From Division II Stardom to the NFL Radar

Don’t let the logo on the helmet fool you — Central Missouri’s Zach Zebrowski has Sunday talent written all over him.

In a landscape where Power 5 pedigree often dominates headlines leading into the NFL Draft, the Division II ranks continue to churn out their fair share of hidden gems. Names like Danny Woodhead, Joique Bell, and Tyson Bagent serve as a testament that talent rises — no matter where it starts. And next in line to crash the party? The record-smashing quarterback from the heart of Missouri: Zach Zebrowski.

The Minnesota native’s journey to draft buzz is the stuff of underdog lore. After spending four seasons at FCS Southern Illinois with just 11 pass attempts to his name, Zebrowski took a leap of faith in 2023, transferring to D-II Central Missouri. All he did was become one of the most prolific quarterbacks the level has ever seen.

In his first season with the Mules, Zebrowski lit college football on fire. He threw for 5,157 yards and 61 touchdowns — yes, 61 — while adding over 500 yards on the ground. His 5,690 total yards set a new D-II single-season record, and he became just the sixth quarterback in all of college football history to notch 60 passing scores in a single campaign. Oh, and he threw eight touchdowns in a game twice. The result? A Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player in Division II.

While 2024 didn’t quite match the video game numbers of his first season, Zebrowski still led the division in both passing yards (4,724) and touchdowns (40). His back-to-back dominance made him the first repeat Harlon Hill winner since Ferris State’s Jason Vander Laan (2014-15), and just the fourth ever to win it twice. In two seasons at Central Missouri, he totaled over 10,400 passing yards, 101 touchdowns, and completed passes at a 68% clip, throwing only 17 interceptions across 25 games.

Zebrowski doesn’t just put up numbers — he puts them up efficiently, with command and flair. He’s a composed pocket passer with sneaky athleticism, quick decision-making, and the type of arm talent that makes you forget what level you're watching. NFL scouts may raise eyebrows at the level of competition, but Zebrowski has already begun silencing those concerns with strong interviews and workouts throughout the pre-draft process.

As teams comb through late-round boards and prioritize priority undrafted free agents, Zebrowski’s name deserves to be in that conversation. He’s not just a feel-good story — he’s a legitimate prospect who has overcome obscurity, rewritten record books, and proven he can lead.

Zach Zebrowski may not hear his name called in the top 100 picks, but if the NFL has taught us anything, it's that the journey is just beginning when the lights come on. Just ask Bagent, who turned a D-II resume into a role with the Chicago Bears. The path is there — and if history is any indicator, Zebrowski has all the tools to be the next one through the door.

He’s already made D-II history. Now he’s looking to make NFL believers.