Zach Sterup

6-8, 265, OL, Hastings, Neb. (Hastings St. Cecilia HS)

 

Zach Sterup is one of several players from the state of Nebraska in the Cornhuskers' 2011 recruiting class. Sterup is also a key part of an impressive group of offensive line prospects joining the NU program. Sterup has been a standout performer for Coach Carl Tesmer at Hastings St. Cecilia High School, helping the Bluehawks to back-to-back state championships in 2009 and 2010. This past season, Sterup led an offensive line that paved the way for better than 3,500 rushing yards en route to a second straight 13-0 season. In addition to his dominant play on the offensive line, Sterup also saw time on defense and racked up 58 tackles and four sacks. Sterup was a first-team All-Nebraska pick by the Omaha World-Herald and a Super State selection according to the Lincoln Journal Star. He was also the honorary captain of the C-2 all-state team by both newspapers. Sterup also earned first-team defensive all-state honors in Class C-1 as a junior, helping St. Cecilia to a perfect campaign before they moved classes in 2010. Sterup is regarded as one of the top 30 offensive tackle prospects in the country by Rivals.com, which also lists him as the top player in the state of Nebraska. He is also regarded as one of the top 25 overall players in the Midlands Region by SuperPrep Magazine. At 6-8, Sterup is among the tallest Husker recruits ever, with 6-8 offensive tackle Tom Punt (1988-90) the tallest known football letterwinner in school history. Sterup is an outstanding athlete and uses his skills on the hardwood, where he is among the team leaders in scoring and rebounding and has helped the Bluehawks to a 12-5 record through the end of January. St. Cecilia has captured three straight Class C-1 basketball titles from 2008 to 2010. Sterup only visited Nebraska but had numerous other offers, including  Iowa, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Stanford and UCLA. Sterup was born on May 14, 1992, and is the son of Doug Sterup and Mary Sterup-Walsh.