Jared Zabransky

Infobox NFLactive
name=Jared Zabransky


width=
currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=--
currentposition=Quarterback
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|12|4
birthplace=Hermiston, Oregon
heightft=6
heightin=2
weight=219
debutyear=
debutteam=
college=Boise State
undraftedyear=2007
pastteams=
* Houston Texans (2007)*
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2008)*:*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
status=
highlights=
* Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP (2007)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=TD-INT
statvalue1=--
statlabel2=Passing yards
statvalue2=--
statlabel3=QB Rating
statvalue3=--
nfl=ZAB660691

Jared Zabransky (born December 4, 1983 in Hermiston, Oregon) is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Boise State.

Zabransky has also been a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is perhaps best known for his performance in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, for which he was named Most Valuable Player.

Early years

Jared grew up in a farming family in Hermiston, Oregon. He attended Hermiston High School and was an outstanding three-sport athlete, competing in football, baseball, and basketball. Zabransky won Eastern Oregon's Male 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.

College career

2002-2003

Zabransky was redshirted in 2002, his first season at Boise State. He backed-up Ryan Dinwiddie in 2003, in which Jared completed 11-of-23 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown.

2004

Zabransky took the reins as the Broncos' starting quarterback in 2004. It was this season that he led Boise State to an 11-1 record; the 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.

2005

In 2005, he remained in charge of the Broncos' high-powered offense. While he did start all 13 games, he had what many consider an off-year. He passed for 2,562 yards and threw 18 touchdowns. But he also threw 16 interceptions and was occasionally benched in favor of backup quarterback Taylor Tharp. 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, Idaho to face Boston College. 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.

2006

Jared 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. Zabransky 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 23 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions. The Boise State Broncos defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in overtime in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 1, 2007 by a score of 43-42. Zabransky helped his team into overtime by executing a last-minute hook and lateral for the game-tying touchdown. 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 Offensive Player of the Game.

Interceptions

Zabransky became known for throwing interceptions in big moments. In the Liberty Bowl, Sophomore Zabransky threw an interception on a drive that would have taken the lead at the end of the game. The very next year, the Junoir quarterback threw a game ending interception in the MPC Computers Bowl against Boston Colloge. With under two minutes left in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Zabransky threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Marcus Walker. It appeared that Boise State would lose their 3rd straight bowl game at the hands of Zabransky, but the senoir quaterback battled back, putting together a remarkable drive to send the game in overtime. Zabransky rose up and redeemed himself from the mistakes that were made in the two previous bowls.

Out of the Blue

Part of Jared Zabransky's story can be seen in the film Out of the Blue: A Film About Life and Football at Boise State. The film tells Zabransky's story and the story of several other underdogs who were over looked by College Football's elite programs.

Professional career

Houston Texans

Zabransky was not chosen in the 2007 NFL Draft. However, on April 30, 2007 he signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans. [cite web | url=http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-apr3007-zabransky.23368511.html | title=UPDATE: A dozen Broncos go pro as of Monday | author=Burke, Kerith | date=2007-04-30 | publisher=KTVB.com Idaho News Now | accessdate=2007-08-30] He was issued uniform number 15. He was released on August 31, 2007; however, on September 3, 2007 Zabransky was selected to be a member of the practice squad. However, unlike most coaches who prefer to have three quarterbacks on the active roster, Head Coach Gary Kubiak prefers having two quarterbacks and cut Zabranksy on September 18 2007.

Pittsburgh Steelers

On February 5, 2008, Zabransky signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he was waived on July 2.

Media

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 games NCAA Football 07 and NCAA Football 08 where Herbstreit will sometimes say "That reminds me of the time that kid at the Liberty Bowl told me he could throw a potato 80 yards." [cite web | url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/310/story/39890.html | title=Boise State Football Camp Report: 'Z' comment immortalized | author=Cripe, Chadd | date=2006-10-31 | publisher=IdahoStatesman.com | accessdate=2007-08-30] Herbstreit was a color commentator at the 2004 Liberty Bowl, Zabransky's first Bowl game as a starter.

On February 28, 2007 it was announced that Zabransky would grace the cover of EA's video game "NCAA Football 08". [cite web | url=http://www.maddenmania.com/articles/2007/02/jared-zabransky-coverman022807.html | title=Jared Zabransky to be the NCAA 2008 Coverman | author=Sanner, Chris | date=2007-02-28 | publisher=MaddenMania.com | accessdate=2007-08-30] He is the second of the game's cover athletes to date to go undrafted, after its first feature athlete, Tommie Frazier on College Football USA 97.

References

External links

* [http://www.broncosports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48552&SPID=4061&DB_OEM_ID=9900&ATCLID=521854&Q_SEASON=2006 Boise State Broncos bio]
* [http://news.steelers.com/team/player/87241 Pittsburgh Steelers bio]