REPORT: Ole Miss QB Spencer Sanders Deemed Ineligible To Participate In Peach Bowl

Ole Miss Rebels QB Spencer Sanders has possibly played his last down at the college level.

Spencer Sanders' college career has possibly come to an end. 

According to reports, Sanders has been deemed academically ineligible to participate in Ole Miss’ 2023 season finale matchup against No. 10 Penn State in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30. His attention will now likely shift to pursuing a career in the NFL or other future leagues. 

Sanders, a four-year starter at Oklahoma State, elected to transfer to Oxford for his final year of eligibilty. Expected to be in competition with Jaxson Dart, Sanders was limited during spring football practice due to a lingering injury suffered in Stillwater. 

Dart, who set career numbers in 2023 en route to leading the No. 11 Rebels to their second 10-win season under Lane Kiffin, retained the starting role while Sanders was relegated to the backup job. In his lone season at Ole Miss, Sanders completed 19 of his 29 passes for 278 yards for three touchdown passes against zero turnovers, and rushed for 45 yards on 11 carries. 

Ole Miss QB Spencer Sanders  / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

Losing Sanders would sting for depth purposes. Dart wasn't in jeopardy of losing his starting job, and is expected to return for the 2024 season. Should he suffer an injury against the Nittany Lions (10-2), Kiffin would turn to former five-star and LSU passer Walker Howard, if Sanders is indeed unable to suit up.

Sanders would finish his college career with 9,831 passing yards and 70 touchdowns against 40 interceptions. He completed 61.1 percent of his throws and posted a career passer rating of 137.2. Sanders also rushed for 2,001 yards and 18 touchdowns. 

Former Mississippi State CB Announces Commitment To Ole Miss

The Rebels look to secure their first 11-win season in program history at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised ESPN on Saturday Dec. 30.

Ole Miss enters Atlanta as 3.5-point underdogs at the time of this writing.