Anthony Lanier II

Anthony M. Lanier, II (born May 8, 1993) is an American football defensive end for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Alabama A&M University and was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

After going unselected in the 2016 NFL Draft, Lanier signed with the Washington Redskins on May 6, 2016. Standing out in training camp and the preseason, the team announced he made the 53-man roster on September 3, 2016. In his NFL debut in Week 8, Lanier recovered a fumble forced by Chris Baker on Bengals’ quarterback Andy Dalton. He was placed on injured reserve on December 13, 2016.

Lanier was inactive for the first six games of 2017. In Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints, he recorded first career sack on Drew Brees. He would have a breakout performance in Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals recording two sacks, three pass deflections, and a forced fumble. On September 3, 2018, the Redskins waived/injured Lanier. He went unclaimed in the waiver stage and reverted to the team’s injured reserve list before being waived with an injury settlement on September 8.

On November 7, 2018, Lanier was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 20, 2018.

On August 31, 2019, Lanier was waived by the Chargers and signed to the practice squad the next day. His practice squad contract with the team expired on January 6, 2020.

On January 8, 2020, Lanier signed a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was waived on April 28, 2020.

Lanier had a tryout with the Detroit Lions on August 19, 2020.

Lanier was signed by the New Orleans Saints on August 29, 2020. He was placed on injured reserve on September 5, 2020 and waived with an injury settlement on September 11.

Lanier signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL on March 2, 2021 and has remained with the Roughriders until his contract ended December 2022. Lanier was the CFL Top Performer of the Week and led the league in QB pressures. He made the CFL All-Pro Team for Defense 2022.

Lanier’s nonprofit organization, Undefeated Warrior the Anthony M Lanier II Foundation, Inc. provides support to community-based organizations to promote education, good health, and the development of character, social skills and values that will empower youth in Savannah to recognize and reach their full potential. Undefeated Warrior AML2F hosts an annual summer youth football camp and a Thanksgiving Turkey & Food drive.

As a result of his love for his community and consistently giving back, Lanier was honored as a Hometown Hero by WTOC News, Weather, and Sports Savannah, GA.

July 1st was declared “Anthony M. Lanier, II Day” in his hometown Savannah, Georgia by former mayor Eddie Deloach.

Lanier was also given a key to the city by the current mayor of Savannah Van Johnson, III.