He later attended Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, where he originally played basketball before a coach advised him on playing football as it provided a better chance for him to receive an athletic scholarship.

[1] Zavala played college football for the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons from 2017 until deciding to transferring due to Fairmont's 2020 season being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[1] He eventually chose to play for the NC State Wolfpack as his mother lived near campus.

In a Week 5 game against the Detroit Lions, Zavala suffered a neck injury in the first quarter.

[6] Zavala's father, Demetrio, is a frequent contestant on the Food Network competitive cooking show Chopped.