Former Oklahoma State QB Spencer Sanders transfers to Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. (BVM) – After a long wait, one of the most sought after quarterbacks in the college football transfer portal has finally made his decision. On Thursday, former Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders officially announced he will be transferring to Ole Miss.
Another huge portal get for @Lane_Kiffin. QB Spencer Sanders tells ESPN he will play for @OleMissFB in 2023. His choice came down to Ole Miss and Auburn. Rebels had already landed 5-star QB Walker Howard. Sanders was a 4-year starter for @CowboyFB and accounted for 85 career TDs.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) January 19, 2023
"So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
"
PROVERBS 3:4-6 @Hayesfawcett3 appreciate the edit pic.twitter.com/ImHDhOG7rH— Spencer Sanders (@SpenceSanders) January 19, 2023
Sanders had been the starting quarterback for the past four seasons at Oklahoma State, throwing for 9,553 yards and 67 touchdowns with the Cowboys. The dual-threat quarterback also ran for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns during his time in Stillwater. He officially announced he would be entering the transfer portal in early December.
Thank you! pic.twitter.com/y8LwvcR1AL
— Spencer Sanders (@SpenceSanders) December 5, 2022
Last season, Sanders threw for 2,642 yards and 17 touchdowns as he helped the Pokes to a 5-0 start. Unfortunately, Oklahoma State would lose in three of its next five games which Sanders started. The Cowboys suffered a couple more losses with Sanders sitting out the team’s regular season finale and bowl game against Wisconsin to finish the year at 7-6.
The 2022 season was yet another year in which Sanders impressed on the gridiron. A former Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Football winner from Texas, the 6-foot-1 quarterback took over as the starter for the Pokes in 2019, throwing for over 2,000 yards in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Arguably his best season in Stillwater came as a junior when he threw for 2,839 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing 668 yards and six scores.
Sanders will have one year of eligibility remaining at Ole Miss, and while he immediately becomes the favorite to start in 2023, he does join a suddenly loaded quarterback room. Earlier this week, former five-star quarterback Walker Howard announced that he was transferring from LSU to Ole Miss. Both he and Sanders will join incumbent quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Hotty Toddy🔴🔵 @OleMissFB @Lane_Kiffin #committed pic.twitter.com/Ua7hmehq9p
— Walker Howard (@Walker_Howard4) January 18, 2023
In 2022, Dart threw for 2,974 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 618 yards on the ground in his first season in Oxford following his transfer from USC. Although the Rebels started 7-0, they would go on to lose five of their final six games, including a loss in the TaxAct Texas Bowl to Texas Tech.
While Sanders reportedly considered joining Hugh Freeze at Auburn as well, he instead will get to work with one of college football’s top offensive minds in Lane Kiffin. Despite some rumors he might move on from Ole Miss towards the end of the season, Kiffin will enter his fourth year with the Rebels in 2023, and will likely have high expectations bestowed upon he and the team with a veteran quarterback like Sanders on board.
Ole Miss’ 2023 season will begin on Saturday, Sept. 2 with a non-conference opener against Mercer. However, the schedule will get tough in a hurry as they begin SEC play with a game at Alabama, then come home the following week to host LSU.
It certainly won’t be the easiest of starts, but with Sanders at the helm and plenty of talent behind him, Ole Miss could very well become a contender in the SEC, and seems poised for a better finish in 2023.
