Tom Zbikowski Will Play in the NFL

May 12, 2008 - The PRCUA is proud to congratulate and recognize Tom Zbikowski, a member of PRCUA St. Florian Society #408, the son of Edmund and Susan Zbikowski and the grandson of Wanda Zbikowski - all of whom are PRCUA members. Tom was recently chosen to play as a free safety for the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League. He was picked in Round 3, and was #23 out of 86. He’ll likely step in as Baltimore’s third safety right away, replacing Gerome Sapp.

This amazing athlete plays with an aggressiveness and intensity that can result in big hits and big plays. His intelligence and versatility make him well-rounded against the pass and run. He has earned a reputation as a consistent performer at Notre Dame, totaling 300 tackles - at least 70 in each season. Standing six feet tall and weighing 210 lbs., his hometown is Arlington Heights, IL. He graduated from Buffalo Grove High School and Notre Dame University, where he played both strong safety and free safety.

HIGH SCHOOL - At Buffalo Grove High School, Zbikowski earned USA Today first-team All-American Honors and was named Chicago Area Player of the Year as a senior by the Chicago Sun-Times. He ranked 11th on the Detroit Free Press Best of the Midwest Team, rated 29th on the ESPN list of the nation's top 100 players and was Gatorade Player of the Year for Illinois.

Tom was named to the Illinois All-State team by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign News-Gazette. He was selected Great Northwest Defensive Player of the Year by the Pioneer Press, as he set Buffalo Grove career records for points scored (274), touchdowns (45), rushing attempts (406), rushing yards (2,013) and passing attempts (484).

A 3-year starter at quarterback and safety who also returned punts and kickoffs, Tom played defensive back in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, making 5 tackles and breaking up 2 passes. As a senior in 2002, he threw for 1,382 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 1,287 yards and 23 scores (Buffalo Grove single-season record), adding 41 tackles and 3 interceptions at safety. He was a sprinter on the track team, finishing 6th in the 100 meters at the Illinois state prep track championships in 2002. He set 11 school records in track and field, including the 100 meters at 10.4 seconds.

FOUGHT AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN- Tom is a nationally-ranked boxer who has competed in the Golden Gloves program since age 9, achieving a 60-13 amateur record. A Silver Gloves national finalist from 1998-2000, he was named Regional Boxer of the Year. When asked “What's your proudest moment off the field?” Tom replied, “Fighting at Madison Square Garden.” He made his professional boxing debut on June 10, 2006, in Madison Square Garden in New York City, knocking out Robert Bell in 49 seconds! The bout was televised on Cable TV.

COLLEGE - Zbikowski enrolled at Notre Dame University in 2003, playing on the scout team as a strong safety after turning down scholarship offers from Arizona State, Boston College, Nebraska and Iowa. He took over strong safety chores in 2004, going on to start his next 48 consecutive games. He ranked 4th on the team with 70 tackles (37 solo), as he caused 2 fumbles and recovered another for a 75-yard touchdown return, adding 22 yards on an interception return and a pass deflection.

As a sophomore, Tom took over punt return duties, ranking 13th in the nation with 379 yards and two scores on 27 attempts (14-yard average). He returned two interceptions for touchdowns, gaining 136 yards on five interceptions while breaking up four other passes. He caused a fumble and delivered 71 tackles (42 solo) with a sack.

Tom struggled early in 2006 with left shoulder and neck strains that forced him to miss the Stanford clash. He was a Walter Camp All-American and served as one of three team captains, as he totaled 79 tackles (44 solo). He caused a fumble that he recovered for a 25-yard score and deflected 2 passes. He averaged 9 yds. on 16 punt returns, including 1 for a touchdown and had 5 kickoff returns for a 21.7-yd. avg.

As a Notre Dame senior, Tom was a Thorpe Award semifinalist. He registered a career-high 80 tackles (42 solo) with a sack, as the team captain he caused 3 fumbles and recovered 2 others. He picked off 2 passes and returned 23 punts for 234 yards (10.2-yds. avg.).

In 48 games at Notre Dame, Tom became the 7th player in school annals to record 300 tackles (165 solo) in a career, adding 2 sacks for minus-18 yards and 6 stops for losses of 25 yds. He caused 7 fumbles and recovered 4 others, returning 2 for a total of 100 yards and a pair of scores. He deflected 8 passes and intercepted 8 others for 199 yards in returns (24.9-yard average) and 2 touchdowns. Tom filled a variety of roles for the Irish, especially as emotional leader of a young defense. In what turned into one of the worst seasons ever by a Notre Dame team, he guided a secondary that ranked second in the nation, allowing only 161.58 yards per game in 2007.

Tom has excelled playing inside the box, but has also proven to be a capable punt returner. With his natural instincts for the ball, he holds a rare distinction for having scored on an interception return, punt return and fumble return. He has also returned kickoffs and saw action briefly as a tailback during his final campaign.

By the time he hung up his Fighting Irish uniform, the two-time team captain scored 7 career touchdowns (3 punt returns, 2 interception returns and 2 fumble returns). He is tied for most career punt returns for a touchdown in school history (along with Tim Brown, Nick Rassas, Allen Rossum and Ricky Watters), in addition to being tied for first in career fumble returns for a touchdown (Tony Driver). Tom tied for 5th in interception returns for a touchdown.

On special teams, he gained 757 yds. on 66 punt returns (11.5-yd. avg.), including 3 touchdowns. He returned 6 kickoffs for 97 yds. (16.2 avg.) and carried 3 times for no gain.

Not only is Tom an outstanding athlete, but folks who know him report that he is also a “nice guy.” He is close to his family, including his sister and brother, and he’s proud of his Polish heritage. It would be so easy for him to rationalize that he needs to change his last name to make it easier for the media to pronounce and spell. However, instead, he is proud of his Polish name and he expects the media to learn how to spell and pronounce it correctly!

Tom is a caring person who has spoken to many youth groups, encouraging the youngsters to follow their dreams and strive for excellence - regardless of where their interests lie.

The PRCUA is very proud of our member, Tom Zbikowski, and we wish him well. “Go, Tom!”