman—leading the Utes with 40 knockdowns, 42 pancake blocks and 27 cuts. His sophomore season, Beadles played his way to second-team all-Mountain West Conference honors. As a freshman in 2006, Beadles played in all 13 games—starting 12—at left guard. In his first college game (against UCLA), he received the highest grade of all the Utah linemen (83%).