Trainer | 2023 Notre Dame Target Preston Zinter's Work Ethic "Unmatched"

Erik Kaloyanides is convinced Preston Zinter‍ has the athletic ability to succeed at the next level, but the President & CEO of Athletic Evolution in Wilmington, Mass., has no doubt the 2023 Massachusetts athlete has the attitude to do so.

“His work ethic is unmatched,” Kaloyanides says. “Let me tell you something right now, this kid is five days a week, two and a half hours a day just with me. Never mind what he's doing with his football position skillwork and his on-field work and so forth. His motor doesn't end.”

Zinter received an offer from Notre Dame back in June and after an unofficial visit later that month, has plans to be back in South Bend for next week’s BBQ.

He doesn’t feel he’s in the shadow of his brother – Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter – in any way, according to Kaloyanides, but Zak has certainly paved a path.

“He's got a great role model in his brother, who's teaching him and letting him know, 'This is the amount of work it's going to take for you to do what you want to do,’” Kaloyanides says. “He's seen it firsthand. It's a little bit easier to have an understanding of what it's going to take.

“That being said, there's a big difference between having an understanding and then being willing to put in the work and the sacrifices to go get it. That's one thing I can tell you, I am so impressed with about Preston is that this is his number one priority and he doesn't let anything get in the way of it.”

The younger Zinter’s work with Kaloyanides dates back before he was even in high school.

“He's an amazing young man,” Kaloyanides says. “That's what I love most about him. He's humble. He understands that this is just the beginning.”

Zinter has certainly made a name for himself already, scoring scholarship offers from schools like Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, Georgia, LSU and USC among many others.

“He's got great athleticism,” Kaloyanides says. “He’s a shade under 6-3 and 225 pounds and runs a high-4.5 and is explosive and strong. I think he is a kid that has some position versatility.

“He's a kid that comes from a great family, obviously with his brother Zak and how well he's doing and so forth. Every chance he's had to put his name out there, he's done it in full force and people have taken notice and it's been really fun to watch.”

Zinter could play on either side of the ball at the next level and Kaloyanides believes it’ll depend on his ultimate frame.

“Let's just say he stayed here and didn't get any taller at all, maybe some guys are looking at him as an h-back, as a move tight end, as an outside linebacker,” he says. “The good news is he's athletic enough to do it all, so there's no concerns.

“But, does he have one more growth spurt in him? If he does and he's a 6-5 kid, then I think he's a tight end. I think the fact that he is athletic enough and has the hips to be able to actually have serious looks as both a tight end and a linebacker is impressive.”