The Unpacking Future Packers countdown is a countdown of the 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft.
When Zion Tupuola-Fetui takes the field against the Texas Longhorns on New Year's Day, it may be the last time the edge rusher wears a Washington Husky uniform. If so, it was a trip for the former three-star recruit from Hawaii.
During his first season on campus, ZTF played in just two games to maintain his redshirt status. It was not until the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season that the ZTF began its first collegiate play. In just four games he recorded seven sacks and 20 pressures.
Then, in spring ball prior to the 2021 season, he tore his Achilles tendon. He returned after missing five games to open the season and recorded one sack before missing the final two games with a concussion.
In 2022, ZTF recorded 4.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 32 pressures. He entered the College Football Playoff game against Texas with five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 24 pressures. It's the season where ZTF lost his father midway through the season.
Zion Tupuola-Fetui, whose father died just a month ago, was emotional as he ran to hug his mother before the game ❤️
It would have been his mother and father's 26th anniversary today 💔🙏 pic.twitter.com/h7STMOyHjH
– Fox College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 25, 2023
““Zion has been an important part of the pass rush scheme,” University of Wisconsin writer Roman Tomashov told SI.com. “With a lot of young guys behind him, he was asked to play a lot of snaps and did a great job, especially developing the run support.”
The big hurdle for ZTF during the pre-draft process will be his medical. After suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the spring of 2021, the UW edge rusher is back to normal. A few years after that injury, the former three-star recruit had his best season since his breakout 2020 campaign.
Good to see #Washington DE/LB Zion Tupuola-Fetui (#58) returned to the field on Saturday after tearing his Achilles tendon just 6 months ago.
Still dude. pic.twitter.com/kn5VgQn7PM
– Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 18, 2021
“He has shown a lot more athleticism this season and has been really impressive in his debut,” Tomasov said. “He lined up all over the formation to show off his athleticism, and even took some quick pass snaps as he lined up at inside linebacker.”
The ZTF has enough initial speed off the piston and turns speed into power. He has strong, active hands. The former three-star recruit shows natural instincts for the pass rush and has a deep bag of tricks to go after the quarterback. He uses his long strides to quickly close down on the quarterback.
“He brings a lot of speed,” Tomasov said. “Although he has lost some of the strength he played with at 280 pounds, he has developed a quick passing scheme and has improved with countermoves.”
ZTF is an inconsistent tuning tool. He's solid at the point of attack, but the consistency from snap to snap is lacking. He can get thin and shoot gaps to disrupt movement in the backfield.
“He emphasized the commitment to setting the edge throughout the spring and fall,” Tomashov said. “Although it is still obvious, he has made great strides in this area.”
Suit up with the Packers
No team can ever have enough pass rushers, and as it stands, the Green Bay Packers have a tremendous collection of high-end pass rushers. Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lucas Van Ness, and Kingsley Inagbare are all set to return next season, and it's safe to assume that Van Ness will see an uptick in snaps during his second year in the league.
What if the Packers move on from Smith? The veteran edge rusher will turn 32 in March and could end up being a cap casualty. Furthermore, the Packers may be comfortable moving Van Ness into a starting role next season.
No matter what happens with Smith, if a team thinks they have enough edge rushers, they should add another team as insurance. ZTF is slated to be a Day 3 pick and will provide Green Bay with quality depth and a player who previously looked like a potential top-50 pick before suffering a torn Achilles.
On top of everything ZTF brings to the football field, he is a leader and a player who will likely interview well during the pre-draft process.
“I think he can be a really good rotation piece along the defensive line as a pass rusher,” Tomashov said. “Zion has matured over the last few seasons and grown as a leader, offering a lot in terms of his potential as he appears to still be learning to play at a lighter weight.”
ZTF projects as a rotational edge rusher. With his pass rush upside, the Packers could roll the dice on a Washington edge rusher on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft as they look to add more depth on the edge.
