Chris Zellner

CAREER: Versatile junior saw valuable playing time at tight end, H-back and fullback in 2006…Was moved to tight end during spring practice in 2005 after starting his UM career as a defensive end, then turned into an H-back and fullback in 2006…In two seasons has played in 21 games, with eight starts…Considered the team’s best blocker out of the backfield…Was the team’s No. 3 tight end in 2005…Noted more as a blocker at tight end but also possesses a good ability to catch the ball…Has long arms, allowing him to control opposing defenders…Has fine speed for a tight end…Geography and regional studies major.

2006 (SOPHOMORE): Played in 11 games as a reserve tight end, H-back and fullback…Caught eight passes for 31 yards and scored his first touchdown…Started in a two-tight end formation in the season opener vs. Florida State, catching one pass for one yard…Started in a two-tight end offense against FAMU…Did not start at Louisville, but played tight end and H-back. Suffered a high ankle sprain and left the game…Missed the Houston and North Carolina games…Returned to play tight end, H-back and on special teams against FIU. Caught a one-yard TD pass from Kyle Wright for his only reception of the game and second score of his career…At Duke, started at tight end because of Greg Olsen’s concussion. Caught two passes for 14 yard…Started in a three-tight end formation along with Greg Olsen and DajLeon Farr at Georgia Tech, catching two passes for five yards…Started in a two-tight end formation vs. Virginia Tech, catching one pass for one yard…At Maryland, started in a two-tight end and two-WR formation. Caught one pass for nine yards…Started in a two-tight end formation at Virginia but did not have any receptions…Did not start the last two games vs. Boston College and Nevada but played tight end, H-back and fullback.

2005 (FRESHMAN): Played as the No. 3 tight end most of the season, moving into the backup role for two games…Played in 10 games, starting one time in a two-tight end formation…Played in his first game as a Hurricane in two-tight end formations in the season opener at FSU…Played as the backup tight end for the first time vs. South Florida with Buck Ortega injured…Made his first start in a two-tight end formation in place of an injured Ortega against Duke. Also made his first reception, catching a nine-yard pass from Kirby Freeman for a touchdown…Played as a blocking tight end and on special teams for the remainder of the regular season…Did not play in the Peach Bowl.

2004 (REDSHIRT): Redshirted as a true freshman…Practiced as a member of the scout teams.

HIGH SCHOOL: A standout as both a tight end and defensive end…On offense, showed impressive pass-catching ability but was a standout as a blocker…A SuperPrep All-American…Rated the nation’s No. 3 tight end by SuperPrep…Rated the No. 23 prospect in Florida by SuperPrep…Rated the nation’s No. 5 tight end prospect by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report…Named to the Sarasota Tribune’s Sarasota Defensive Player of the Year for 2003…As a senior in 2003, made 60 tackles, including 19 sacks and 13 tackles for losses…Also caught 19 passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns at tight end…As a junior in 2002, caught eight passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns on offense and made 47 tackles, had 19 sacks, caused seven fumbles and had nine tackles for losses on defense…Chose Miami over Clemson, Ohio State, Maryland and Pittsburgh…Coached by Fred Gilmore.

CHRIS ZELLNER’S CAREER STATISTICS