Washington State University Athletics
Get to Know Linus Zunk
April 08, 2026 | Football
Pullman, Wash. – Linus Zunk is a transfer from Vanderbilt where he played as a defensive end for three years. Last season at Vanderbilt, Zunk played in all 13 games, tallying 15 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and three sacks.
We recently had the chance to sit down with redshirt-senior Linus Zunk.
So far how has WSU been different than Vanderbilt?
It's been very different. I'm in grad school now so the academic side is different. Pullman is a little bit outside of population, so that's been different since Vandy is right in the city. It's a totally different experience but it's been awesome so far.
What drew you to choose WSU?
I saw that I could achieve my personal goals and that it's possible to achieve great success with the team here. And the feeling I got when I came on a visit here, all the people are great. Everyone's welcoming and the team is amazing. Nobody sees themselves above anyone else, it's a great thing. I guess that feeling when I got here during my visit made me realize how good this opportunity is.
How did you start playing football?
I was a basketball player all my life and back in Germany, everything's in clubs so we don't have school sports. I had a very long commute to my basketball practices and with school ramping up, I decided that I had to stop playing basketball. Then some friends at school told me, 'Hey you should come try out football'. And the practice for football was on 15 or 20 minutes away so I tried it and basically fell in love from that first practice.
Do you have any siblings?
I have an older sister, she's 25. Shout out Linnea, she's awesome.
How has your sister impacted you?
I want to make her proud, but football isn't really that big over there. My family understands football to some degree but they're also still learning about it. Specifically, the amount of work you put in and what it takes. I want to be able to report back and have them be proud of what I'm doing.
If you had to give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?
Just to keep working, and work to be complete, work on your weaknesses. Don't always focus on your strengths, don't go out there and just do what you do well. You have to force yourself to get uncomfortable, that's really when you're going to get better.
What is something fans should know about you?
I'm a nice guy; I can come off as grumpy sometimes. I feel like my resting face can be a little locked in but I'm pretty nice. So, if you see me around feel free to say hi, I'm really not that grumpy in person.
What are your plans after college?
Obviously, play football as long as I can, the goal is to go pro. As long as I can I'll continue to play. Beyond that, I haven't really made up my mind for what I want to do. The thing that'll be around the corner is going back home and figuring things out from there.
What is your go to pre-game meal?
I'm kind of limited with that since we always get catered here. But last year I ordered caprese salad and a cannoli. Every Friday night before game day I'd eat that so I guess that would be it.
What do you like to do in your free time outside of football?
I like to hang out with my friends, right now it's tough because we're kind of busy. But I enjoy the outdoors, and I'm a big movie guy.
What kind of movies do you like to watch?
Really everything, every time I ask people about their favorite movies they always bring up some classic from the 80's that I haven't watched. I guess I have to broaden my horizons in that sense. But I really watch anything.
We recently had the chance to sit down with redshirt-senior Linus Zunk.
So far how has WSU been different than Vanderbilt?
It's been very different. I'm in grad school now so the academic side is different. Pullman is a little bit outside of population, so that's been different since Vandy is right in the city. It's a totally different experience but it's been awesome so far.
What drew you to choose WSU?
I saw that I could achieve my personal goals and that it's possible to achieve great success with the team here. And the feeling I got when I came on a visit here, all the people are great. Everyone's welcoming and the team is amazing. Nobody sees themselves above anyone else, it's a great thing. I guess that feeling when I got here during my visit made me realize how good this opportunity is.
How did you start playing football?
I was a basketball player all my life and back in Germany, everything's in clubs so we don't have school sports. I had a very long commute to my basketball practices and with school ramping up, I decided that I had to stop playing basketball. Then some friends at school told me, 'Hey you should come try out football'. And the practice for football was on 15 or 20 minutes away so I tried it and basically fell in love from that first practice.
Do you have any siblings?
I have an older sister, she's 25. Shout out Linnea, she's awesome.
How has your sister impacted you?
I want to make her proud, but football isn't really that big over there. My family understands football to some degree but they're also still learning about it. Specifically, the amount of work you put in and what it takes. I want to be able to report back and have them be proud of what I'm doing.
If you had to give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?
Just to keep working, and work to be complete, work on your weaknesses. Don't always focus on your strengths, don't go out there and just do what you do well. You have to force yourself to get uncomfortable, that's really when you're going to get better.
What is something fans should know about you?
I'm a nice guy; I can come off as grumpy sometimes. I feel like my resting face can be a little locked in but I'm pretty nice. So, if you see me around feel free to say hi, I'm really not that grumpy in person.
What are your plans after college?
Obviously, play football as long as I can, the goal is to go pro. As long as I can I'll continue to play. Beyond that, I haven't really made up my mind for what I want to do. The thing that'll be around the corner is going back home and figuring things out from there.
What is your go to pre-game meal?
I'm kind of limited with that since we always get catered here. But last year I ordered caprese salad and a cannoli. Every Friday night before game day I'd eat that so I guess that would be it.
What do you like to do in your free time outside of football?
I like to hang out with my friends, right now it's tough because we're kind of busy. But I enjoy the outdoors, and I'm a big movie guy.
What kind of movies do you like to watch?
Really everything, every time I ask people about their favorite movies they always bring up some classic from the 80's that I haven't watched. I guess I have to broaden my horizons in that sense. But I really watch anything.
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