Jason Sanders Bio
Jason Thomas Sanders is an American professional football kicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 16, 1995, in Orange, California, he excelled in high school football at Villa Park High School before playing college football for the New Mexico Lobos from 2014 to 2017. Known for his accuracy and big leg, Sanders was selected by the Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft and has since become one of the most productive kickers in franchise history.
Throughout his career, Sanders has earned First-team All-Pro honors, tied for the NFL scoring lead, and set both team and league records. He is widely respected for his consistency, range, and ability to perform in pressure moments, and he remains a central part of the Dolphins’ special teams unit.
Early Life and Background
Jason Thomas Sanders was born on November 16, 1995, in Orange, California. He grew up in the Orange County area and attended Villa Park High School, where he played football and developed into a reliable kicker. His high school career gave him early exposure to competitive football and helped lay the foundation for his future in the sport.
During his time at Villa Park, Sanders showed the kind of accuracy and leg strength that would later define his professional career. His performances attracted attention from college programs, and he eventually committed to the University of New Mexico to continue both his education and his football career.
Path to American Football
Sanders played college football for the New Mexico Lobos from 2014 to 2017, where he handled kicking duties for four seasons. In his collegiate career, he converted an impressive 111 of 112 extra point attempts and 25 of 35 field goal attempts, with a career-long of 53 yards. His near-perfect record on extra points demonstrated the consistency that has become a hallmark of his game.
Following his college career, Sanders was touted as the top professional kicking prospect in the country by kicking coach Brent Grablachoff of Kicking World. That recognition helped him gain visibility ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft, where the Miami Dolphins selected him in the seventh round, 229th overall. He was one of only two kickers drafted that year and immediately won the starting job.
Jason Sanders Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Sanders made his NFL debut in the 2018 season opener against the Tennessee Titans, converting all three field goal attempts and both extra point attempts in a 27–20 victory. In 16 games that season, he made 18 of 20 field goals, a 90 percent conversion rate that ranked fifth in Dolphins history, and added 35 of 36 extra points. His strong rookie campaign earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America 2018 All-Rookie Team.
In 2019, Sanders continued to develop, highlighted by a Week 13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in which he caught a one-yard touchdown pass from punter Matt Haack, the NFL’s first touchdown reception by a kicker since October 16, 1977. He finished the season with 29 of 30 extra points and 23 of 30 field goals made, and he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December.
NFL Breakthrough (2020)
The 2020 season marked Sanders’ emergence as one of the league’s elite kickers. He opened the year by going 5 for 5 on field goals and 4 for 4 on extra points in a Week 5 win over the San Francisco 49ers, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He remained nearly perfect through the first half of the season and was the last kicker in the NFL to miss a field goal that year.
Sanders closed the regular season by hitting a 44-yard game-winning kick against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16. He finished 2020 by tying Daniel Carlson and Younghoe Koo for the NFL scoring title with 36 of 39 field goals and a perfect 36 of 36 on extra points. His performance earned him First-team All-Pro honors.
Miami Dolphins Era (2021–Present)
On February 16, 2021, Sanders signed a five-year, $22 million contract extension with the Dolphins, making him one of the highest-paid kickers in the NFL at the time. He continued to deliver key kicks during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, including a career-high six extra points in a 2022 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2023, Sanders set an NFL record by converting all 10 extra point attempts in a 70–20 victory over the Denver Broncos, breaking a mark that had stood since 1966. Later that season, he booted a career-long 57-yard field goal and three field goals of 50 or more yards against the Dallas Cowboys, helping the Dolphins clinch a playoff spot. In 2024, he earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a perfect outing against the San Francisco 49ers. On August 26, 2025, the Dolphins placed Sanders on injured reserve due to a hip injury, causing him to miss the start of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sanders is known for his exceptional accuracy, powerful leg, and poise in clutch moments. He excels on long field goal attempts and has consistently produced high extra point conversion rates throughout his career. His ability to perform under pressure has made him one of the most dependable kickers in the AFC.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Sanders’ signature accomplishments are his 2020 First-team All-Pro selection, his NFL-record 10 extra points in a single game, his 57-yard career-long field goal, and his unique 2019 touchdown reception. He also tied for the 2020 NFL scoring title and helped the Dolphins secure a playoff berth in 2023.
Jason Sanders Career Wins
Sanders has piled up consistent scoring production across his NFL career, anchoring the Dolphins’ special teams unit since 2018. His combination of accuracy, range, and reliability has produced numerous weekly and monthly honors, along with team records and league milestones.
NFL Highlights
In his career, Sanders has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week multiple times, including for performances against the Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Las Vegas Raiders. He was also named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in both October and November 2020, and again in December 2019. His rookie-year 90 percent field goal rate remains one of the best single-season marks in Dolphins history.
Sanders’ most recent milestone came in 2024 when he converted all five field goals and both extra point attempts against the San Francisco 49ers. His 2023 NFL-record 10 extra points in a single game against the Denver Broncos remains one of the most remarkable special teams performances in league history.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Sanders was a standout for the New Mexico Lobos, where he converted 111 of 112 extra point attempts over four seasons. His near-perfect extra point record and his recognition as the top pro kicking prospect by Kicking World helped launch his path to the NFL.
Jason Sanders Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jason Thomas Sanders was raised in Orange, California, where he attended Villa Park High School. Public information about his immediate family remains limited, and details about his parents and upbringing have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Sanders keeps much of his personal life private. He continues to reside in the United States and balances his professional football career with his personal commitments. Verified public details about a spouse or children are not available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented an early challenge for Sanders when the Miami Dolphins placed him on injured reserve on August 26, 2025, due to a hip injury. The move forced him to miss the beginning of the regular season and opened the door for the team to evaluate other kicking options in his absence.
Despite the setback, Sanders remains under contract through 2026 following his five-year, $22 million extension signed in 2021. His track record of accuracy and his history of clutch performances give the Dolphins a strong reason to count on his return once he is healthy. The outlook for the rest of 2025 will depend on his recovery timeline and the team’s standing as the season progresses.