Utah Utes football: Tackle Zane Beadles does it right

SALT LAKE CITY — Zane Beadles is a big man who does things in a big way. Whether it's on or off the field, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound left tackle produces on a grand scale.

In football, the senior became just the 14th player in University of Utah history to be named a first-team All-American by the nation's college football writers.

In the classroom, the academic All-American just earned his degree in mechanical engineering.

"For 4 1/2 years he's done nothing but everything right," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "He's a hard worker. He's dedicated on and off the field ... Zane Beadles is the epitome of student-athlete."

Beadles, who is expected to be an early round pick in next year's National Football League draft, is also a team captain and a four-year starter.

"I expected to come in and maybe have a solid career, play two or three years. I got an opportunity early on to start, made the best of it and ran with it," he said. "I achieved more here than I ever thought I would."

Besides the individual accolades, Beadles has enjoyed great team success as well. He played a pivotal role on Utah's 13-0 Sugar Bowl championship team and is part of a senior class seeking its 40th victory at next week's Poinsettia Bowl against California.

"You recruit everybody with high hopes and high aspirations," Whittingham said of the former Hillcrest High star. "Zane has certainly panned out and has just had a great experience at Utah."

Beadles, by his own admission, lives in the moment and tries to focus on the task at hand.

"I just try to take one thing at a time. Whatever I'm doing at the time I'm into that fully," he said. "I try to separate things the best I can between football, academics, social life or whatever."

According to Beadles' roommate of four years — former Utah All-America kicker/punter Louie Sakoda — he's determined to excel in all areas.

"We've always been competitive with school, with performance on the field, and at the same time we have the focus, we have that drive and we just feed off that with each other," Sakoda said before noting Beadles' accomplishments. "I couldn't be more proud. There's no one more deserving than him."

The All-Americans have formed quite a bond.

"It's awesome. We always push each other to be the best we can in everything we do from academics to dealing with our families and football," Beadles said. "He's my best friend. He'll be the best man at my wedding."

A marriage, though, isn't pending. Beadles has other things on his list of things to do right now — starting with extending Utah's bowl win streak to nine games. The NFL follows.

"That's the plan," he said. "I'll have my degree in hand and will be able to focus on the NFL. Hopefully that works out."