A four-year starter and three-time All-Patriot League tackle at Fordham, Nick Zakelj has stuck around San Francisco's offensive line room as a versatile depth piece.
Nick Zakelj arrived in the NFL as a zero-star recruit turned Fordham captain, a path that required converting from linebacker to offensive tackle and earning a graduate degree along the way. Six seasons into his 49ers career, he remains a steady rotational piece on the offensive line.
Path to the league
Zakelj grew up in Broadview Heights, Ohio and arrived at Fordham as an unrated recruit who converted from linebacker to offensive tackle. He became a starter as a freshman and earned three-time First-team All-Patriot League honors from 2019 to 2021, while also completing a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's in business analytics.
Career highlights
San Francisco selected Zakelj in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, 187th overall. He has worked mostly as a backup and versatile depth piece capable of playing tackle or guard, with his development slowed by a torn bicep that ended his 2023 season early.
2025 season recap
Zakelj was waived during final roster cuts in late August 2025 but was re-signed to the 49ers' practice squad the very next day, underscoring the team's continued interest in keeping him in the building. He signed a one-year contract extension with San Francisco in February 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Nick Zakelj
- ESPN: Nick Zakelj
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- Fordham
- Hometown
- Broadview Heights, OH, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
