Spencer Sanders not 'getting ice cream' with Jaxson Dart but 'cordial', notes they've helped each other

May 30, 2023

Ole Miss remains just four days away from their home season opener, without a solidified starting quarterback named. We’ve seen this before, and looking ahead, will probably see it again next season. I digress. This year’s starting quarterback battle has seemingly been narrowed down to Jaxson Dart and Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders.

After two days of speaking with players and speaking with head coach Lane Kiffin following Monday’s practice, it seems like Saturday’s game against Mercer will set the stage for the two signal-callers to audition for this year’s starting gig.

Both Dart and Sanders spoke with local reporters following Tuesday’s practice and claimed they have not been informed of their roles for Saturday.

“No, I’ve not heard anything,” Sanders revealed. “We’re still just going to compete everyday and get better.”

After roughly six months of time in Oxford and being around Ole Miss’ only returning scholarship quarterback, how would Sanders describe his relationship with Dart up to this point? Well, it’s certainly interesting.

“I would say it’s pretty good, I wouldn’t say it’s bad,” Sanders explained. “I wouldn’t say we go out and get ice cream together when we’re at home, but we’re cordial. We’re mutual, we talk to each other. We help each other (and) he’s actually helped me quite a bit. Obviously he’s been here (and) knows the offense. You want to be the best at offense, you at least have another person who was the best here before you get here. So, you learn things.”

For what it’s worth, from what the media saw during Tuesday’s practice, Sanders seemed to have easily won the day. Although he says he’s gotten the plays down, his execution could still use some work he says.

“Knowing the plays, yeah I’d say it’s mastered. Operating, I have a couple difficulties obviously here and there with new things, but I mean I kind of feel like that’s life,” Sanders added. “We have new obstacles thrown at us everyday. Whether it’s our daily job or not, you know? We still do the base of what we need to do, but we always add things to make it better. It’s like your (reporter) job, you’ll try to ask me a question to get some hot story (in) the media. I’m just here to take it day-by-day (and) control what I can control.”

During the spring period Sanders was battling a shoulder injury that limited his throwing abilities, distance in particular, but that is no longer an issue and Sanders is excited.

“I’ve felt great. (I) just keep getting better everyday. Getting really good with the offense we’re all familiar with and just kind of having that natural coordination with it (shoulder)…I feel like I’ve excelled a lot of ways in this offense and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Prior to his arrival in Oxford, Sanders was a four-year starter at Oklahoma State. In those four seasons Sanders had completed 61.1 percent (765-of-1,253) of his passes for 9,553 passing yards to go with 67 touchdown passes to 40 interceptions. On the ground, Sanders has rushed for nearly 2,000 yards to go with 18 touchdowns.

Inside the Rebels will continue to keep you covered all throughout the 2023 season with updates, notes, breaking news, facts, observations and more. The next media availability practice is set for Tuesday August 29. Ole Miss will begin their 2023 campaign inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium against Mercer Sept.2. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT and can be seen on SECN+/ESPN+ or listened to on the Ole Miss Radio Network.