Bashir Gets the Ball Rolling

Ohio football fans will remember Doug Rippy’s story and how he exploded on to the radar with a big showing at the Army Combine a year ago. This year Zakee Bashir from Walnut Ridge is looking to do the same thing after impressing enough to be named as a member of the Scout.com U.S. Army All-Combine team.

Zakee Bashir, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker from Walnut Ridge High in Ohio was impressive enough to catch Scout.com’s eye in the one-on-one portion of the U.S. Army All-American Combine to earn All-Combine status.

Bashir has yet to reel in scholarship offer number one, but he is already getting tracked by a number of BCS level programs.

“I am getting a lot of mail from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Penn State,” Bashir informed. “I am also hearing from Maryland, Illinois, Syracuse, and Stanford.”

Bashir has not yet got his highlight film in mainstream circulation, but he was able to break down his strongest assets.

“I would say because I play a position where I am lined up at defensive end a lot that I am quick with my first step off of the line,” Bashir acknowledged. “I use my hands well to shed my blockers and I have the lateral speed to patrol sideline to sideline and cover running backs out of the backfield. I also feel I do a good job at reading my keys.”

“I think I play a lot like Vernon Gholston at Ohio State. He does a lot of stuff I do. He can play standing up or he can rush the passer.”

Bashir may have grew up watching the home town program, but he is going to be looking at a wide array of programs before choosing a school.

“Being from Ohio I grew up watching OSU and wanting to play in the Big 10,” Bashir stated. “I do not really know anybody that is playing football in college right now so I am pretty open to playing wherever, but I always grew up watching the Buckeyes. I just felt like I got to know most of their guys from seeing them talk on T.V. and listening to the press conferences.”

‘I am definitely looking to play somewhere I can get my education.”

As junior, Bashir compiled up 56 tackles and nine sacks to earn All-City and Honorable Mention All-District.