Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll give you our analysis on each 2019 Clemson football freshman. Today, let’s take a look at Lannden Zanders.
We’ve got just a little more than three months until the 2019 Clemson football season is officially underway.
During that time, the ACC Football Kickoff will take place, as well as the All-In Cookout, Dabo Swinney’s annual Media Golf Outing and fall camp.
As we head into the midst of summer, Rubbing the Rock will be bringing you a series detailing each Clemson football freshman for the 2019 class.
Today, let’s continue with a look at safety Lannden Zanders.
Talent Analysis:
Zanders is a different type of safety as compared to what we’ve seen the Clemson football coaching staff recruit in the past.
The Tigers have gotten a few big safeties who play physically in the past, but that’s not at all what they went after in this 2019 cycle.
Zanders measures in at 6-foot-1 and weighs about 187 pounds. The Tigers didn’t recruit him because of his strength, but rather his athleticism and acceleration. There have been plenty of instances over the past few seasons where safeties have been burnt over the top. It’s not just the current safeties, either.
It’s been a continuous problem for quite some time where the Tigers will have guys a bit out of position and they aren’t able to recover with closing speed.
Zanders doesn’t always make the right read and he’s not quite as big and physical as some of the other guys we’ve seen come through the Clemson football program, but his closing speed, angles and acceleration are off the charts. If he is out of position, he’s able to recover and still deflect a pass.
Immediate Impact?
Zanders could potentially compete for playing time as a freshman, but it is more likely that the coaching staff chooses to redshirt him. He needs to get in the weight room and put on a few more pounds. The Tigers already have some experienced options at safety, including Tanner Muse, K’Von Wallace, Denzel Johnson and Nolan Turner.
Fellow freshman Joseph Charleston is also a guy that is most likely ahead of Zanders on the depth chart. With all of that considered, he will likely redshirt and come back next season as a major competitor for playing time at the safety position.