'I've never ran from competition': Spencer Sanders is adapting to Ole Miss quarterback battle
Another round of spring football practices and with it another round of a battle to become the starting quarterback for Ole Miss with the arrival of Spencer Sanders..
While Jaxson Dart is the clubhouse leader of the three-man battle between him, Sanders and Walker Howard there is still a competition on going over the next four weeks and into fall camp.
Two practices are under the belts of Sanders and Howard, which is not enough of a sample size to discern anything or for them to have mastered a new offense. But, as the media was allowed to watch Thursday’s practice it allowed the first glimpse into the position battle.
For Sanders, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, he is the veteran in the room with four years of Division I college football experience. Transferring over from Oklahoma State, Sanders finds himself the new guy again with Howard.
“It’s a good battle,” Sanders said after Thursday’s practice. “Dart’s a really talented quarterback. So is Walker Howard, obviously, with him transferring in, too. Just kind of what everybody’s saying. We probably have the most stacked quarterback room, probably across the country. At the end of the day it’s only going to make each other better. We love each other out there and we got good relationships.”
Still, Sanders chose Ole Miss with the idea in mind he will be playing and not standing on the sideline holding a clipboard.
After four years as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys Sanders comes to Oxford having to earn that title once again.
Sanders committed to Ole Miss over other offers, including Auburn, after spending time with head coach Lane Kiffin and weighing all his options.
Once a decision was made Sanders chose to enter into a situation where he would not be the the guy immediately stepping on campus. Instead he is embracing the environment he finds himself in.
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“I’ve never ran from competition,” Sanders said. “Opportunity. I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity here. Kiffin’s a smart coach. (Co-offensive coordinator) coach (Charlie) Weis is a very smart offensive coordinator. We got a good team here, good players. I’m just excited.”
The advantage in the competition goes to Dart, who has a season at Ole Miss under his belt.
Dart has the experience and a year in Kiffin and Weis’ system that Sanders and Howard do not yet. The latter two are walking in the same shoes Dart did a year ago when he transferred in from Southern California.
Earlier this week Kiffin spoke on how the quarterback battle is a “competitive” one and has a stronger room than he did this time a year ago.
There is a clean slate feel to spring this year as it pertains to the quarterback position, which is the mindset Sanders is taking.
“I’d say as much advantage-wise, I mean I’d give it to (Dart) over me and Walker just because obviously he’s been here,” Sanders said. “We’re quarterbacks. We have to adapt. We have to learn the playbook. It’s our job.”
Watch Sanders full post-practice interview below. Video provided by Ole Miss Sports Productions.
