{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography |name=Spencer Sanders |image=File:SpencerSandersISUvs.OSU2019 (cropped).jpg |caption= Sanders with Oklahoma State in 2019 |currentteam=DC Defenders |number=18 |position=Quarterback |college= * Oklahoma State (2018–2022) * Ole Miss (2023) |high_school=Billy Ryan (Denton, Texas) |birth_date={{birth date and age|1999|12|15}} |birth_place=Dallas, Texas, U.S. |height_ft=6 |height_in=2 |weight_lb=219 |highlights= * UFL champion (2025) * First-team All-Big 12 (2021) * Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2019) |undraftedyear=2024 |pastteams= * DC Defenders ({{UFL Year|2025}}–present) |status=Active }} '''Spencer Sanders''' (born December 15, 1999) is an American professional football quarterback for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Ole Miss Rebels.
==Early life== Sanders grew up in Denton, Texas and attended Billy Ryan High School. He passed for 3,288 yards and 35 touchdowns along with 1,099 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in his junior season before tearing his ACL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma-state/Article/Oklahoma-State-quarterbacks-Dru-Brown-and-Spencer-Sanders-faced-adversity-134187821/|title=Facing adversity has put Brown and Sanders in good position|first=Robert|last=Allen|website=247Sports.com|date=August 4, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> Rated a four-star recruit, Sanders committed to play college football at Oklahoma State during his junior year over offers from Colorado, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Penn State and Texas A&M.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://n.rivals.com/news/spencer-sanders-commits-to-oklahoma-state-after-cowboys-big-win|title=Spencer Sanders commits to Oklahoma State after Cowboys' big win|first=Nick|last=Krueger|website=Rivals.com|date=October 1, 2016|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> As a senior, Sanders threw for 3,845 yards and 54 touchdowns and ran for 1,380 yards and 16 touchdowns and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year, the Associated Press Player of the Year, and Texas Mr. Football.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/2017/12/22/denton-ryan-qb-spencer-sanders-is-named-state-player-of-the-year-by-ap/|title=Denton Ryan QB Spencer Sanders is named state player of the year by AP|work=The Dallas Morning News|publisher=Associated Press|date=December 22, 2017|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/college/oklahoma-state-commit-spencer-sanders-named-texas-football/piJX3bkHXojje45G6IQo1L/|title=Oklahoma State commit Spencer Sanders named Mr. Texas Football|first=Hunter|last=Cooke|website=DaytonDailyNews.com|date=December 18, 2017|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref>
==College career== ===Oklahoma State=== Sanders redshirted his true freshman season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/5640633/osu-football-redshirt-year-helped-create-the-spencer-sanders-you-see-now|title=OSU football: Redshirt year helped create the Spencer Sanders you see now|work=The Oklahoman|date=September 7, 2019}}</ref> After competing with Dru Brown throughout spring practice and summer training camp, Sanders was named the Cowboys starting quarterback just before the season opener.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/2019/07/30/with-his-rocket-arm-former-denton-ryan-star-spencer-sanders-is-primed-for-oklahoma-state-qb-competition/|title= With his 'rocket' arm, former Denton Ryan star Spencer Sanders primed for Oklahoma State QB competition|work=The Dallas Morning News|date= July 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma-state/Article/Cowboy-football-Spencer-Sanders-starting-quarterback-Oregon-State-134955184/|title=Report: Spencer Sanders to start at Oregon State|first=Zach|last=Lancaster|website=247Sports.com|date=August 30, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> Sanders was named the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week for week 2 after throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns on 12 of 18 passing with 51 yards rushing in slightly more than one half of play against McNeese State.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/osu-football-cowboys-quarterback-spencer-sanders-named-big-newcomer-of/article_a31ce18f-ccc5-5fef-bf3e-37bb3db082eb.html|title=OSU football: Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week|first=Frank|last=Bonner II|work=Tulsa World|date=September 9, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> Sanders was named the Newcomer of the Week a second time after completing nine of 12 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 88 yards in a 34–27 win against TCU.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kfor.com/2019/11/04/cowboys-almost-sweep-big-12-honors-for-week-10/|title=Cowboys Almost Sweep Big 12 Honors For Week 10|first=Dylan|last=Buckingham|website=KFOR.com|date=November 4, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> The following game against Kansas Sanders suffered a torn ligament in his throwing hand, ending his redshirt freshman season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/big12/2019/11/22/spencer-sanders-oklahoma-state-out-season-thumb-injury/4269418002/|title=Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders to miss rest of season with thumb injury|first=Scott|last=Wright|website=USAToday.com|date=November 22, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> He threw for 2,065 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while rushing for 625 yards and two touchdowns and was named the conference Offensive Freshman of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28133003/thumb-surgery-sidelines-oklahoma-state-spencer-sanders|title=Sources: Thumb surgery sidelines Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders|website=ESPN.com|date=November 21, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ksal.com/2019-all-big-12-football-awards-announced/|title=2019 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced|website=KSAL.com|date=December 4, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019}}</ref>
Sanders suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of 2020 season opening game against Tulsa and missed the following game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/osu-football-spencer-sanders-could-return-against-ku-but-injuries-on-the-offensive-line-will/article_5e229722-033f-11eb-8263-5355c0b67524.html|title=OSU football: Spencer Sanders could return against KU, but injuries on the offensive line will take time|work=Tulsa World|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref> He finished the season with 2,007 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/03/27/oklahoma-state-football-quarterback-spencer-sanders/7005731002/|title=Oklahoma State football: What do coaches want to see from Spencer Sanders in spring?|work=The Oklahoman|date=March 27, 2021|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref> Sanders was named the MVP of the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl after passing for 305 yards and four touchdowns in a 37–34 win against the Miami Hurricanes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-12-29/spencer-sanders-oklahoma-state-miami-cheez-it-bowl|title=Sanders, Oklahoma State beat Miami 37–34 in Cheez-It Bowl|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 29, 2020|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref>
Sanders missed the opener of his redshirt junior season against Missouri State after he tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32147330/oklahoma-state-cowboys-qb-spencer-sanders-opener-due-covid-19-protocols-sources-say|title=Spencer Sanders out for Oklahoma State opener; QB in COVID-19 protocols, per sources|first=Chris|last=Low|website=ESPN.com|date=September 4, 2021|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref> He passed for 214 yards and one touchdown and 93 yards and another touchdown in Oklahoma State's 37–33 rivalry game victory against Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/spencer-sanders-oklahoma-state-cowboys-oklahoma-sooners-1.1727356|title=Sanders leads No. 7 Oklahoma State past No. 10 Oklahoma|website=TSN.ca|publisher=Associated Press|date=November 27, 2021|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref> Sanders was named first team All-Big 12 after completing 243 of 392 pass attempts for 2,839 yards and 20 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions and 668 rushing yards with six touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/big-12-quarterback-outlooks-2022-texas-oklahoma/xno7fxk5kwghahspg3lzcoz3|title=Big 12 quarterback outlooks for 2022: All eyes on Texas, Oklahoma transfers|first=Bill|last=Bender|work=Sporting News|date=February 10, 2022|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/guerin-emig-spencer-sanders-scrutinized-as-always-gets-his-say-against-notre-dame/article_74874612-69ae-11ec-9c89-9714136d6e5b.html|title=Spencer Sanders, scrutinized as always, gets his say against Notre Dame|first=Guerin|last=Emig|work=Tulsa World|date=January 3, 2022|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref>
On December 5, 2022, it was reported by multiple sources that Sanders intended to enter the transfer portal. <ref>{{cite tweet |author=Oklahoma State Cowboys on 247Sports |user=OKState247 |number=1599854764484853760 |date=December 5, 2022 |title=𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: #OKState quarterback Spencer Sanders intends to enter the transfer portal, multiple sources tell @247Sports. https://t.co/76LAxhH9eA |language=en |access-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref>
===Ole Miss=== On January 19, 2023, Sanders transferred to Ole Miss.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=The Grove Report |title=Oklahoma State Transfer QB Spencer Sanders Commits to Ole Miss |url=https://www.si.com/college/olemiss/recruiting/oklahoma-state-cowboys-transfer-qb-spencer-sanders-commits-ole-miss-rebels |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=The Grove Report – Sports Illustrated at Ole Miss |date=January 19, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He served as the primary backup to Jaxson Dart during the 2023 season. Sanders made his Rebels debut in the season opener against Mercer, completing 8 of 14 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web |title=Football Dominates Mercer in Season-Opening Victory, 73-7 |url=https://olemisssports.com/news/2023/9/2/football-dominates-mercer-in-season-opening-victory-73-7 |website=Ole Miss Athletics |date=September 2, 2023 |access-date=May 17, 2026}}</ref> He appeared in nine games during the season, completing 19 of 29 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns while adding 45 rushing yards.
===Statistics=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing |- ! GP !! GS !! Record !! Comp !! Att !! Pct !! Yards !! Avg !! TD !! Int !! Rate !! Att !! Yards !! Avg !! TD |- ! 2018 !! Oklahoma State | 0 || 0 || — || colspan="12" | ''Redshirted 15px|Redshirt'' |- ! 2019 !! Oklahoma State | 11 || 10 || 7−3 || 155 || 247 || 62.8 || 2,065 || 8.4 || 16 || 11 || 145.4 || 139 || 628 || 4.5 || 2 |- ! 2020 !! Oklahoma State | 9 || 9 || 6−3 || 155 || 247 || 62.8 || 2,007 || 8.1 || 14 || 8 || 143.2 || 101 || 269 || 2.7 || 2 |- ! 2021 !! Oklahoma State | '''13''' || '''13''' || '''11−2''' || '''243''' || '''391''' || 62.1 || '''2,839''' || 7.2 || '''20''' || '''12''' || 133.9 || '''146''' || '''668''' || '''4.6''' || 6 |- ! 2022 !! Oklahoma State | 10 || 9 || 6−3 || 212 || 368 || 57.6 || 2,642 || 7.2 || 17 ||9|| 128.3 || 107 || 391 || 3.7 || '''8''' |- ! 2023 !! Ole Miss | 9 || 0 || — || 19 || 29 || '''65.5''' || 278 || '''9.6''' || 3 || 0 || '''180.2''' || 11 || 45 || 4.1 || 0 |- ! colspan="2"|Career<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/spencer-sanders-1.html|title=Spencer Sanders College Stats|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref> !! 52 !! 41 !! 30−11 !! 784 !! 1,282 !! 61.2 !! 9,831 !! 7.7 !! 70 !! 40 !! 137.3 !! 504 !! 2,001 !! 4.0 !! 18 |}
==Professional career== On February 17, 2025, Sanders signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFL Communications Department |url=https://x.com/ufl_pr/status/1891629090286764346?s=46 |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=X.com}}</ref> He spent the season as the Defenders' third-string quarterback behind Jordan Ta'amu and Mike DiLiello and did not record any passing statistics, though he did record a 14-yard reception while appearing in two games.
On January 12, 2026, Sanders was selected by the DC Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Paolantonio |first1=Christian |title=DC Defenders Retain QB Room, Sign Three Players During Regional College Allocation Process |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/column/dc-defenders-retain-qb-room-sign-three-players-during-regional-college-allocation-process/ |website=PFNewsroom.com |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref> He returned as the Defenders' third-string quarterback behind Ta'amu and DiLiello before being elevated to the primary backup role after DiLiello was traded during the season. Sanders' only appearance through the first seven games came in Week 6 against the Dallas Renegades, when he played wide receiver and recorded three receptions for 13 yards. In Week 8 against the Louisville Kings, Ta'amu suffered an injury in the first half and Sanders entered in relief. He completed 7 of 15 passes for 83 yards and an interception while adding 27 rushing yards in a 33–30 loss.<ref>{{cite web |title=Defenders Drop Second Straight Game Against Louisville, Fail To Lock Up Playoff Berth|url=https://wjla.com/sports/content/defenders-drop-second-straight-game-against-louisville-fail-to-lock-up-playoff-berth|website=WJLA |access-date=May 17, 2026}}</ref>
==UFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Receiving |- ! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Record|Record as a starter}} !! {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} !! {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} !! {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} !! {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} !! {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Average yards per rush}} !! {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Yards per reception}} !! {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} |- ! 2025 !! DC | 2 || 0 || — || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 14 || 14.0 || 0 |- ! 2026 !! DC | 3 || 1 || 0–1 || 17 || 36 || 47.2 || 243 || 6.8 || 0 || 1 || 58.0 || 13 || 102 || 7.9 || 0 || 3 || 13 || 4.3 || 0 |- ! colspan="2"| [https://www.footballdb.com/players/spencer-sanders-sandesp02 Career] !! 5 || 1 || 0–1 || 17 || 36 || 47.2 || 243 || 6.8 || 0 || 1 || 58.0 || 13 || 102 || 7.9 || 0 || 4 || 27 || 6.8 || 0 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://okstate.com/sports/football/roster/spencer-sanders/7360 Oklahoma State Cowboys profile]
{{DC Defenders roster navbox}} {{2025 DC Defenders}} {{Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback navbox}}{{DC Defenders starting quarterback navbox}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanders, Spencer}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys football players Category:Players of American football from Denton, Texas Category:Ole Miss Rebels football players Category:DC Defenders players