PALMETTO (SNN-TV) – Earlier this week the Palmetto Tigers football program announced the hiring of new head coach Rashad West, now, just days later, they’re in search of a new starting quarterback.
Class of 2025 QB Zander Smith is transferring from Palmetto High School, and it was confirmed to SNN by Smith that he’s Polk County bound, as he’ll be joining the reigning Class 4S State Champion Lakeland Dreadnaughts.
On Wednesday, Smith took to Twitter thanking the Tigers program and former head coach Dave Marino, saying he’s “Forever a Tiger”.
Smith led Palmetto to a 6-4 record last season, despite falling to Lehigh in the first round of the playoffs. In nine regular season games, Smith completed 111-of-197 passes for 1,638 yards and 14 TD’s, for a final QBR of 92.6
Smith joins a undefeated Lakeland program that graduates last year’s starting QB Zachary Pleuss, while also beginning a new era after Bill Castle retired this offseason after 47 years at the helm for the Dreadnaughts. Lakeland High named four-year assistant Marvin Frazier the new head coach last month.