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Move back to tight end a career rejuvenation for Zanders

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•04/21/22•

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Getting moved from tight end to defensive line might have signaled the end for Dante Zanders with the Florida Gators.

Even to him, the writing was on the wall.

That’s why several months ago Zanders hit the transfer portal. It had been a long, winding career for the 2018 signee.

Zanders committed to Jim McElwain’s staff. By the time he arrived on campus the coaching staff that had recruited him was gone. Dan Mullen’s staff was in place and Kyle Pitts was getting ready to emerge as the John Mackey Award winner.

Zanders was moved to defense. He told All Gators, that it was actually that move to defense that made him believe he belonged.

“I have no clue why, I just saw everybody and I felt like I couldn’t compete at that level. Once I switched over to defense, being around Zach Carter and Gervon Dexter all the time, it made me realize that I can actually play with these boys,” Zanders said in the interview, acknowledging the new duties required being physical, doing the hitting instead of taking it. “That helped me build up my confidence. Then over the years built my body up better than where I was before.”

While Zanders’ move to defense provided confidence that he belonged, it didn’t provide more playing time.

Move back was out of necessity

Zanders continued on the defensive end of the ball. He was buried on the depth chart behind one of players he credited with giving him the confidence that he belonged. With Carter leaving this offseason, there was an opening for him.

Then the Gators lost Nick Elksnis and Jonathan Odom to spring camp-ending injuries. Additionally, Gage Wilcox was lost to an injury and is no longer on the team.

With the tight end room starting to empty out, Zanders was called upon to move back to his old position. He embraced the move.

“We get three scholarship tight ends injured, out for spring, three four, five practices in. We move him over from defense and the guy picked it up quickly. He did the extra. I saw him around the facility more than some of our coaches. He was in there, grinding away and he has ability,” Napier said of Zanders.

“The guy is 6-5, weighs 260 pounds. He’s loose, he can transition, he’s got good ball skills. Most importantly, he’s smart and he’s consistent. The guy is heavy-handed at the point of attack. I mean, he’s a godsend. Not only did he make the move but that guy will be running out there. He’s going to make a lot of plays for us. Extremely pleased with Dante.”

The move will be permanent for Zanders and Florida. The Gators will get an influx of talent this summer. They’ll also get Elksnis and Odom back, but Zanders is staying put at tight end.

“You can immediately see where he’s got a future,” said Napier. “I can’t compliment him enough. I mean he’s been the story of the spring.”

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