UW football: Zalewski is on a mission
11:44 PM 12/19/02
Tom Mulhern Wisconsin State Journal

Mark Zalewski's freshman year at the University of Wisconsin was marked by a couple of things he never wants to get used to experiencing on the football field.

"First time in my career I've ever had to stand on the sidelines and watch," Zalewski said grumpily.

When he wasn't sidelined by a hamstring injury, Zalewski was relegated to practicing on the scout team, which meant no hitting. That's also anathema to him.

That's why Zalewski might have enjoyed the scrimmages for young players at the end of the first few bowl practices as much as anybody.

"I've been dying to hit some people," he said. "So, it's been really helping."

Zalewski, from Wausau East, was the backup middle linebacker and on just about every special team before pulling a hamstring about a week before the end of training camp.

He tried to come back prior to the third game against West Virginia but aggravated the injury, so the decision was made to redshirt him.

Although it was a crushing blow at the time, Zalewski is now philosophical about it. "It was really hard at first," he said. "Then I realized, my fifth year I'll probably be better than I was the first year."

Zalewski is a big part of what looks to be a bright future at linebacker for the Badgers. All three starters from this season will return next year, with seniors-to-be Alex Lewis (middle) and Jeff Mack (eagle), as well as sophomore LaMarr Watkins (outside).

UW will also likely be grooming at least one promising young player at each position. During bowl practices, Zalewski has been in the middle, with sophomore-to-be Elliot Goode at eagle and Reggie Cribbs, another freshman who is being redshirted, outside.

"They're young guys still," defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. "Even Alex has only been in the program one year, without a spring practice. But all those freshmen, we should be able to see them make progress through all these practices."

This year's highly acclaimed group of freshman linebackers has already produced one starter in Watkins and a backup in Goode, who got limited snaps on defense this year. Cribbs and Zalewski, regarded as the two top-ranked prospects coming in, each has four years of eligibility remaining.

Cribbs had a lingering stress fracture in one of his shins that required surgery prior to training camp. He was just cleared to return for bowl practices, taking part in individual drills but not doing much in team sessions.

"He's a kid who has a lot of confidence," Cosgrove said. "He thought he was going to come in here and light it up right away. Then when his situation happened, it was a big letdown for him.

"He's excited to be out here now. He's working through things. He hasn't done anything all year."

Just because Cribbs is now outside does not mean he will stay there. "We don't know exactly what we're going to do with him," Cosgrove said. "If he's one of the best inside linebackers or one of the best three linebackers (overall), we'll find a spot for him."

The coaches were encouraged by Zalewski's play in camp before he was injured. He moved to Madison a week after finishing high school and worked hard all summer to prepare for his shot.

Now, all those pent-up feelings from having to watch on the sidelines and not being allowed to hit anyone will be directed toward next spring and summer.

"I'm so excited coming into the spring and trying to earn a spot," Zalewski said. "Game time is just going to be crazy. I can't wait to get on the field in front of all those fans and try to prove something."