Clemson's Zanders Stepping Away from Football

Injuries have forced Tigers' safety to give up the game

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Another Clemson football player has decided to step away from the game due to injuries.

Lannden Zanders, who has played safety for the Tigers since 2019, has decided to step away from the game. The redshirt junior made his announcement via social media on Wednesday.

Zanders joins former center Hunter Rayburn, who announced in the spring he was giving up football due to neck issues. Zanders is giving up the game because of shoulder injuries that have nagged him since preseason camp in 2020.

He played through the injuries after tearing his Labrum during the 2020 season. He had surgery at the end of that season to fix the issue, but he again injured his shoulder in Week 1 against Georgia in 2021 and missed all of last year.

"After battling three shoulder injuries in the span of a year, including playing through the 2020 season with a torn labrum and missing most of last season after getting hurt in the season opener, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to step away from playing the game I love," Zanders said via social media.

Zanders finished his college career with 57 tackles during his time playing for Clemson. Five of those tackles went for loss and three of those were sacks.

He played in 25 games in his three seasons with the Tigers, including 10 starts.

"While I’ve worked with our trainers and doctors to return to the field I just do not believe I’m physically able to be the kind of player I’ve always prided myself on being," Zanders wrote. "So I’m disappointed I will not play football again, I’ll leave the game with no regrets.

"I am proud I got to play beside so many great teammates and for so many great coaches. Even as I enter my next chapter, I am proud that my journey and my life story include the opportunity to have played football at Clemson."

Zanders' best season came in 2020. He was credited with 34 tackles (2.5 for loss), three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a sack in 394 snaps, while playing in 10 games. 

He started in nine of those 10 games for the Tigers.

Zanders indicated in his social media message that he will finish his degree at Clemson.

"I’ve given everything I’ve had to the program, and I’ll give everything I have to support my brothers on the team in a new way while I work on finishing my degree," he said. "Coach Swinney always says committing to Clemson is a lifetime decision, and even away from the field, I’ll be a Clemson Tiger for life."