Former Ole Miss quarterback Spencer Sanders has officially signed a contract with a United Football League (UFL) team, marking the next chapter in his football career. After a five-year college career that included four seasons as the starting quarterback for Oklahoma State before transferring to Ole Miss in 2023, Sanders is now set to take his talents to the professional ranks.
A College Career of Ups and Downs
Sanders was a highly touted recruit coming out of Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, where he was rated as a four-star dual-threat quarterback. He committed to Oklahoma State and quickly made an impact, winning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2019 after throwing for 2,065 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 628 rushing yards.
Over his four seasons in Stillwater, Sanders became one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the Big 12. His best season came in 2021, when he led Oklahoma State to a 12-2 record, including a Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame. That year, he threw for 2,839 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while rushing for 668 yards and six scores. Despite dealing with injuries and inconsistency at times, he finished his career as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Oklahoma State history, ranking in the top three in program history in career passing yards and touchdowns.
However, following the 2022 season, Sanders opted to enter the transfer portal, ultimately choosing Ole Miss in hopes of competing for the starting job. Unfortunately, his time in Oxford did not go as planned. With incumbent starter Jaxson Dart holding onto the QB1 role, Sanders saw limited action in 2023, attempting just 23 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. After a year as a backup, he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft but went undrafted.
A New Opportunity in the UFL
Now, Sanders is taking his next step in professional football by signing with a UFL team. The league, which was formed in 2024 as a merger between the XFL and USFL, provides an alternative path for players looking to showcase their talents and potentially earn a shot in the NFL. With teams such as the Birmingham Stallions, St. Louis Battlehawks, and Houston Roughnecks, the UFL has quickly established itself as a viable developmental league.
For Sanders, this is an opportunity to prove that he still has the skill set to be a starting quarterback at the professional level. His dual-threat ability, experience against top competition, and leadership skills could make him an intriguing player to watch in the UFL.
While it remains to be seen which team he will be playing for, Sanders’ signing is another example of how the UFL is giving players a second chance to pursue their football dreams. If he performs well, he could follow the path of other former college standouts who have used spring leagues as a stepping stone back to the NFL.