Kevin Zeitler

Kevin Zeitler (pronounced ; born March 8, 1990) is an American football guard for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and earned All-American honors. He was selected by the Bengals in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and was considered one of the best guard prospects in 2012.

Early years
Zeitler was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He attended Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and played for Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings high school football team. A three-year letterwinner in football, Zeitler was honored first-team all-conference, first-team all region and second-team all-area as a junior. In his senior year, he gathered first-team all-conference, conference lineman of the year, first-team all region and first-team all-area honors.

Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Zeitler was ranked the No. 39 offensive guard prospect in his class. Ironically, the No. 1 OG in this class was Trevor Robinson, who would later play alongside Zeitler for the Cincinnati Bengals. Having numerous offers, Zeitler narrowed his decision down to Wisconsin and Michigan, before eventually picking the Badgers.

College career
Zeitler attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2008 to 2011. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, having been named to the first teams of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Associated Press and Pro Football Weekly as a senior in 2011. Zeitler joined teammates Montee Ball and Peter Konz as AFCA All-Americans.

2012 NFL Draft
Even tho "not a nifty or nimble lineman", Zeitler was described as "a solid prospect with the ability to be used in a power running offense." Project to be a second round selection, Zeitler was ranked No. 4 among guards available in the 2012 NFL Draft by Sports Illustrated. Zeitler himself expected to be a second-rounder, having scheduled a draft-party for Day 2 of the Draft, before being surprised by the Bengals' late-first round selection. Zeitler was the eighth UW offensive lineman taken in the first round of the NFL draft since 1976.

Cincinnati Bengals
In his rookie season, Zeitler started all 16 games at right guard for the Bengals. He gave up only four sacks all season, and graded highest among Bengals lineman.