At Buffalo Grove, he played quarterback where he set the school records in scoring (202 total points), and rushing (2357 yards, 7.4 average, 32 tds) before becoming a defensive back as well.

He made his debut as a sophomore in 2004, appearing in all 12 games and finished fourth best on the team with 70 total tackles (37 solo, 33 assisted) and two forced fumbles.

He was named Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 19 following his performance at Michigan State as he had a team-high nine tackles, forced a fumble and returned it for a 75-yard TD and recorded his first career interception.

Zbikowski broke out as one of college football's best utility players during his junior season, excelling as a safety and a return man.

He finished fourth on the team with 71 total tackles and led the defense with five interceptions while leading the Irish to the Fiesta Bowl.

He served as 2006 team captain alongside Brady Quinn and Travis Thomas and was selected to the second-team All-American squad by the Walter Camp Football Foundation after helping the Irish earn a bid in the Sugar Bowl.

Zbikowski was also named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press and was a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's best defensive back.

Zbikowski returned to Notre Dame for his fifth year in 2007, recording a career-high 80 total tackles with a pair of interceptions and fumble recoveries.

He made his professional debut on September 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, posting his first career tackle on special teams during a 17–10 win.

On March 23, 2013, Zbikowski was signed by the Chicago Bears to a one-year deal worth $715,000, but was released on August 25 during training camp.

[7] Zbikowski was appointed as the head coach for the Saint Patrick High School football team, effective February 1, 2025.

On June 10, 2006, while still in college, Zbikowski made his professional boxing debut at Madison Square Garden in New York City, beating his opponent, Robert Bell of Akron, Ohio, by TKO within 49.0 seconds of the first round.

Zbikowski boxed a three-round exhibition fight against Ryan St. Germain on March 2, 2007, at the Century Center in South Bend, Indiana.

On March 12, 2011, Zbikowski returned to the ring for the first time since 2007, taking on 1–2 35-year-old Richard Bryant in Las Vegas, amidst ongoing NFL labor contract discord.

His last fight was on October 17, 2017, when he defeated a boxer named Martez Williamson who was ranked 639th in the world at the time, and whose won-lost record was 3–20 after the bout.