Named first-team all-state by the Iowa Newspaper Association … First-team all-Central Iowa Metro League … Named to The Des Moines Register’s second-team all-state football squad in 2007 and 2008 … Helped lead Valley to a 14-0 season and state title as a senior … Earned three letters in football … Rushed for 1,468 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior … Rushed for 1,876 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior … High school head coach is USA Football Junior National Team offensive coordinator Gary Swenson.

“Zach is very athletic and a team leader,” University of Northern Iowa head coach Mark Farley said. “He was part of a championship program in high school so he’ll be able to bring a winning background with him, which will enhance the USA football squad.

“It’s a neat deal to have someone from the state of Iowa, who has chosen to come to the University of Northern Iowa, to be a part of this team. It’s great for him to be chosen for this because there was a lot of research done by the folks making these selections.”