Mark Schlereth is all-in on Seattle Seahawks' Grey Zabel

There’s no doubting that Mark Schlereth is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks’ top 2025 NFL Draft pick, Grey Zabel.

Some of that may have to do with their similar backgrounds, but Schlereth sees a lot more than an underdog worth rooting for in the Hawks’ newest offensive guard.

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Schlereth, a longtime NFL analyst and radio host, played on the O-line for the Idaho Vandals – who were NCAA Division I-AA at the time– before going on to a 12-year NFL career as a guard during which he made two Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls.

As for Zabel, who Seattle picked No. 18 overall in last month’s draft, he starred at North Dakota State, which competes at the FCS level – the modern equivalent of Division I-AA.

Schlereth was pretty colorful in his assessment of Zabel when he joined Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob on Thursday.

“Listen, I like the kid,” said Schlereth, who now hosts Breakfast Ball on FS1. “… Obviously people talk about small school and not elite-level competition and all that garbage. I came from a small school without elite-level competition. The kid, he just can play.”

The first reps for @GreyZabel. pic.twitter.com/AJvjkQrZAd

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 4, 2025

Schlereth looked at Zabel’s Senior Bowl practice film and was very impressed with what he saw.

“He’s really good not only on line of scrimmage but second-level stuff, really good keeping his feet moving, all that kind of stuff,” Schlereth said. “… He moved from guard to center to guard in the Senior Bowl and absolutely dispensed justice. I thought he was great. He was in front of guys, he locked guys up on line of scrimmage.

“There was no backing down, there was no intimidation, there was none of that small school guy (concerns). He came in there and gave them a mouthful on every rep.”

Schlereth believes Zabel’s ability will show up on the field immediately for the Seahawks.

“That stuff bodes well, the fact that he played multiple positions and he was flipping up and down the line of scrimmage,” he said. “… So there’s a guy that can come in and play right away, and play really well, I think.”

There’s a bonus positive about Zabel for Schlereth.

“I would have drafted him in the first round based on his mustache alone – without ever actually looking at any film. I would have just seen that ‘stache and go, ‘That’s my kind of guy. Let’s take him. Let’s take him in the first round.’”

Hear the full Wyman and Bob conversation with Mark Schlereth in the podcast at this link or the player below. Catch Wyman and Bob from 2-7 p.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

Mark Schlereth is all-in on Seattle Seahawks’ Grey Zabel

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