For only the second time in the program’s history, former Bulldog and current Miami Dolphins captain Zach Sieler has earned the honor of getting his number 96 retired.
Sieler played for the Bulldogs from 2013 to 2017. While at Ferris, he won back-to-back GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year and National Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016. He also helped his squad reach the 2016 NCAA DII National Semifinals game.
Sieler spoke about his achievement and what it means to him.
“Oh it’s incredible,” Sieler said. “When Tony Annese called me to tell me about it, it just kind of took me a second to actually take it all in. Obviously coming in and being a walk on here and to continue my career to get to where I am now, it’s all just been a huge blessing, so it’s cool to come back here and see all the guys.”
In 2018, he opted to forgo his senior season and declare for the draft. He became the first Bulldog to be selected in the NFL draft, with the 238th pick in the seventh round by the Baltimore Ravens.
After being waived by the Ravens in 2019, Sieler was claimed off waivers by the Dolphins. He appeared in 53 games for Miami before signing a $35.65 million contract extension before the 2023 season. Under his new deal, Sieler had a breakout season, posting 10 sacks, 22 QB hits, 63 total tackles and a pick-six while appearing in all 17 games. The 2024 season was more of the same for Sieler, as he secured 10 sacks again, with 55 total tackles, 19 QB hits and added an interception in 15 games.
On April 22, 2025, Ferris announced that Sieler would become the second player in program history to get his number retired during the annual Crimson and Gold spring football game, with the other number being retired being the former two-time Harlon Hill Trophy-winning quarterback Jason Vander Laan.
Current Minnesota Viking and former Bulldog Tavierre Thomas was in attendance for his former teammate’s big day and spoke about his love and admiration for Sieler.
“It is great to be here today, I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world,” Thomas said. “I know if it were me, he wouldn’t miss it, but we were both walk-ons’s and he was the draft pick, and I went undrafted. That’s my man out there, we got out of the mud, and we kept grinding, learning from Jason Vander Laan and Jake Lampman, and now we are both on year eight in the NFL so it’s just a blessing, just to be back and a blessing to have him.”
Many former players were also in attendance for the spring game, such as Vander Laan, Thomas, Jake Lampman, Jake Daugherty and many more.
Annese believes seeing his players go on to be successful in life is the greatest gift a coach can see in their careers.
“Oh my gosh, it’s just the greatest gift as a coach,” Annese said. “You know a lot of people think winning national championships are the greatest gift, but the greatest gift is seeing guys like Zach Sieler or Jake Lampman, I mean there is a million guys that you can talk about like that. Just think about Dylan Roney who played here in 2017, coached for me in 2018, and now he coaches for the Los Angeles Chargers. Or Travis Russell who played for us in 2019, coaches for us in 2021 and now he coaches at Michigan, and seeing guys like that, that is the greatest gift as a coach.”
Sieler will gear up for his 10th NFL season this fall while the Bulldogs look to capture back-to-back national championships.