Education, relationships led 2023 OL Zak Yamauchi to Stanford

Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman offensive lineman Zak Yamauchi had options from coast to coast.

But the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder kept coming back to Stanford as his top school. On Tuesday morning, the No. 70 interior offensive lineman in the On3 Consensus committed to the Cardinal over offers from Boston College, Arizona, Cal, and a handful of others.

“My family and I have been having discussions about it over the past couple weeks after the official visit,” he told On3. “We talked about the pros and cons with Boston College and Stanford, and we came to the decision about a week ago. We’ve been really excited about a commitment, and it’s going to be a great decision.”

One of the biggest selling points for both Yamauchi and his parents was the educational opportunities available to him at Stanford. What he could do on the field was important, but so was what the school offered academically.

“My parents have always harped on me about education ever since I was young,” he said. “Having Stanford as my choice and being committed there in a no-brainer for me and for them. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime, and like Stanford says, it’s not a four-year decision, it’s a lifetime decision.”

Official visit in June sealed it for Zak Yamauchi

A little more than a month ago, Yamauchi made his two planned official visits: one trip to Chestnut Hill and another to Palo Alto. What he saw and experience at Stanford really solidified how he felt about the program and the university.

“It was that trip that made me want to go there,” he added. “The week before I went to Stanford, I visited Boston College and really loved it over there. It was a close call between those two. But the Stanford visit blew me away, and that’s how I knew it was home.”

The vibe around Palo Alto and Stanford’s campus is unlike anything else he has experienced. Being in the heart of Silicon Valley and getting exposure to so much was also a major selling point.

“There’s many people who visit Stanford from all across the world, and it’s got a business type of vibe to it,” he said. “Everyone is here to be successful, and you get to hang around those like-minded people. And that’s what I really care about. I like to surround myself with that.

… The education speaks for itself. It’s pretty much a walking paycheck no matter where you go. The connections at Stanford there is crazy. Talking about people who are starting their own companies and having connections to those people. It’s truly amazing, and no matter what you do after Stanford or where you go, they will take care of you.”

Coaching staff was also a key factor

Zak Yamauchi also bonded in a big way with head coach David Shaw and new offensive line coach Terry Heffernan. The energy they bring to the position group and the team as a whole stood out to him, and he loves their humble leadership.

“He’s very respectable and very down-to-earth guy,” Yamauchi said of Heffernan. “The kind of coach you need if you want to go to the next level, so having him there as the O-line coach is a bonus to what Stanford has to offer. He’ll get me to the next level if I want to be there.”