Jason Thomas Sanders (born November 16, 1995) is an American professional football placekicker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the New Mexico Lobos. He played for eight seasons for the Miami Dolphins.
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Early life
Sanders attended and played high school football at Villa Park High School.
College career
Sanders attended and played college football at New Mexico from 2014 to 2017. In his collegiate career, he converted 111-of-112 extra point attempts and 25-of-35 field goal attempts, with a career-long of 53 yards.
Out of college, he was touted as the top pro kicking prospect in the country by kicking coach Brent Grablachoff of Kicking World.
Professional career
Miami Dolphins
Sanders was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round, 229th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. He was one of two kickers to be selected that year, the other being Daniel Carlson of the Minnesota Vikings. He was named the Dolphins' starting kicker following the release of undrafted rookie Greg Joseph.
He made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. He converted all three field goal attempts and both extra point attempts in the 27–20 victory.
In Week 6, against the Chicago Bears, he converted the game-winning field goal in overtime.
In 16 games, Sanders made 18 of 20 field goals on the year, and this 90-percent field goal conversion rate was the fifth best in team history. He also converted 35 of 36 extra point attempts. For his efforts, Sanders was named to the Pro Football Writers of America 2018 all-rookie team.
In Week 10, Sanders converted all three field goals and an extra point, accounting for 10 points in a 16–12 win over the Indianapolis Colts, earning himself American Football Conference (AFC) Special Teams Player of the Week.
In Week 13, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sanders, despite being a kicker, recorded his first career receiving touchdown when he caught a one-yard touchdown pass from punter Matt Haack in the 37–31 win. The play marked the NFL's first touchdown pass to a kicker since October 16, 1977. Sanders won the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for his performance.
In Week 14, against the New York Jets, Sanders converted on a franchise-record seven of eight field goal attempts in the 22–21 loss. He was also named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his performance in December.
He finished the 2019 season with 29 of 30 extra point attempts converted and 23 of 30 field goal attempts converted.
In Week 5, against the San Francisco 49ers, Sanders was a perfect 5 for 5 on field goal attempts and 4 for 4 on extra point attempts, scoring a total of 19 points, during the 43–17 win, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his performance. He also earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October after converting all 11 field goal attempts and all seven extra point attempts for the month.
New York Giants
On March 11, 2026, Sanders signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants. On June 2, Sanders was released by the Giants.
New York Jets
On June 3, 2026, Sanders was claimed off of waivers by the New York Jets. He was released on August 31 and re-signed to the practice squad.