High School Football: Iola Mustangs
Nic Zimmerman didnt expect much to come from attending a super regional Blue-Grey All-American football combine.
The incoming senior lineman had hopes, sure, but he also found himself grounded in the reality of his situation.
He plays for a small Kansas high school team that traditionally has struggled. Those types of players dont get selected to play on a national stage, let alone at one of the most prestigious high school combines and nationally televised scrimmages in the country.
But last week, those preconceived notions were smashed when Zimmerman found out that after a strong showing at the Rocky Mountain super regional in Denver earlier this month, that he had in fact been selected to play on the offensive line for the West team in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl and Combine at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Jan. 28. The game will be streamed via the Impact Sports Network
I knew that I had the ability, but growing up, you just dont think someone from Iola can make it to stuff like this, Zimmerman said. I want to show people Iola can not only produce college-level football players but that those athletes can also thrive on that next level.
This combine and bowl game is key to achieving such a goal. According to their website, nearly 73 percent of participants secure a scholarship to a D-1, D-2, NAIA or junior college school.
Zimmermans journey started at the Heartland regional combine in April at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo., where he finished in the top 35 percent of athletes, qualifying him to compete in the super regional.
At the super regional, Zimmerman stood out once again and earned All-American status, given to only 90 out of 6,750 players who attended the regional combines around the country.
Its been hard work for Zimmerman. Hes gone through a physical transformation over the past months to get himself in the kind of shape to compete on the level.
Zimmerman has shed 25 pounds driven by sheer dedication. He works out twice a day and lets his underdog mentality continue to push him.
Its just really nice to be acknowledged for all of the hard work that Ive put in, Zimmerman said. Sports In Kansas (an online Kansas high school sports publication) wont even put me in their list of top-25 offensive lineman. I just always get slid into their honorable mention list. I want that to change.
Zimmerman also credits Iola head coach David Daugharthy for helping push him toward achieving his goal.
Coach Daugharthy is a master motivator, Zimmerman said. Without him and his staff last year, who knows? Theyve really helped focus me on what I need to improve on.
Daugharthy was not a bit surprised when he learned Zimmerman was selected, but he was very proud.
Its awesome that someone from Iola, Kansas of all places could be selected to compete in something like this, Daugharthy said. Its a credit to his hard work. At the first combine he ran a 5.7 40-yard dash and then a couple of months later, he cut that time down to a 5.3 40 at the super regional. Thats pretty good.
