St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
April 21, 2009

Column: QUESTIONS WITH BOB SANSEVERE

DRAFT PRODIGY NOTHING TO MOCK
Author: Bob Sansevere Edition: St. Paul
Section: Sports
Page: B1

INTERVIEW SHAWN ZOBEL

Shawn Zobel is his generation's version of Mel Kiper Jr. Just 19 years old, he has a Web site called draftheadquarters.com and has published a 160-page NFL draft preview. In an e-mail to the Pioneer Press, he said, "My story is one that is unique and you won't find anywhere else." He also boasted "as an 18-year-old, my mock draft beat" Kiper's last year, and "my mock draft was the best in the nation." Young Mr. Zobel has no lack of self-confidence. I talked to him about that confidence, his future and his take on this weekend's draft.

BS: Based on your e-mail, you appear to be a cocky young fella. Are you always like that, or is it an attempt to bring attention to yourself and your Web site?

SZ: Based on some of the things I've put out there, it kind of comes out as cocky. I'm definitely very confident. Being 19, it's been hard for me to gain exposure and credibility. A lot of people pretty much blow me off because they don't think I'm ! as credible. A lot of times, people won't respond to e-mails. Putting information out there as direct as possible might be the best way to get it out there. I want to show people what I've been able to do. I guess it does come off as being cocky. I'm not cocky, but I am confident. I'm 19. I've written three (draft guide) books. But I can't even get on radio stations in my market.

BS: All because of the age thing?

SZ: I was an intern at KFAN, but they wouldn't let me on the air. That's what is so ironic. I was interning for the "Sludge and Lake" show. This was probably early March. Sludge (Cory Cove) played a clip from Todd McShay's mock draft. I said, "You know, I have a draft business. You know that I beat Todd McShay two years in a row (in draft projections)." Sludge blew me off because of my age and didn't think I had any credibility. That's why I have to act confidently and sometimes come off as being borderline cocky.

BS: How long have you been a draf! tnik?

SZ: I've been going to New York for the NFL draft ! since 20 04, when I was in the eighth grade. I've gone with my dad. I'm going with a friend this year.

BS: Are you to NFL draft predictions what Beethoven was to music -- a prodigy?

SZ: I do some writing for a magazine called "Blitz." They actually said I'm a draft prodigy. I wouldn't say that.

BS: Is Mel Kiper Jr. sort of a god to you?

SZ: I wouldn't say he's a god. He's obviously somebody I look up to, because he's been doing it so long and he definitely knows what he's doing. My goal always has been to have my accuracy around where his is. Mock drafts are based on player-to-team selections. I had 10 of the team selections right. He had seven. Kiper was 17 when he started. I started when I was 17. I guess there are a lot of similarities there. I used to buy Mel's draft guide.

BS: Do you throw a hissy fit, like Kiper, when a team doesn't pick the guy you projected they would?

SZ: (Laughs.) I wouldn't say hissy fit. The NFL draft is about excitemen! t. When a team goes off track and takes a player you don't expect, I think it's exciting. When the Lions take a receiver for the third year in a row, it's shocking. I see the mock draft as really important. But the excitement is half of the fun.

BS: A lot of people think the Vikings will take an offensive tackle. Your mock draft has the Vikings picking Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin. Why him?

SZ: I have pretty good information that eight of the 10 offensive coaches want Percy Harvin, and Childress wants tackle Eben Britton from Arizona. The source I talked to said Percy Harvin. The source isn't in the organization, but he has contact with them. Harvin is going to put people in the seats and have highlight reels. When a team takes an offensive tackle, it doesn't add excitement to your team.

BS: Do you watch film of draft prospects?

SZ: Not as much film. Because I'm 19 and I haven't been able to get much credibility, I haven't been able to get film! . A lot of it is based on what I see on TV. The last two years! , I've g one to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

BS: How many games do you watch on TV?

SZ: Let's just say I watch 10 hours of games every Saturday. I tape as many as I could. It's a lot of pausing and going back and forth and looking at plays. This year, one player's dad sent me some footage. I've never had that before. Having the chance to sit down with three or four game tapes was unbelievable.

BS: Is this guy someone who will be drafted?

SZ: His name is Mark Parson. He's a cornerback from Ohio University. I have him ranked as a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

BS: Do you want to make a career out of this, or do you aspire for more?

SZ: I have been talking to the Vikings a little bit, and my hopes are I'll be working in the scouting department as a low-level scout or intern. I'll hopefully be meeting with (Vikings vice president of player personnel) Rick Spielman a week or two after the draft. I've met with him a couple of times. Rick is one of the n! icest people you'd ever meet. He has been really helpful. The last two years, I've attended the NFL Scouting Combine and I worked for NFL Network as a statistician. The Scouting Combine is off limits to any media. Being able to work for the NFL Network helped me, because I was able to get into the combine and get access most other media members weren't able to get. I was sitting in a 50-yard line suite this year.

BS: Do you do your work out of an office or out of your parents' basement?

SZ: I primarily sit in my room and do it. It's not that hard when you have a computer and TV to watch games on. I spent spring break writing my book (Shawn Zobel's 2009 Draft Preview).

BS: Do you go to school?

SZ: I graduated last year from Minnehaha Academy. I'm a freshman at St. Thomas. I'm majoring in leadership and management.

BS: Is what you do more impressive to guys or co-eds?

SZ: Not many people at St. Thomas know what I do. I lay low. I don't know! how you can walk around and say you're an NFL draft expert. A! lot of times I'll be sitting in class and doing a quick mock draft or player rankings. Somebody will ask what I'm doing and I explain, and they think it's pretty cool. A lot of times, it goes over more with guys than girls.

Shawn Zobel's NFL draft business has given him the opportunity to mingle with some familiar faces, such as Southern California coach Pete Carroll, and ESPN analyst John Clayton.