Linebacker Follett draws attention on field, deflects it off field
Rusty Simmons, Chronicle Staff Writer
The fact of the matter is: We'll never really know. "That's classified," Follett said. It could have been something the outspoken senior said before the game. Follett told The Chronicle "I don't think the maturity side of (Carpenter) is there," and ABC taped Follett saying, "Carpenter, you're about to get the business. ... The pain train is coming today." Or it could have been something having to do with Follett's religious beliefs. He writes "Jesus Christ" in silver on his eye black, says balls bounce certain ways "because they were guided by the savior," and gives "the glory to God" for anything and everything positive that happens.
Follett is a walking contradiction. He draws attention to himself on the field and plays within an inch of being utterly out of control. Off the field, he has varied interests and mentions religion, coaches and little-known teammates before ever referring to himself. "I have a No. 56 side and a Zack side," Follett said. "Everyone sees the hair, the mean hits and the trash talking, and they think a certain way about me. It's something I have to deal with. It's hard when you go someplace and people already have an image built up about you."
Follett accepts that some, if not most, of this image is his fault. He was a Freshman All-America selection with shoulder-length hair and showed up for media day two years later with "Ziger" stripes painted in a close-crop cut. Aside from his look, what gets him in the most trouble is his brutal honesty. Asked about an upcoming opponent who isn't very good, coaches and teammates have set answers, like, "He plays hard" or "He presents a challenge." Follett opts for, "He can be exploited" or "He hasn't done anything." A reporter from the Daily Cal told Follett last season he was "by far, the most intimidating player I've ever had to talk to." He says his persona doesn't relate well off the field, and much like his football-themed words, this theory rings true. Follett builds life-size plywood likenesses of his teammates. He has a 24-gallon saltwater aquarium ("I love corals").
Before an interview last week, he looked as happy as could be, sitting and waiting while outside linebacker Eddie Young was getting rare media attention. In a 15-minute talk about himself, Follett managed to mention the team's No. 8 receiver, Drew Glover, the No. 5 middle linebacker, Matt Russi, and former third-string tight end Eric Beegun as often as he said "I," "me" or "56." If MySpace is the current generation's autobiography, Follett's needs more footnotes. The top two images on his page are a painting of Jesus and a shot of Follett sacking Carpenter with the title, "Revenge." Follett's entire biography on the page is devoted to his relationship with God, but the background image is a frightening black-and-white photo of Follett with arms outstretched.
"That's the thing about Zack," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "He's an emotional, high-strung guy on the field who plays with a lot of passion. Off the field, he's quiet, never taunts anybody and would never want to be disrespectful." The difference was obvious to Follett from the start. He first played football in the fifth grade, and his first game at Cedarwood Elementary School (Clovis, Fresno County) is highlighted on YouTube as he knocks out a running back on his first career tackle. Follett went on to become one of the most celebrated recruits in the history of the Central Valley and was an All-State selection at Clovis High. His reputation grew with more big hits. In 2006, Follett knocked himself silly with a ferocious hit on a Washington running back and intercepted a pass on the next play despite double vision. Last season, he gave Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge "the hardest hit of my career" to force a fumble that was returned for Cal's first score of the year, and a week ago, Follett sent Carpenter away from Memorial Stadium on crutches. Follett has a number of hits that seem to go unnoticed by all but his coaches and teammates. These are plays that come after he says a little more than he should by conventional football wisdom.
After losing a chance to move to No. 1 in the nation last season and rightly feeling the season was angling downward, Follett had 10 tackles, including three for a loss against UCLA the next week. When Cal fell behind 21-6 to Maryland at halftime this season, Follett forced a fumble on the second-half's opening possession, and when the Bears went down 28-6, he had a tackle, a sack and a pass break-up to end the next drive.
"He's the truth," Young said. "If you can talk stuff and make it happen, you're great. That's like video game stuff, but he's doing it in real life."
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