Reusse: SDSU strikes gold with recruiting Zenner siblings

Zach Zenner was waiting in the drive-through lane at the Arby's in Brookings, S.D. He was taking advantage of the benefits that came with the Friends of Brookings Baseball card that he purchased awhile back for $10.

"You get a free drink with your order," Zenner said. "A college student can't pass up a deal like that."

This is the fifth year for Zenner at South Dakota State. He's become such a fan of the place that when the caller said, "Arby's is probably one of the more prestigious eating establishments in town," Zach let out an anguished protest.

"You can't say that," Zenner said. "Brookings has quite a few nice places to eat."

Zenner arrived in Brookings for football practice in the summer of 2010. South Dakota State was the only school in the FCS, the second tier of college football, to offer him a scholarship.

This has worked out well for both parties — for the Jackrabbits and for Zenner.

Zach was an option quarterback in his senior season for the Eagan Wildcats. The main options were for him to run or hand off. Put it this way: Mitch Leidner was an aerial magician compared to Zenner as a quarterback.

Coach John Stiegelmeier pulled a switch for the fall of 2012. Kool moved to receiver and Zenner became a workhorse running back.

He led the FCS with 2,044 yards in 13 games, an average of 157.2 yards per game. He came back as a junior in 2013 with 2,015 yards in 14 games, an average of 143.7 yards per game. This year, four games remain in a 5-3 regular season, and he's at 1,137 yards … making 2,000 very much a long shot.

Apparently, with all the time devoted to practicing football and keeping his 6-foot, 220-pound frame solid enough for heavy ball carrying, Zenner has found time to do the class work.

He's a pre-med biology major and has applied at numerous medical schools in the Midwest. On Thursday, Zenner's scholarly and football pursuits were recognized by the National Football Foundation. He was named among the 17 national scholars in all of college football.

The honorees are finalists for the Campbell Trophy, which goes to the individual deemed to be the nation's top football scholar-athlete.

"In my 31 years of coaching football, Zach Zenner may be the most complete student-athlete that I've been associated with," Stiegelmeier said. "Zach is humble and brilliant … He defines the term 'student-athlete.' "

Those accolades might put a little pressure on the kid brother, Sam, who also will head to South Dakota State to play football in the fall of 2015. Sam's high school career ended with him scoring a pair of touchdowns in Eagan's 20-14 loss to Prior Lake in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs Friday night.

Sam was a quarterback through his sophomore year, played running back as a junior, and now is back at quarterback.

Does Sam remind Zach of himself?

"No, he throws the ball much better than I ever could," Zach said.

"I'm not just following my brother and sister [Abby, a junior swimmer] to South Dakota State," Sam said. "I've been there a lot. The coaches, players and other students are great. So are the people in Brookings."

Sam is leaner than his brother, 6-0 and 200, and not as "speedy." What he hopes to replicate is his brother's confidence.

"I'm not sure how many people expected Zach to do this, but he expected it for himself," Sam said.

There is a large obstacle in front of the Jackrabbits on Saturday. They are in Fargo to face North Dakota State, the three-time defending national champion and winner of 32 in a row.

The Jackrabbits are 0-4 (including a playoff loss) in games Zenner has played vs. NDSU. He has a meager 127 yards in 34 carries, 3.7 yards per carry.

Patrick Reusse can be heard 3-6 p.m. weekdays on AM-1500. preusse@startribune.com