National Football League

Zach Zenner diary: As new beginning approaches, contemplating end to football life

Published Apr. 22, 2015 10:47 a.m. ET

foxsports

Zach Zenner played running back at South Dakota State, where he became the first FCS back to rush for 2,000 yards in three different seasons and finished 12 yards shy of setting the FCS' all-time rushing record. Projected to be a late-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Zenner will take you through the process of training for the NFL Combine, his pro day, the anticipation for draft day and more. Check out his earlier entries at the bottom of the page, and follow Zenner on Twitter @Zenner31.

One of the realities that every football player will face at some point in his career is the knowledge that, one day, it'll all be over. From the No. 1 overall pick to the last selection in the last round to the countless undrafted free agents fighting for roster spots each season, every player will eventually play a last snap, and for many, that's a hard reality to accept.

For some it'll be a matter of months before they arrive at that conclusion while others might play for a decade or more before those thoughts and doubts begin to creep in, but the fact is, football is a sport that's difficult to quit, and football players are simply hard-wired to believe that they're never quite done.

Now, I say all this not because I'm already grappling with that decision, myself. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I'm more ready and excited for football than ever as the countdown clock to the NFL Draft ticks closer and closer to zero.

But my educational and professional ambitions outside the sport have left some concerned about my level of commitment to the game. And while I can understand why teams or fans might worry about where I stand while I've got a med school acceptance letter in my back pocket, I'm here to tell them, once and for all, that there's no reason at all to be worried.

As I've stated here before, I do one day plan on going to medical school and my goal, at least for now, is to someday become a surgeon. I worked hard during my time at South Dakota State to put myself in a position to pursue such a career, after all. But while I might take an online class over the summer here or check out a conference there just to keep my neurons firing, my professional priority will be football until I'm totally positive that it's not in my best interests to play anymore.

Honestly, the debate as to when or why I might call it quits is one that hasn't really entered my mind yet, and why should it? If anything, it's almost surprising to me when it does come up. I'm a young guy who has worked my whole life to get to the precipice of the NFL, so now that I'm here, the idea of giving it up and hanging up my cleats any time soon sounds like the silliest thing in the world.

I'd like to think it'll be years and years before I'm done playing, and that maybe I'll have a Super Bowl ring or two on my hand by then. But when I am finally finished -- whenever that is -- I think I'll just know it's time, and as long as I feel like I was given a fair opportunity to show what I can do and did my best when given the chance, I'll be happy with what I've accomplished.

The nature of football players is to go and go and go until you can't anymore -- or until someone tells you, 'Hey, listen, it's over.' And while I may not be the stereotypical football player away from the field, I'm no different from the hundreds of other guys who want to do this for a living. I wake up every morning eager to hit the gym or put my pads on, and my agent and I have made every team that has brought up the topic of my future aware of just how committed I would be to their team.

Yeah, I've got a great backup plan, but I'm a football player first right now, and I'm ready to go and give my best effort for whatever team gives me the opportunity. Over the last week, I've heard from about five different organizations looking to verify my draft day contact information, so I've got a good feeling about my prospects, and I know I'll get a chance somewhere. And soon enough, it'll be time to show the team that picks me (and all the teams that pass on me) just how much I mean what I say.

Chapter 1: Getting a Combine invite and getting engaged

Chapter 2: Trying to score points at the Combine

Chapter 3: Home sweet home back at South Dakota State

Chapter 4: It's a family affair as Zenner returns to Eagan

Chapter 5: On Chris Borland, retirement and concussions

Chapter 6: Making a final impression at Pro Day

Chapter 7: Would I switch positions to make a team?

Chapter 8: Getting selected vs. going undrafted