Lane Kiffin breaks down Spencer Sanders' progress in Ole Miss offense
Lane Kiffin was honest about Spencer Sanders’ progress in the Ole Miss quarterback room. For now, the Oklahoma State transfer was limited from a medical sense.
But, Kiffin isn’t worried about Sanders falling behind. The mental reps are just as important in a quarterback competition with returning starter Jaxson Dart and fellow transfer and former four-star Walker Howard.
Kiffin raved about the former Cowboy’s talent.
“Yeah, we’ve limited what Spencer’s been able to do from a medical standpoint,” Kiffin said. “So, you know, we’re obviously looking at the long term there. not pushing too much right now. So I think he’s done a really good job learning a new system from a mental standpoint and so the physical stuff will come because obviously he’s talented.”
Sanders played 10 games last season after some injuries but finished with 2,642 yards, 17 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 57.6% completion percentage.
But over the course of four seasons with Oklahoma State, he was impressive with 9,553 yards, 67 touchdowns, 40 interceptions and a 61% completion percentage.
Spencer Sanders limited, but progressing
Howard might be the third man behind Dart and Sanders at this point though, just based on experience. Add to the fact Dart sees himself as the starter after winning the job last season and wants to use that metaility leading up to the regular season.
Kiffin kept it pretty simple about the team as a whole.
“I think that our offense is ahead of our defense, which is to be expected with the returning system back,” Kiffin said. “You know, and we got a brand new system on defense and a lot of new players and lost some good players, so I would say that would be my general assessment. A lot of work to do to develop depth on both sides of the ball, but also really excited about our guys and knowing that we will continue to improve with so many new guys.”
As a member of the Class of 2018, Sanders was a four-star recruit out of Denton (Texas) Ryan, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 18 overall prospect in the state, the No. 15 quarterback in the class and the No. 173 overall prospect in the class.