Gannon University Athletics

2016: Zanders returns as one of Gannon’s starting defensive backs … enters the 2016 campaign fifth all-time at Gannon in career interceptions (10) … is one of three Golden Knights in program history to return two interceptions for a touchdown … has made a tackle during all 32 games during his first three seasons.

2015: Started all 11 games … was a two-time All-American, being named to the USA College Football first team and Don Hansen Football Gazette honorable-mention team … landed a spot on the Conference Commissioner's Association (CCA) and Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region One first teams … named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) first teams … selected to the USA College Football Preseason All-America first team ...  landed a spot on the Lindy's Sports College Football 2015 Preview Magazine Preseason All-America first team … led the PSAC and ranked 22nd nationally in interceptions per game (0.5) … finished sixth among PSAC players in tackles per game (8.6), eighth in passes defended per game (1.1) and 18th in solo tackles per game (4.1) … ranked 76th among all NCAA Division II players in passes defended per game and 79th in tackles per game … led Gannon in solo tackles (43), pass break-ups (7) and interceptions (5) … finished second among Golden Knights in tackles (95) and fourth in tackles for a loss (5.5) … produced the 14th-highest single-season total for tackles in program history … began the season with a season-high 16 tackles during a 26-22 victory at Southern Connecticut State, representing the ninth-highest single-game total in program history … added two tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two pass break-ups against the Owls … named PSAC Western Division Defensive Player of the Week twice and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Defensive Player of the Week three times … reached double digits in tackles three times … averaged 10.5 stops during the last two games … made at least four tackles in every game … registered a season-high seven solo tackles and intercepted a pass during the regular-season finale at East Stroudsburg … recorded nine stops in three consecutive games against Clarion, Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst … added a sack, forced fumble, interception and two pass break-ups against the Lakers … iced a 43-28 victory at Seton Hill with a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown.

2014: Started every game … named to the All-PSAC Western Division first team … accorded Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Region second-team accolades … ranked 15th among PSAC players in tackles per game (7.6) … named PSAC Western Division Defensive Player of the Week after making 10 tackles against Kutztown, including seven solo stops … had a tackle against the Golden Bears that resulted in a loss of 26 yards … reached double digits in tackles four times … opened the season with 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss against Southern Connecticut State … posted a season-best 13 tackles at Slippery Rock, before having 12 more stops the next week against Mercyhurst … accounted for nine of his 12 tackles against the Lakers with solo performances … made at least two tackles in every game … had eight tackles or more in a game six times … broke up multiple passes in a game twice … recorded his lone interception against East Stroudsburg in the season finale.

2013: Saw action in every game as a true freshman, starting 10 … led Gannon in interceptions (4) … was the Golden Knights’ second-leading tackler with 91 stops, representing the 13th-highest single-season total in school history … finished second on the team in solo tackles (40), second in assisted tackles (51) and fourth in tackles for a loss (5) … ranked ninth among PSAC players in interceptions per game (0.4) and tackles per game (9.3) … finished 55th among all NCAA Division II players in interceptions per game … made his collegiate debut during the season opener at Lake Erie, exploding onto the scene with 10 tackles … started the final 10 contests … produced 11 tackles during the second game against West Chester … recorded his first career interception against the Golden Rams, returning the pickoff 26 yards for a touchdown … made a season-high seven solo tackles during the first games of his collegiate career against Lake Erie and West Chester … produced his first sack at Clarion as part of a performance that featured seven stops and two tackles for a loss … intercepted two passes at California (Pa.) … reached double digits in tackles five times, including a season-best 12 stops to go along with a forced fumble at Indiana (Pa.) … added 10 tackles against Bloomsburg and Seton Hill … had at least five tackles during every game … recorded at least one solo tackle during every contest.

High School: Played for head coach David Johnson at Hopewell (N.C.) High School … earned all-conference honors as a senior … was a two-sport athlete, lettering twice in both football and track … received the perfect attendance award as a junior … was a member of the honor roll.

Personal: Risk Management major … has three sisters … is the son of Maria and Michael.

Career Highs
Tackles: 16 at Southern Connecticut State (9/5/15)
Solo Tackles: 9 vs. Mercyhurst (10/11/14)
Assisted Tackles: 10 at Southern Connecticut State (9/5/15)
Tackles for a Loss: 2, three times, last at Indiana (Pa.) (11/7/15)
TFL Yards: 26 vs. Kutztown (9/20/14)
Sacks: 1 at Mercyhurst (10/10/15); at Southern Connecticut State (9/5/15)
Sack Yards: 10 at Southern Connecticut State (9/5/15)
Forced Fumbles: 1, three times, last at Mercyhurst (10/10/15)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Slippery Rock (10/4/14)
Interceptions: 2 at Seton Hill (10/24/15); at California (Pa.) (10/26/13)
Interception Yards: 62 at Seton Hill (10/24/15)
Pass Break-Ups: 2, four times, last at Mercyhurst (10/10/15)
Points: 6 at Seton Hill (10/24/15); vs. West Chester (9/14/13)