Notre Dame freshman cornerback Mark Zackery IV arrived on campus in June and has hit the ground running.
The Indiana native has focused on the little details of adjusting to college life and it’s paid off as it led to Zackery having a productive fall camp.
“Coming in earlier this summer, just having that early adjustment of class and football, so just knowing guys, getting around them and then just trying to learn as much as possible from the older guys,” Zackery stated.”With the fall camp thing, just making sure that I’m staying on top of my body, fluids, playbook, just so I can play as fast as possible when I get out there.”
At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Zackery doesn’t have the same imposing frame as preseason All-American Leonard Moore, but he’s earned consistent second-team reps and shown a knack for finding the football. Veterans like Moore and Christian Gray have helped accelerate his growth, especially with learning both the field and boundary positions.
“I feel like the main thing with me in talking to Christian (Gray), talking to Leonard and the older guys to get their perspective on why I’m doing it and me going out there playing a certain coverage,” explained Zackery. “Whether I’m playing Cover 2 or Cover 3, man, what type of leverage I’m playing, just knowing that, so I can play as fast as possible. I feel like that’s what has kept me out there and allowed me to do my job best.”
Zackery believes his ability to understand the mental piece of the game has allowed him to play fast. He’s played receiver at a high level, so that’s also an advantage in some cases.
“I feel like right now, it’s definitely just knowing what’s coming, based off splits, based off leverages,” stated Zackery. “I’m still trying to consistently work on that and then also my athleticism and my speed. I feel that’s one of the main reasons why I’m able to play the way I’m playing.
“Even if I have some of those doubts, I feel my speed can kind of make up for that and then my ball tracking ability, I feel like in high school, I was a 1,000-yard receiver, so just being able to track the ball. I feel like that’s a good part of my game.”
Now, Zackery still is a freshman and he admits he’s still learning every day. The game is still fast and there is much more to process, but the in-state product believes he’s close to finding a routine and it’s allowed him to slow down in all aspects of football.
“It’s a little bit better,” Zackery explained. “I feel like I’m getting into more of a routine, what I’m doing with my body, what I’m doing mentally with the playbook, talking with the players, having meetings with the coaches. I feel I’m getting into more of a routine. Obviously, the first week, my head was everywhere. I was trying to be perfect, but perfect isn’t a reality. So just trying to be my best self every day.
“Christian has told me, strive to perfect one thing every day. Don’t cloud your head trying to do a whole bunch of different things in one day. Just trying to strive to something new every day so you can build up every day.”
Zackery has also turned the interceptions or plays made into confidence builders. It’s not that he wasn’t confident in his ability, but every freshman wonders if they can play at this level, and Zackery proved that to the staff and himself during camp.
“When my instincts pop up and I’m making a break, making a play, I feel like I belong,” said Zackery. “I’ve had those doubts way back before like, ‘Do I belong at these big schools that I’m getting offers from?’ but when I’m in here watching the film and seeing myself on film and I’m out there, it’s more of a gradual thing where I’m like, ‘OK, if I keep doing my job and keep getting better at this and that every day, I feel I can be a great contributor here at Notre Dame.”
Notre Dame’s receivers have also made Zackery better. Zackery has faced Malachi Fields to KK Smith in practice, so he’s getting tested physically and athletically every play, but it’s also making him a complete player.
“It’s great,” Zackery stated. “The wideouts challenge me every day. Right now, I’m playing more in the field. I’m going back and working the boundary, so I’ve got to guard everybody. Going against the freshmen, they’re trying to adjust just like me. They’re doing just as good as everybody else. I feel like everybody is continually growing and getting better as we approach the first game.”
Who has been the toughest cover? Zackery believes several receivers will give defenses challenges this fall.
“Malachi is super strong,” said Zackery. EB (Elijah Burress) is super shifty. KK’s super fast. (Jordan) Faison can do everything. I really haven’t got to guard JG (Jaden Greathouse), he’s been in the slot. Micah Gilbert is super strong, tough hands. I feel like I’ve got a piece of everybody and everybody has their great aspect of their own game. It’s been tough to guard everybody.”
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