Zeb Stroup sees the game differently now. As a Presbyterian College senior on the Blue Hose football team, he doesn’t just read defensive formations—he analyzes them through spreadsheets and statistical models. But his unique perspective on the gridiron reflects something deeper: a transformation that happened over four years at PC, where he discovered that true strength comes not from avoiding adversity, but from conquering it.
“Being a Blue Hose means never giving up and always pushing forward,” says Zeb, whose journey embodies that philosophy. When he tore his ACL for the second time during his sophomore year, most athletes would have hung up their cleats. Zeb saw it as data point one in his comeback story.
From Setback to Comeback
“I thought my sports career was over,” Zeb said. But with the support of PC’s athletic training staff, he didn’t just recover—he returned stronger, proving that resilience isn’t just physical, it’s mental. That determination fueled not only his junior year comeback but also the team’s memorable season, including a victory at St. Thomas In Minnesota.
“Walking around the Mall of America for a couple of hours, then winning—it was so much fun,” he said.
The packed stands at Homecoming, where PC broke its attendance record, gave the team that extra surge of motivation.
“Knowing we had fans rooting for us really gave us that last bit of motivation to go out and perform,” he said. But Zeb’s impact extends far beyond the football field.
Where Football Meets Analytics
Zeb merged his love of football with his analytical mind during his senior capstone project. He used data analysis to determine the most effective defensive play calls for the 2024 season. He manipulated an entire season’s worth of plays to identify which defensive strategies would most likely limit opponents to three yards or fewer.
“In successful football programs, work isn’t put in during the season—it’s done way before, in August and July,” Zeb said. “Similarly in my project, most of the work comes early on in refining and understanding the data. You become comfortable with the data, or football field, and are then able to get out of it what you want.”
This unique blend of athletic experience and analytical prowess sets Zeb apart. He’s not just a player who studies film; he’s an analyst who’s lived the game from the inside out.
Leadership Beyond the Field
PC taught Zeb to juggle multiple roles simultaneously. As a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the football team, he’s volunteered at elementary schools, helped build decks for elderly community members, and participated in Hurricane Helene cleanup efforts.
“I learned how to balance academics, athletics, and leadership roles,” he says, “and in the process built real discipline, time-management skills, and a stronger sense of responsibility.”
The professors at PC made this balancing act possible through their communication and support.
“The professors are very good communicators, which has made the academic side of things very pleasant and smooth for me,” Zeb said.
The Next Play
As graduation approaches, Zeb has his sights set on the NFL—not as a player, but as a sports analyst. He plans to pursue either an MBA or Master of Business Analytics while playing his final years of football, combining his passion for the game with his talent for data.
PC will enable me to put myself into good situations professionally. With an outstanding alumni network, PC has allowed me to learn from many successful business leaders and how to effectively lead.
Zeb Stroup ’26
His advice to incoming student-athletes reflects the wisdom earned through two ACL tears and countless hours both on the field and in the classroom: “Just be where your feet are. PC will always be special in my heart because I took the time to stay and grow relationships with the people around me. Stay committed to the people around you, and everything will work out.”
From injured athlete to comeback story, from player to analyst, from individual to leader—Zeb Stroup embodies what it means to be raised to your highest potential. He found his edge at Presbyterian College, where data meets determination, and setbacks become setups for something greater.
