Jason Thomas Sanders Bio
Jason Thomas Sanders is an American professional football placekicker who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Originally selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Sanders spent eight seasons with the Dolphins before joining the Jets organization. Known for his exceptional accuracy and powerful leg, Sanders earned First-team All-Pro honors and led the NFL in scoring during the 2020 season. Throughout his career, he has established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in professional football, converting crucial field goals in high-pressure situations and earning multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Early Life and Background
Jason Thomas Sanders was born on November 16, 1995, in Orange, California. He attended Villa Park High School in Villa Park, California, where he developed his skills as a placekicker. His performance at the high school level laid the foundation for his future collegiate career, showcasing the leg strength and accuracy that would define his professional tenure.
Path to the NFL
Following his graduation from Villa Park High School, Sanders continued his football journey at the University of New Mexico. From 2014 to 2017, he played for the New Mexico Lobos, where he demonstrated consistent excellence as the team’s primary kicker. During his collegiate career, Sanders converted 111 of 112 extra point attempts and 25 of 35 field goal attempts, with his longest field goal traveling 53 yards. His outstanding performance at the college level positioned him as the top pro kicking prospect in the country, according to kicking coach Brent Grablachoff of Kicking World.
Jason Thomas Sanders Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Sanders entered the NFL as a seventh-round selection, chosen 229th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was one of only two kickers selected in that year’s draft class. Sanders immediately earned the starting kicker position following the release of undrafted rookie Greg Joseph. His NFL debut came in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans, where he made history by converting all three field goal attempts and both extra point attempts in the 27–20 victory.
Sanders continued to impress throughout his rookie season, highlighted by a game-winning field goal in overtime against the Chicago Bears in Week 6. He finished his debut year with 18 of 20 field goals converted, ranking fifth in Dolphins history with a 90-percent conversion rate. He also converted 35 of 36 extra point attempts. For his outstanding rookie performance, Sanders was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.
Miami Dolphins Breakthrough (2019–2025)
The 2019 season saw Sanders emerge as one of the AFC’s top special teams performers. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts, converting all three field goals and an extra point for 10 points in the 16–12 victory. Later that season, during a Week 13 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sanders recorded his first career receiving touchdown, catching a one-yard pass from punter Matt Haack in the 37–31 win. This play marked the NFL’s first touchdown pass to a kicker since October 16, 1977. He closed the 2019 season with 23 of 30 field goals and 29 of 30 extra points converted.
The 2020 season represented the pinnacle of Sanders’ Dolphins tenure. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors multiple times, including a standout performance in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers where he went a perfect 5 for 5 on field goals and 4 for 4 on extra points for 19 total points. He also received AFC Special Teams Player of the Month accolades for October and November. In Week 16, Sanders delivered a clutch performance against the Las Vegas Raiders, converting both extra points and going 4 for 4 on field goals including a 44-yard game-winner in the 26–25 comeback win. He finished the 2020 season with 36 of 39 field goals and all 36 extra point attempts converted. After the season, Sanders tied with Daniel Carlson and Younghoe Koo for the NFL scoring title and received First-team All-Pro honors.
On February 16, 2021, Sanders signed a landmark five-year, $22 million contract extension with the Dolphins, establishing him among the highest-paid kickers in the league. The 2022 season brought continued success, including a historic Week 3 performance against the Denver Broncos where Sanders set the NFL record for most converted extra points in a single game, completing all 10 attempts in the 70–20 victory and breaking the previous record of nine that had stood since 1966. In Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys, he went 5 for 5 on field goals including a franchise record three 50-plus yard field goals in a single game, establishing a new career long of 57 yards and securing a playoff berth for the Dolphins.
The 2024 season represented another strong campaign for Sanders, as he converted 26 of 28 extra points and 37 of 41 field goal attempts. However, the 2025 season was cut short when the Dolphins placed him on injured reserve on August 26 due to a hip injury, forcing him to miss the entire year. On March 6, 2026, after eight seasons with the Dolphins and being the longest-tenured player on the team at that time, Sanders was released.
New York Jets Era (2026–Present)
Following his release from Miami, Sanders signed with the New York Giants on March 11, 2026. He was later released by the Giants on June 2, 2026, before being claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on June 3, 2026, where he continues his NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sanders has built his reputation on exceptional accuracy from distances both near and far. His leg strength was demonstrated when he set the Dolphins franchise record with a 57-yard field goal against the Dallas Cowboys. His ability to deliver in clutch situations, including multiple game-winning kicks throughout his career, has made him a reliable option for teams seeking consistency from the kicking position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable achievements, Sanders became only the fourth kicker in NFL history to catch a touchdown pass when he recorded his receiving score against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. His 2020 season performance, which earned him First-team All-Pro recognition and the NFL scoring co-lead, stands as the defining accomplishment of his career. His NFL record for most extra points converted in a single game (10) further cements his place among the league’s elite kickers.
Jason Thomas Sanders Career Statistics
Sanders has accumulated impressive statistics throughout his NFL career with the Dolphins and Jets. His career totals reflect consistent performance and reliability at the kicking position across multiple seasons.
NFL Career Highlights
Sanders entered the NFL in 2018 and quickly established himself as a durable and accurate kicker. His career field goal percentage of 84.6 percent demonstrates his consistency, while his 96.6 percent conversion rate on extra points highlights his reliability on scoring opportunities. His longest career field goal measures 57 yards, achieved during his record-setting performance against the Dallas Cowboys. Sanders has scored 826 career points across his NFL tenure, with his most prolific season coming in 2020 when he led the NFL in scoring.
Season-by-Season Performance
His rookie season in 2018 saw him convert 18 of 20 field goals (90 percent), earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. The 2019 campaign featured his historic receiving touchdown along with 23 of 30 field goal conversions. His breakout 2020 season included 36 of 39 field goals (92.3 percent), all 36 extra points converted, and NFL scoring co-lead status. The 2022 season brought his record-setting extra point performance and 26 of 32 field goal conversions. His final Dolphins season in 2024 showed strong form with 37 of 41 field goals converted before his injury in 2025.
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Field Goals Made | 187 |
| Field Goals Attempted | 221 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 84.6% |
| Extra Points Made | 259 |
| Extra Points Attempted | 268 |
| Extra Point Percentage | 96.6% |
| Points Scored | 826 |
| Longest Field Goal | 57 yards |
Jason Thomas Sanders Family
Personal Life
Sanders maintains his presence on social media, connecting with fans through his verified Instagram account. Beyond his professional achievements, he has built a reputation within the NFL community as a dedicated professional who has overcome adversity, including his 2025 season-ending injury, to continue his career at the highest level of professional football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging chapter in Sanders’ career. After several months of preparation with the Miami Dolphins, the organization made the difficult decision to place him on injured reserve on August 26 due to a hip injury. This injury forced Sanders to miss the entirety of the 2025 campaign, bringing his streak of consecutive playing seasons to a halt. Despite the setback, his track record of performance prior to the injury demonstrated his continued value as an elite kicker in the league.