President Trump's Handshake, Evaluation Of Grey Zabel Resurfaces After Seahawks Draft Him In First Round

The Seattle Seahawks bolstered their violative statement Thursday by selecting Grey Zabel successful nan first information of nan draft.

The erstwhile North Dakota State standout will soon beryllium tasked pinch protecting first-year Seahawks backmost Sam Darnold. 

But arsenic attraction shifts to Zabel's future, his past relationship pinch President Donald Trump is besides coming backmost into focus.

Zabel and his North Dakota teammates visited Washington, D.C., April 9 successful ceremony of nan shot team's latest NCAA Division I FCS nationalist championship.

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North Dakota State University violative lineman Grey Zabel answers questions astatine a news convention during nan 2025 NFL Combine astatine nan Indiana Convention Center successful Indianapolis March 1, 2025. (Jacob Musselman/Imagn Images)

Before making their measurement to nan White House, a fewer delegates and a typical guest, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., delivered immoderate remarks. Some Bison shot players past reflected connected their tally to nan title.

Once they made it to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., President Trump yet met nan shot squad successful nan East Room. Trump addressed nan North Dakota State players and posed for photos. At 1 constituent during nan interaction, Zabel's teammates pointed him out. 

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"Who is nan champion player? Let's see, who are they pointing at?" Trump asked. "Biggest guy? Come here."

Zabel past approached nan president and shook his hand. 

"Is he that good?" Trump asked. "Wow. Boy, he's a large sucker huh?"

Trump past asked what position Zabel played, and nan 305-pound lineman replied, "Offensive line."

North Dakota State's shot squad besides visited nan White House during Trump's first term.

President Donald Trump receives a shot jersey pinch his sanction connected it from backmost Easton Stick arsenic he welcomes nan 2018 Division I FCS champs, nan North Dakota State Bison, successful nan Diplomatic Room of nan White House March 4, 2019, successful Washington, D.C. (Oliver Contreras/Pool/Getty Images)

Zabel started 41 games successful 5 seasons astatine each position connected nan violative statement isolated from center. He was an FCS All-American astatine near tackle arsenic a elder past season.

The 23-year-old started nan last 36 games of his collegiate profession and figures to slot successful connected nan interior of nan Seahawks' line, which is successful request of help. Zabel could quickly switch Seattle's starting near defender from past season, Laken Tomlinson, who is now a personnel of nan Houston Texans.

North Dakota State violative lineman Grey Zabel during nan 2025 NFL Scouting Combine astatine Lucas Oil Stadium successful Indianapolis March 2, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

The Seahawks are optimistic Zabel tin beryllium portion of nan solution for an violative statement that struggled mightily successful 2024. Last season, nan Seahawks surrendered 54 sacks, tied for 3rd astir successful the NFL. The Seahawks, who went 10-7 past play and won nan NFC West, ran nan immense mostly of their plays retired of nan shotgun formation.

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The versatile Zabel could slot successful astatine immoderate of nan 5 starting violative statement positions, but coach Mike Macdonald said he would commencement retired astatine guard.

"Hopefully, we find a location for him astatine 1 position, and he lives location for a really agelong clip for us," Macdonald said. "But I deliberation it conscionable speaks to his savvy. It’s not easy to find those guys that tin play interior and astatine tackle. So, he’s 1 of them, and he’s ours now."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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