Player Profile: Michael Zunica
#44 Michael Zunica
Position: Fullback
Height: 5-11
Weight: 231
Class: Senior
Hometown: Palos Park, Ill.
High School: St. Rita of Cascia HS
Previous School: Columbia
Career Honors: 2015: All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (coaches); Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (spring). 2013: Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (fall and spring).
2015 (Jr.): A versatile player who seeks contact… Switched from linebacker to a blocking full back midway through the season… Played in all 12 games, starting four against Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma and TCU… South Dakota State: Saw time, but did not record any statistics… Memphis: Saw time, but did not record any statistics… at Rutgers: Saw action on the offensive side of the ball, substituting in to block in short-yardage situations… at Iowa State: Started on offense to block out of the backfield… Baylor: Started his second-straight game on the offensive side of the ball… Texas Tech: Saw time, but did not record any statistics… at Oklahoma State: Saw time on offense, but did not record any statistics… Oklahoma: Started at full back, but did not record any statistics… at Texas: Saw action, but did not record any statistics… at TCU: Saw time at full back and on special teams, but did not record any statistics… West Virginia: Started at full back, but did not record any statistics… K-State: Rotated in at fullback, but did not record any statistics.
2014 (So.): Saw time in 9-of-12 games in a reserve linebacker and special teams role in 2014… at K-State: Saw extended playing time, where he made his first career tackle.
2013 (RFr.): Sat out the season due to NCAA transfer rules.2012 (Fr. at Columbia): Redshirted his first season at Columbia.
High School: A two-year letterwinner at St. Rita of Cascia HS... Played fullback and running back... A team captain his senior year... Earned First Team All-Chicago Catholic League honors in 2011... Also named First Team Academic All-State as a senior... As a senior, rushed for 443 yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries... Also had 19 receptions for 154 yards and two TDs... Helped lead St. Rita to the state 7A semifinals in both his junior and senior seasons... Played for head coach Todd Kuska at St. Rita... Earned three letters playing baseball and one letter playing basketball... Played baseball for his father, Michael, and helped lead his team to the 4A state championship game his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Personal: Son of Michael and Jacqueline Zunica... His father, Michael, played baseball at St. Xavier... Majoring in business administration.