SNOHOMISH. As Wednesday's Glacier Peak football practice drew to a close, senior tight end Zach Albright caught a long throw from quarterback Oliver Setterberg along the left sideline. He jogged back to the line of scrimmage with both arms raised, still holding the football, shouting in celebration.

Such a scene is common for anyone who has watched Glacier Peak compete in football, basketball or track and field. Albright's presence in school colors is a regular occurrence throughout the academic year.

While many elite youth athletes focus on a single sport year-round, Albright competes as a three-sport athlete.

He is currently the top-ranked football prospect in Snohomish County for the Class of 2027, ranking fifth in the state on 247Sports. He has committed to the University of Washington as a three-star recruit. Additionally, he is a four-year starter for a Grizzlies basketball team that frequently advances deep into the 4A State tournament. In track and field, he qualified for the state meet with a personal record of 6 feet 4 inches in the high jump.

Albright believes participating in all three sports benefits his development in each area, a view shared by the Glacier Peak program. Head coach Shane Keck estimates that 85% of his players participate in at least one other sport at the school.

"Keeping busy helped me focus on many different aspects," Albright said. "The high jump requires a great deal of technique, which allowed me to break down specific movements and train muscles I wouldn't otherwise target. Basketball helps me maintain my conditioning."

Growing up, Albright did not anticipate reducing basketball to a conditioning tool. His father, Seth, played basketball for Pacific Lutheran University from 1994 to 1998, and Albright originally dreamed of playing college basketball.

His family also has ties to the other sports. His mother, Christine, and aunt, Sarah Williams (Sarah Axley at the time), both ran track for PLU. His uncles, Chad Johnson and Isaac Williams, played football for the Lutes. Albright began playing football in seventh grade and eventually followed a similar path to his uncles.

"I spent my whole life wanting to play college basketball, but I am unsure when the shift occurred," Albright said. "The opportunity for football started to present itself, and that is how I arrived at this point. I have no regrets; it is a great opportunity."

Albright first showed his potential as a punter. After coaches observed him kicking before a practice early in his tenure, he was given a chance to participate. He was subsequently named First Team All-League punter as a sophomore in 2024.

A fractured leg sustained during his sophomore year briefly sidelined the player’s punting duties, though he regained that role in the current season, recording kicks ranging from 50 to 60 yards during game play. Despite this capability, the athlete intends to focus his collegiate tenure on the offensive line and receiving corps. After earning Second Team All-League recognition as a wide receiver in 2024, the junior began shifting toward the tight end position, a role he will assume full-time in 2026.

During his 10th grade year, the athlete possessed a slimmer build and stated he gained water weight to reach the 200-pound mark for college visits. At that time, he lacked the bulk to compete with older defensive ends at the varsity level, though he could contribute on the outside against smaller defensive backs. Since then, the 6-foot-5 player has increased his weight to 245 pounds through rigorous weight room training and a dietary regimen consisting of four to five meals daily.

Upon integrating on-field training to enhance his skills and physicality, the athlete evolved into a Division I tight end prospect. He is not the first student-athlete at Glacier Peak to make such a transition under head coach Keck. In 2023, Cooper Jensen and Trey Leckner transformed from wide receivers into Division I tight ends, with Jensen enrolling at Oregon State and Leckner attending Washington State. This developmental pathway not only expands individual player potential but also diversifies the tactical options available to the Grizzlies offense.

Keck noted that the team’s systems are designed around the tight end position, and Albright’s versatility is particularly unique because he functions as a receiver, a tight end, and possesses the frame of a fullback. The coach described this multi-faceted ability as a valuable asset for coaching strategy.

Brandon Haugh, the quarterback coach at Glacier Peak, characterized Albright as a de facto coach on the field, attributing this to the player’s understanding of every offensive role derived from his experience at multiple positions. Haugh highlighted the athlete’s strong mental acuity and vocal leadership, noting that such traits are not universal even among star players. The coach expressed enthusiasm for Albright’s work ethic, stating he is a good young man who plays hard and would like to have more players with similar attributes on the roster.

Albright will transition to the University of Washington, a program that has recently developed in-state recruits, including Drew Sample from Newport and Cade Otton from Tumwater, into professional NFL players. Keck has known Washington tight ends coach Jordan Paopao for more than two decades. When Keck highlighted Albright as a target, Paopao was initially skeptical due to the limited number of Division I players in the region. Paopao questioned why no other programs had extended offers, to which Keck replied that once Washington did, others would follow. Keck compared the subsequent influx of interest to falling dominoes.

Offers from Minnesota and Wisconsin followed shortly after Washington's initial contact. Programs at Michigan, Texas A&M, Utah, and California soon extended invitations as well. After spending many hours considering his alternatives, the prospect chose to remain near his hometown.

He had long regarded the Huskies as an aspirational target, and he expressed surprise that they were the first to extend an offer late in his second year of high school. Developing a close connection with Paopao and understanding his instructional methods convinced him to accept.

He possesses an understanding of the game that sets him apart from others, the recruit stated. The manner in which he dissects film, the method of his instruction, and how he translates concepts to the field are all executed in a way he finds unique.

Keck acknowledged that the athlete still requires refinement as a tight end, noting that he transitioned to the position only eighteen months ago. He believes that with time to develop and gain additional muscle mass through a Division I nutrition and training regimen, the player will become a standout in the coming years.

The recruit will first aim to conclude his high school tenure successfully. He confirmed that he will participate in the upcoming basketball season but plans to skip track to graduate early and attend Spring Camp at UW.

Regarding football, the Grizzlies hold a 3-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Wesco 4A, following a 55-7 defeat to Lake Stevens last week. They face Arlington on Friday, with Glacier Peak seeking to regain momentum ahead of the postseason.

Expectations were high, the recruit admitted, acknowledging the team did not meet them. He suggested that a victory on Friday to secure a home game in the Crossover Game would provide a significant boost. He emphasized that the team must focus on internal development during these final three weeks, stating the responsibility lies with them.