Jared Zabransky

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**Jared Zabransky**
Player Information


Position	Quarterback
Number	5
School	Boise State University
Bowl Games
Liberty Bowl (2004)
MPC Computers Bowl (2005)
Fiesta Bowl (2007)
NFL Draft
Not drafted yet
Teams Played For
Boise State Broncos

Jared Zabransky (born in Hermiston, Oregon) is an American football quarterback for the Boise State Broncos team. Zabransky, the son of a potato farmer, graduated from Hermiston High School and is majoring in social science. He is listed at 6'2" tall and a weight of 203 pounds. While considered an above-average passer, he is most noted for his scrambling ability. His 85 yard touchdown run on October 29, 2004 against Hawaii, set a school record for longest run. Zabransky led the team to two undefeated regular seasons as the starter. He is widely considered to be one of the best athletes in Boise State history.

1 Growing up
2 Early days with BSU
3 Starting quarterback
4 NFL Career
5 Trivia
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Growing up

Jared grew up in a potato farming family in Hermiston, Oregon. He attended Hermiston High School and was an outstanding three-sport athlete, competing in football, baseball, and basketball. Jared won Eastern Oregon's Athlete of the Year award his junior year in 2002. In addition to being on the Honor Roll, Zabransky showed his prowess on the gridiron by passing for 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns as team captain.

Jared said in an interview for IGN, "We'd just get bored and see how far we could throw [potatoes]. I'd say I could get one about 80 yards." For fun, Jared said they rode dirt bikes, played Tecmo Super Bowl, and play sports.

[edit] Early days with BSU

Zabransky, who goes by the nickname of "Z", redshirted during his first season with the Boise State Broncos in 2002. He served as backup to Ryan Dinwiddie that season, as well as in 2003, in which Jared completed 11-of-23 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown. .

[edit] Starting quarterback

Jared took the reins as starting quarterback for the Broncos in 2004. It was this season that he led Boise State to an 11-1 record, in which their only loss was to Louisville. He was named honorable mention All-America by Sports Illustrated, second-team All-WAC, and was voted the team's Most Valuable Player.

In 2005, he remained starting QB of Boise State's high-powered offense. While he did start all 13 games, he had what many consider an off-year. He passed for 2,562 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He was often benched in favor of backup quarterback Taylor Tharp due to his erratic play. Boise State's season opener against the Georgia Bulldogs was a disaster for Zabransky, in which he threw four interceptions in the first half, as well as committing a fumble. Despite having a subpar season for a player of his ability, he was able to help take Boise State to the MPC Computers Bowl on their home turf of Bronco Stadium in Boise to face the Boston College Eagles. After falling beind a 24-0 at the half, Boise State rallied, reducing Boston College's lead to 27-21 late in the 4th quarter. Hopes of a comeback were crushed, however, when Zabransky threw an interception in the Boston College endzone with 37 seconds remaining in the game. The Boise State Broncos finished the 2005 season with a 9-4 record.

Zabransky was named 11th best quarterback in the nation by The Sporting News, as well as being named to the 2006 Maxwell Award watch list. Jared resumed his job as starting quarterback for the 2006 season, his senior year. The season proved to be a resounding success for both Jared and Boise State. Zabransky led his team to a perfect 12-0 regular season record, capturing BSU's fifth consecutive WAC championship. Statistically, it was Jared's best season as well. He finished the regular season with 20 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions. The Boise State Broncos defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in overtime in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 1st, 2007 by a score of 43-42 in what is widely considered one of the best college football games ever. Zabransky helped his team into overtime by executing a last-second hook-and-ladder pass for the game-tying score. Then, in overtime, Zabransky executed a Statue of Liberty on the game-winning two-point conversion on a handoff to Ian Johnson, who took it in for the two points and the win. Zabransky was named 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl MVP.

[edit] NFL Career

Jared Zabransky worked out at the NFL Combine and was one of the fastest quarterbacks at the Combine. He topped all quarterbacks in the 40 with a 4.58 time and tied for first for quarterbacks and receivers in the 20-yard shuttle.

[edit] Trivia

Zabransky on the cover of the upcoming NCAA Football 08

Reportedly made a verbal commitment with the Idaho Vandals before being contacted by Boise State.

Jared told ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit in an interview that he could throw a potato 80 yards. The comment has been referenced in the video game NCAA Football 07 where Herbstriet will sometimes say "That reminds me of the time that kid at the Liberty Bowl told me he could throw a potato 80 yards."^[1]

Jared said, "It might not have been as romantic if we would have lost!" when he was asked about Ian Johnson proposing to cheerleader Chrissy Popadics after the Fiesta Bowl win.

On February 28, 2007 it was announced that Zabransky would grace the cover of EA's video game NCAA Football 08.[2] The key feature of the game is Leadership Control, where key players influence other players.