Chris Zorich

Bio

With the strength to bench press 455 pounds and the speed to run the 40 in 4.68 seconds, Chris Zorich had all the physical attributes to be a great defensive lineman. His dominance made him the regular subject of double-team blocks. Chris Zorich came to Notre Dame from the same high school that produced Dick Butkus. And like Butkus, he played linebacker. In his freshman year Zorich began at linebacker but was moved to nose tackle early in the season. Learning a new position, he red-shirted. Despite his total lack of experience, Zorich became a first-team All-America in his first varsity season. In his first game he had one and a half sacks and ten tackles against Michigan. He finished the year third on the team in tackles as Notre Dame went undefeated and won the national championship. Chris followed his initial season with a consensus All-America year in 1989 as he had three double-digit tackle games. Zorich was also one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award. in his final year, Zorich won the Lombardi Award and was recognized as a unanimous All-America. In the final game of his collegiate career he was the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the Orange Bowl. Drafted by his hometown team, he spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and later the Washington Redskins.

Career Highlights

• 1990 Lombardi Award winner
• 1990 Unanimous All America
• 1989 Consensus All-America
• 1988 First Team All-America