Class of 2027 running back Zion Mabry is a prospect that caught Northwestern and running backs coach, Aristotle Thompson, attention very early. Mabry received an offer, and after taking a closer look at Northwestern with his family, the Georgia native made the decision to commit to Northwestern. Mabry says everything about the program felt like the right fit: from the school’s prestige to the people inside the building.

Mabry said his family spent time researching Northwestern’s trajectory over the past decade, and over the past few years under Coach Braun. The more they learned, the more confident they felt.

“After doing research with my parents and seeing the history, and how close they’ve been to competing for Big Ten championships, it opened my eyes,” Mabry said. “And the new stadium is going to be a game changer for attracting talent.”

A major part of his comfort with Northwestern comes from his relationships with the coaching staff. Mabry speaks with Coach Thompson regularly.

“Coach Thompson is my primary recruiter, and we talk a lot, usually not even about football,” he said. “Coach Braun is an amazing guy. He took time to talk with me and my family, especially my little sister Zariyah about being in the band. He’s genuine. Coach Lujan, we haven’t talked as much, but we’ve both lived in Alaska, so we’ve got that in common,” Mabry added.

Mabry’s unofficial visit to Evanston only strengthened his connection to the program. He and his family took in a Chicago Bulls game, toured the campus, and got an up-close look at the new stadium project, what he called his favorite part of the trip.

Right now, Mabry says he’s fully confident in his decision 

“I’m happy with my current decision,” he said. “At the moment I know I’m coming back to NU, and I don’t have any other visits scheduled.”

Football has always been in Mabry’s blood. His dad played Division I football at Miami, and his mom played college basketball, but he says his path into the sport was fueled by passion, not pressure.

“My dad didn’t want me playing football when I was young, but I loved it,” Mabry said. “I used to watch his tape, and it made me want to make a name for myself.”

During his time on campus, Mabry also made brief contact with the Wildcats’ running back room after practice, adding to the list of points that made his visit feel like home.

As the 2027 cycle continues to take shape, Northwestern has already landed two high upside players, and Zion Mabry is someone who’s excited about what’s being built in Evanston.

He is looking forward to watching the ‘Cats take on the Illini tonight.