Prior to Western Carolina: Played along both the offensive and defensive line ... Named to the High School Sports Report (HSSR)-South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) Class AAA All-State team ... Credited with 61 total tackles as a senior including 22 solo stops and 8.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks ... High school coach was Rick Reetz.
Academic Notes: Major is exercise science…2012 Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete recipient…2013: Started in nine games, and appeared in all 12…Had 4.5 tackles for loss of 27 yards…Had two sacks, one against Northern Colorado and Idaho State…Had a season-high five tackles against the University of Arizona…Recorded at least four tackles in three games… Recorded 16 unassisted tackles for a total of 24 on the season…Was credited with one pass break up and one quarterback hurry...2012: Named the team’s Defensive Freshman and Comeback Player of the Year…Started in one game, appeared in seven…Recorded 16 tackles on the season…Had a season-high four tackles versus Southern Utah…Had four tackles for loss…Registered three sacks on the season for 14 yards…Had a pair of sacks at Montana…2011: Redshirted...Named Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year at team banquet…High School: A 2011 graduate of Poway High School…Played for Damian Gonzalez…Three-year letter winner and two-year starter…Had 49 tackles and 15 receptions for 250 yards as a senior…Named All-Palomar League first-team at tight end…Named Male Athlete of the Year at school…Set career record for most varsity letters…Also three-year letter winner in soccer and track…Had 230 career saves with 17 shutouts as the goalkeeper…Posted a 49-9 personal best in the shot put…Personal: Born Zachary John McDonnell May 13, 1993 in Poway, Calif…Son of John and Lynette McDonnell…Has one brother, Robert, and one sister, Tessa.
