Mark Zackery IV Wraps Up Brief Basketball Stint, Returns Full-Time to Notre Dame Football
Mark Zackery IV’s winter detour into college basketball is officially in the rearview mirror. The freshman cornerback, known for his work on the gridiron with Notre Dame football, has stepped away from Micah Shrewsberry’s basketball squad and returned to Marcus Freeman’s program just in time for winter conditioning.
Zackery joined the hoops team shortly after Notre Dame wrapped its football season with an appearance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. With the cleats temporarily shelved, he traded in his helmet for high-tops and suited up for four games, seeing limited action as he adjusted to the pace of ACC basketball.
His brief run included appearances against North Carolina, Clemson, Stanford, and Cal-three of which ended in losses for the Irish. His most extended stint came against the Tar Heels, logging six minutes.
Statistically, Zackery’s basketball line won’t jump off the page: 2 points on 1-of-4 shooting, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. But considering he entered the year expecting to focus solely on football, his ability to contribute at all-especially against top-tier competition like UNC-speaks volumes about his athleticism and versatility.
Still, with Notre Dame basketball struggling to find its rhythm this season and football ramping up for its offseason training, the timing made sense. The Irish are now deep into winter workouts, and Zackery’s return bolsters a defensive backfield looking to build momentum heading into spring ball.
Zackery’s two-sport foray places him among a rare group of modern-day collegiate athletes who juggle multiple sports at the Division I level. He joins a short but impressive list of Notre Dame football players who’ve worn more than one jersey for the Irish.
Jordan Faison, for example, made headlines last year as a standout in both football and lacrosse. This year, he’s putting lacrosse aside to focus on football full-time.
Drayk Bowen, once a contributor on the baseball diamond, has also stepped away from his second sport. Meanwhile, Brandon Logan is still in the mix as a two-sport athlete-he’s expected to report for Notre Dame baseball practices and compete for playing time this spring.
In today’s era of hyper-specialization, it’s rare to see athletes successfully navigate the demands of two sports at this level. Zackery gave it a go, and while the basketball chapter was brief, it added another layer to his already impressive profile. Now, with his focus back on football, Notre Dame fans can expect to see him continue developing as a key piece of the Irish secondary.