Football: Zanders proof that hard work pays off

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • November 27, 2009

For as long as Antwyne Zanders can remember, people have doubted him.

 

It started during his prep days at Jewel Sumner High School in Kentwood. It happened again when he arrived at UL as an undersized linebacker in 2005 and had to sit out that season to become academically eligible.

Nothing was able to keep Zanders from realizing his dream of playing college football. He got his grades, bulked up and developed into a three-year starter for the Ragin’ Cajuns (6-5, 4-3 Sun Belt).

More importantly, Zanders will earn his college degree in December.

"I just look at it like you’ve got to work for what you want," said Zanders, who will play his final home game at 6 p.m. Saturday against Troy

(8-3, 7-0). "It doesn’t matter what other people say or think about you. I think hard work always has great results."

Zanders is proof.

Going into Saturday, Zanders is the Sun Belt’s second-leading tackler this season with 98 total stops and 61 solos. He was the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high 15 tackles (14 solo) in a 17-15 upset of Kansas State on Sept. 12.

Zanders is on pace to make 107 tackles this season. That would be the most by a Cajun since Damon Mason had 135 tackles in 1996. He is also expected to be voted all-conference for the third time.

"He’s very intense and very passionate about the game and has that same approach with his schoolwork," UL coach Rickey Bustle said. "That’s why he’s going to be successful in life. He’s worked awfully hard to get where he is."

That hard work started back in high school.

As a multi-sport standout at Sumner High, Zanders led the football team to four consecutive district championships and was a first-team Class 2A all-state selection as a junior and senior. He finished as the Division II state runner-up power lifter in the 198-pound weight class and set a school record in the discus.

In an example of his character, Zanders was also a recipient of the American Legion School Award for courage, honor, leadership and patriotism.

Zanders had all the accolades but lacked the size and grades to play football at the NCAA’s highest level.

Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic and Florida International showed interest, but he decided to sign with the Cajuns after being pursued by UL recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach Troy Wingerter.

Zanders sat out the 2005 season to gain academic eligibility but made the most of his time away from the field with diligent work in the classroom and weight room.

"We saw a guy who would hit and run," Bustle said of Zanders, who is now listed at 6-foot-2, 232 pounds. "He was an active linebacker. As coaches, we call it a motor. He plays and practices that way."

His impact was felt immediately after becoming eligible in 2006. Zanders recorded his first sack in the season opener at No. 8 LSU, added a season-high nine tackles at Texas A&M and finished fifth on the team with 43 tackles.

By 2007, Zanders became a starter and garnered second-team all-conference honors. He was among the league leaders that season with 93 tackles, including 13 at No. 24 Tennessee.

Last season Zanders led the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and tied for first with 69 tackles. That helped him earn honorable mention all-conference recognition. His teammates also voted him the team’s defensive MVP.

After a late-season loss at Troy, Zanders went into the stands to chase a Troy student who took a sledgehammer that UL’s defensive players bring to every practice and game. Zanders simply demanded it back, and the student wisely listened.

"I’ve never played with anyone in any sport who has more passion than he does," said defensive end Chris Lanaux. "A lot of us feed off of him. I’m a senior, and I still feed off of him today. He’s a great teammate and a great character guy for this program."

That Troy student later wrote a letter to Zanders apologizing for taking the sledgehammer.

"He tried to take something that was mine and a part of the team," Zanders said. "Nobody does that to this team, so I went and got it."

Zanders tackled another obstacle in May, completing at least 80 percent of his degree requirements prior to his fifth year of enrollment to earn a fourth season of competition. He also passed a summer class so he could graduate in December.

His production has jumped to another level this season as Zanders will likely finish with more than 100 tackles and be an all-conference player. He also hopes to lead the Cajuns past Troy for their seventh win, which would strengthen their bowl chances.

But perhaps his proudest moment will take place in December when he becomes the second member of his family to graduate from college.

"I’ve always had trouble in the classroom, so it’s going to be amazing to realize a lifelong dream and get my degree," said Zanders, who has majored in general studies with a minor in business. "It’s going to be amazing to walk across that stage."