BROWN DEER, Wis. (CBS 58) --

"When I first met him he was playing a pickup basketball game and I saw a young man pfft straight up in the air with a dunk and I was like wow who was that?"

That's how longtime Brown Deer football coach Rob Green met Zack Baun.

"The first time you see him what you notice is how explosive he is."

It didn't take long to get him into pads and on the football field as a wide receiver.

"During one of our practices we threw him the ball. He caught the ball, stiff armed a person and was in the end zone in a split second. And he turned around threw the ball to our quarterback about 45 yards on a rope and we said 'wow, what is this?'"

He was the starting QB by week 1 kicking off an incredible football journey. Baun was named the state's offensive player of the year as a senior before heading to Madison and switching to linebacker with support from Brown Deer.

"As a season ticket holder for the Wisconsin Badgers it was special. I got to see every home game with him. To watch him grow that much and by senior year become a unanimous All-American."

The draft was a unique experience for Zack, but also Rob. He met with scouts and coaches from more than half of the NFL teams.

"It was exciting, it was taxing, there was a lot of hours spend there, but I was so proud to do it for him just because of what he did for our school. That was the least I could do to give back to him."

Zack was ultimately drafted in the third round by the Saints. After four years trying to find his role in New Orleans he broke out with the Eagles this year becoming an all-pro and one of the five nominees for NFL defensive player of the year. And on Sunday Brown Deer will watch as one of their own plays in the Super Bowl.

"It's awesome. I'm so proud of him and all the things that he's accomplished. He deserves it. I don't tear up often, but this is pretty special."