 Zander joined the Tennessee Volunteers in 1981, part of a signing class that included Alvin Toles, Reggie McKenzie, Raleigh McKenzie, Johnnie Jones, and Alan Cockrell.During his freshman year in 1981, he played only sparingly as a reserve behind veteran Mike Cofer, and registered 11 tackles (6 solo).His first start came in the finale against Vanderbilt, in which he had 9 tackles (1 for a loss) and a batted-down pass.