Jeremy Zuttah

Infobox NFLactive
name=Jeremy Zuttah


caption=Zuttah during his time at Rutgers
currentteam=Tampa Bay Buccaneers
currentnumber=76
currentpositionplain=Guard / Center
birthdate=birth date and age|1986|06|01
birthplace=Edison, New Jersey
heightft=6
heightin=4
weight=303
college=Rutgers
draftyear=2008
draftround=3
draftpick=83
pastteams=
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* 2x First-team All-Big East (2006-2007)
nfl=ZUT622937

Jeremy Kwazi Zuttah (born June 1, 1986 in city-state|Edison|New Jersey) is an American football offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Rutgers.

Early years

Zuttah started for three years at J. P. Stevens High School, becoming a highly-touted prospect and turning down several college football powers for Rutgers. [ [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-89802982.html "Sports Briefs"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", January 24, 2004. Accessed October 9, 2007. "Jeremy Zuttah of Edison's J.P. Stevens, rated the No. 34 best offensive guard in the country by Rivals.com, will attend Rutgers, according to his high school coach, Frank Zarro."] Zuttah's career followed in the footsteps of his older brother Jeff, who committed to the University of Michigan in 2003, but never played a down after team doctors became concerned about his sickle-cell anemia. Jeff later transferred to Stanford University.

College career

As a true freshman in 2004, Zuttah was a reserve player, appearing in nine games, with five starts at both tackle spots and left guard. In 2005, Zuttah started at left guard next to Pedro Sosa, forming a top combination that helped paved the way for Ray Rice during his freshman season. In 2006, Rutgers switched to a zone blocking scheme, and Zuttah subsequently moved to right tackle, in order to better utilize his athleticism in the scheme. Emerging as a vocal team leader, Zuttah earned all-Big East honors as the Rutgers offensive line only surrendered 8 sacks all season, the fewest in all of Division I-A, also ranking fifteenth in the nation in rushing.

In 2007, Zuttah was named to the preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy [ [http://www.scarletknights.com/football/news/release.asp?prID=5472 Four RU Football Standouts Named to Preseason Watch Lists] , www.scarletknights.com] and the Rotary Lombardi Award [ [http://www.scarletknights.com/football/news/release.asp?prID=5087 Zuttah Named to Rotary Lombardi Award Preliminary Watch List] , www.scarletknights.com] . He has been named a pre-season All-American by [http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/10876/2007-all-america-teams Athlon Sports] . He is considered a prospect for the 2008 NFL Draft, potentially having to move inside to guard or center. Zuttah was named to the 2007 Big East [http://www.scarletknights.com/football/news/release.asp?prID=6134 All-Academic] and All-Conference teams. An excellent student, Zuttah graduated Rutgers with an economics degree in 3.5 years. [ [http://www.northjersey.com/sports/RUs_Zuttah_keeps_head_level.html NorthJersey.com: providing local news, sports and classifieds for Northern New Jersey! ] ]

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zuttah was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed a multi-year contract with the team on July 22.

References

External links

* [http://buccaneers.com/team/playerdetail.aspx?player=Zuttah,Jeremy,76 Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio]