Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: The Natural
5/20/2021 12:38:00 PM | Football, Gold Rush
Offensive lineman Zach Tom lines up well on – whether it’s playing center or left tackle – and off the field with his steady approach
Zach Tom is so consistent and reliable that some of his best work might come without much fanfare.
But the versatile offensive lineman is greatly appreciated within the Wake Forest football program for what he provides on and off the field.
By his very nature, Tom has a reserved persona. So, major outbreaks of expression might not be evident to some observers, something he says, "doesn't happen often."
He can still become fired up, noting that he thrives on those around him excelling.
"Seeing anything I support have success," he said of his motivation.
One reason that Tom might be able to blend in at times is that he has drawn so few flags from game officials. He had more than 500 snaps in 2019 without committing a penalty.
He made it most of the way through the past season without a flag hitting the turf because of his actions. Then one came out in the game against Virginia.
That holding infraction probably caught everybody by surprise.
"He plays it pretty close to the vest," offensive line coach Nick Tabacca said of the reaction. "You can't let the reserve (appearance) fool you with him because he is fiercely competitive."
Tom's response: "I don't think it was a good call. I wasn't happy it was called."
That situation drew attention perhaps only because it was so rare.
And there have been no flags for procedure penalties tossed because of Tom.
"That's just a testament to his focus," Tabacca said. "That's who he is. He has a laser-like focus."
Tom said he concentrates on his assignments on every play. That's the approach that has become ingrained in him.
"It's definitely something I'm proud of," Tom said of the penalty-free stretches. "It's something nice to have."
Plus, in two seasons as a starting center, he wasn't charged with allowing a sack.
He made the move to tackle after being such a steady factor in the middle of the line. He started all nine games in 2020 at his new position on the left side.
"I anticipated there would be somewhat of a learning curve, especially replacing a player such as Justin (Herron)," Tabacca said. "He certainly rose to the occasion. Zach is a very, very natural O-lineman. I'd love to take credit for it, but he's just a really good offensive lineman. Things come very naturally to him at that position."
Tom said he likes how he improved with pass blocking during the past year. That responsibility might have seemed heightened as he moved to a spot along the line where he would encounter fierce pass rushers.
"At first, I was a little unsure about it," he said. "It wasn't that big of a surprise (to transition to a different position). I played tackle in high school. You're blocking different kinds of people. You're still one of five (interior linemen)."
Tom has had a good guide when it comes to establishing a football career. Older brother Cameron Tom played at Southern Mississippi before landing in the NFL. He has been with the New Orleans Saints, though he made a recent offseason move to the Miami Dolphins.
He had been a good model for the younger Tom to monitor.
"I've always been pretty close with my brother," he said. "He definitely set the bar pretty high for me. At the end of the day, I'm my own person."
Coming to Wake Forest has involved countless benefits for Tom. He has embraced the academic structure, and as a Louisianian even appreciates the seasonal climate changes of living in Winston-Salem.
An NFL career would be nice, and it's a good target to aim for, but it's not the lone aspiration.
"I'm not putting all my eggs in the same basket," he said.
And he doesn't have to. With a May 2021 graduation, Tom will start an MBA program in the business school at Wake Forest.
Those pursuits might continue to put him in his own sort of quarantine. Even in pre-pandemic days, Tom might go hours on campus without coming across his football teammates as he pursued his line of studies.
"From an early age, I tried to do well in school," he said. "I guess something clicked in middle school."
He was a member of the All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic team in 2020 and 2021. Someday, Tom might be ready to pass along business advice to his college teammates.
"Not yet," he said.
For now, he relishes his role as one of the leaders for the Demon Deacons.
"I definitely see myself as a leader in the O-line room," he said, pointing to the importance of emphasizing technique and the awareness of following instructions to all the details. "You have to improve from when you got there. Young players see that and want to model themselves (after that)."
Tabacca, who has groomed a steady stable of quality linemen in recent years, said that Tom sets an ideal example. Much of it revolves around his habits off the field with studying video footage and then in practices on his attentiveness during drills. That all translates well on game days.
"He's super intelligent," Tabacca said. "He's very, very detailed in his game. He's very intentional about everything he does."
After the hectic nature of the 2020 season with so many uncertainties from week to week and interruptions along the way, Tom said he hopes there's a more normal tone to the upcoming season. Some of the lessons from the past year can be applied.
"It was obviously different, but it was still playing football and trying to win games," he said.
The Demon Deacons have been to bowl games for five years in a row. With the possibility of fans returning to games in masses and a new season on the horizon, the team is anxious for what's to come.
That even has Tom talking about the buzz that could be building around this next version of Wake Forest's team.
"I think that will add to the anticipation," he said. "I think it will add to the hype around football season."
But the versatile offensive lineman is greatly appreciated within the Wake Forest football program for what he provides on and off the field.
By his very nature, Tom has a reserved persona. So, major outbreaks of expression might not be evident to some observers, something he says, "doesn't happen often."
He can still become fired up, noting that he thrives on those around him excelling.
"Seeing anything I support have success," he said of his motivation.
One reason that Tom might be able to blend in at times is that he has drawn so few flags from game officials. He had more than 500 snaps in 2019 without committing a penalty.
He made it most of the way through the past season without a flag hitting the turf because of his actions. Then one came out in the game against Virginia.
That holding infraction probably caught everybody by surprise.
"He plays it pretty close to the vest," offensive line coach Nick Tabacca said of the reaction. "You can't let the reserve (appearance) fool you with him because he is fiercely competitive."
Tom's response: "I don't think it was a good call. I wasn't happy it was called."
That situation drew attention perhaps only because it was so rare.
And there have been no flags for procedure penalties tossed because of Tom.
"That's just a testament to his focus," Tabacca said. "That's who he is. He has a laser-like focus."
Tom said he concentrates on his assignments on every play. That's the approach that has become ingrained in him.
"It's definitely something I'm proud of," Tom said of the penalty-free stretches. "It's something nice to have."
Plus, in two seasons as a starting center, he wasn't charged with allowing a sack.
He made the move to tackle after being such a steady factor in the middle of the line. He started all nine games in 2020 at his new position on the left side.
"I anticipated there would be somewhat of a learning curve, especially replacing a player such as Justin (Herron)," Tabacca said. "He certainly rose to the occasion. Zach is a very, very natural O-lineman. I'd love to take credit for it, but he's just a really good offensive lineman. Things come very naturally to him at that position."
Tom said he likes how he improved with pass blocking during the past year. That responsibility might have seemed heightened as he moved to a spot along the line where he would encounter fierce pass rushers.
"At first, I was a little unsure about it," he said. "It wasn't that big of a surprise (to transition to a different position). I played tackle in high school. You're blocking different kinds of people. You're still one of five (interior linemen)."
Tom has had a good guide when it comes to establishing a football career. Older brother Cameron Tom played at Southern Mississippi before landing in the NFL. He has been with the New Orleans Saints, though he made a recent offseason move to the Miami Dolphins.
He had been a good model for the younger Tom to monitor.
"I've always been pretty close with my brother," he said. "He definitely set the bar pretty high for me. At the end of the day, I'm my own person."
Coming to Wake Forest has involved countless benefits for Tom. He has embraced the academic structure, and as a Louisianian even appreciates the seasonal climate changes of living in Winston-Salem.
An NFL career would be nice, and it's a good target to aim for, but it's not the lone aspiration.
"I'm not putting all my eggs in the same basket," he said.
And he doesn't have to. With a May 2021 graduation, Tom will start an MBA program in the business school at Wake Forest.
Those pursuits might continue to put him in his own sort of quarantine. Even in pre-pandemic days, Tom might go hours on campus without coming across his football teammates as he pursued his line of studies.
"From an early age, I tried to do well in school," he said. "I guess something clicked in middle school."
He was a member of the All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic team in 2020 and 2021. Someday, Tom might be ready to pass along business advice to his college teammates.
"Not yet," he said.
For now, he relishes his role as one of the leaders for the Demon Deacons.
"I definitely see myself as a leader in the O-line room," he said, pointing to the importance of emphasizing technique and the awareness of following instructions to all the details. "You have to improve from when you got there. Young players see that and want to model themselves (after that)."
Tabacca, who has groomed a steady stable of quality linemen in recent years, said that Tom sets an ideal example. Much of it revolves around his habits off the field with studying video footage and then in practices on his attentiveness during drills. That all translates well on game days.
"He's super intelligent," Tabacca said. "He's very, very detailed in his game. He's very intentional about everything he does."
After the hectic nature of the 2020 season with so many uncertainties from week to week and interruptions along the way, Tom said he hopes there's a more normal tone to the upcoming season. Some of the lessons from the past year can be applied.
"It was obviously different, but it was still playing football and trying to win games," he said.
The Demon Deacons have been to bowl games for five years in a row. With the possibility of fans returning to games in masses and a new season on the horizon, the team is anxious for what's to come.
That even has Tom talking about the buzz that could be building around this next version of Wake Forest's team.
"I think that will add to the anticipation," he said. "I think it will add to the hype around football season."
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