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The Seattle Seahawks strengthened their offensive line on Thursday by selecting Glaza Bell in the first round of the draft.
The former North Dakota standout will soon be tasked with protecting freshman Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold.
But as attention changes to Zabelle's future, it also focuses on past interactions with President Donald Trump.
Zabell and his North Dakota teammates visited Washington, D.C. on April 9th to celebrate the soccer team's latest NCAA Division I FCS National Championship.
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North Dakota State's offensive Linemanglaisabell answers questions at a press conference at the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on March 1, 2025. (Jacob My Salman/Imagine image)
Several representatives and special guest, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of R-Ala made several comments before heading to the White House. Some Bison footballers then looked back on their run to the title.
Once they reached 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, President Trump eventually met the East Room soccer team. Trump spoke to North Dakota players and took photos. At some point during the interaction, Zabelle's teammates pointed him out.
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“Who's the best player? Let's take a look, who are they referring to?” Trump asked. “The biggest guy? Come here.”
Zabell approached the president and waved.
“Is he that good?” Trump asked. “Wow. Boy, he's a big sucker?”
Trump then replied what position Zabel played, and the 305-pound lineman replied, “the offensive line.”
North Dakota's soccer team also visited the White House during Trump's first term.
President Donald Trump will receive a football jersey with his name from the quarterback Easton Stick as he welcomes the 2018 Division I FCS champion North Dakota bison at the White House diplomat office on March 4, 2018. (Oliver Contreras/Pool/Getty Images)
Zabel started 41 games in five seasons in all positions on the offensive line except center. He was a national of FCS with a left tackle as a senior last season.
The 23-year-old began the final 36 games of his college career and entered slots into the interior of the Seahawks line. Zabel was able to quickly replace Seattle's starting left guard Laken Tomlinson since last season.
North Dakota offensive lineman Glazabelle during the 2025 NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on March 2, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
The Seahawks are optimistic, and Zabell could be part of the solution to the heavily struggling offensive line in 2024. Last season, the Seahawks surrendered 54 sacks, tied them third in the NFL. The Seahawks, who won the NFC West 10-7 last season, ran for most of the shotgun formation.
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The versatile Zabel was able to slot in one of five starting offensive line positions, but Coach Mike McDonald said he was on guard.
“Hopefully we find a home for him in one position and he has lived there for us for a really long time,” McDonald said. “But I think it's just talking to his savvy. It's not easy to find someone who can play in interiors or tackles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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