Can Spencer Sanders Win Defenders Starting QB Job in 2025?
Image via X @UnnecRoughness
The D.C. Defenders were in uncharted territory last season ending with a losing record, but could a new quarterback challenge the veteran Jordan Ta’amu for the starting job in 2025?
Ta’amu had one of his best seasons in spring football last year for the Defenders as he passed for 1,846 yards and 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions while also rushing for 203 yards and one touchdown. As for the team in general, the loss of running back Abram Smith was too much to replace as the team finished 4-6 for its first losing season since its existence began in the XFL back in 2020.
The quarterback room went through a bit of a makeover with Jalan McClendon no longer on the roster. D.C. now has Mike DiLiello as one of the backups. The second addition coming this week with Spencer Sanders being signed.
Sanders was a notable name in college as a five-year quarterback with Oklahoma State and his last season with Ole Miss. He finished with 9,831 yards and 70 touchdowns to 40 interceptions. His accolades include being the Big 12’s Offensive Freshman Player of the Year in 2019 and First Team All-Big 12 in 2021.
Surprisingly, no NFL teams drafted or signed Sanders after the 2024 NFL Draft which has led him to the UFL to prove himself.
Ta’amu will no doubt go into training camp as the favorite to win the job. He has become the face of spring football since slinging it around in a St. Louis Battlehawks uniform in 2020.
Does Sanders have a shot at winning the job? Of course. Anyone can win the job, but the most likely outcome is the veteran quarterback wins the job.
The more likely scenario is Sanders could take the backup job and see playing time during the season. Every UFL team at one point last season had their backup quarterbacks out playing. Sanders would benefit from easing into games instead of being thrown in there since this will be his first professional football team.
D.C. has to start thinking about the franchise's future and Sanders could be the perfect guy. Don’t forget about DiLiello, though, as he has all the capabilities to be the future as well.
