Tom Zbikowski Scouting Report

Zbikowski did not play during the 2003 season, but won the starting strong safety position in the spring of 2004. He Started all twelve games for Notre Dame that season, accounting for 70 tackles. He was also used as a punt returner and as kick off coverage on teams. In 2005 he started all of the Irish's games, making 71 tackles and five interceptions and returning two of them for touchdowns. He returned two punts for TDs also. In 2006 he started all but one of the Irish's games, while accounting for 79 tackles. After the season, he was voted to the Associate Press' Third Team All American squad and was granted an extra year of eligibility. He started all twelve games during his senior season, making 80 tackles and two interceptions.

He is an experienced and intelligent player, always playing with something to prove. He is a real hard worker who is tough and aggressive, with enough speed (4.50-40) to run with tailbacks and tight ends in coverage. He is able to come quickly in run support situations and has a very good wrap technique. A playmaker who is well built, but he did not posses the speed to cover wide receivers. He has a poor recovery speed and is not agile or overly athletic, not is he fluid in the open field.

Zbikowski is an overachiever who gets by more on desire than pure athletic ability. He gets the most out of his talents. Although, he does not posses the necessary characteristic of an elite safety, his desire and intelligence will give him an opportunity to play in the next level. He really needs to impress scouts with a good running drill at the Combine. He has late round talent skills, but should be drafted higher because of his intangibles.