Mason Zabel '25 Recruiting Profile

I was raised in Spain for 15 years, but I am an American born in Costa Rica. For most of my academic years, I attended an all-Spanish-speaking school until I transferred to a private British English-speaking school in Spain to prepare me for American high school. I am fluent in English, Spanish, and Valenciano and speak basic German. For my university studies, I will pursue engineering and international business.

I started playing soccer at the age of 5 and started basketball in middle school. When I permanently moved back to the States in my sophomore year, I was able to prove myself in football, playing WR and CB on the varsity team and winning the 2022 3A New Mexico State Championship. Then, in my junior and now my senior year, I have been playing TE, CB, K, and P. I attended Jamie Kohl’s Spring Break 1-on-1 kicking, punting, and snapping camp, where I learned proper technique and made impressive strides in my kicking game. I have consistently made 40-yard field goals, with my furthest being 50 yards. I have also been to a QB Impact camp where I worked on my defensive skills as a CB and my offensive skills as a TE. 

I have been told by my coaches that I am a dedicated, coachable player who shows not only physical talent but also mental talent to think on the field. I am a captain of my football team and feel one of my superpowers is being a strong team player and leader, which I contribute to having had to communicate through different languages and cultures throughout the years. I am a competitor at heart, and I pride myself on seeking discomfort to continue to grow.

I have also run track since my sophomore year and have developed my speed each season, leading me to run a 53-second split in the 4x400 relay at the state championships. My speed work on the track has translated to me feeling a significant increase in my speed on the field.