Daniel Sparks holds the KO · Backup spot in Virginia Cavaliers’s kicker room. Where he sits among the room’s front-line roles:

Daniel Sparks, a 6'7" punter from Gadsden, Alabama, transferred to Virginia after beginning his college career at Louisiana-Monroe in 2020 and spending 2021 at Minnesota. At Louisiana-Monroe, he punted 30 times for a 44.6-yard average and placed five inside the 20-yard line. Since joining the Cavaliers, Sparks has become a multi-time All-ACC selection and Ray Guy Award honoree. In 2025, he punted 37 times for 1,745 yards at a 47.2-yard average with 14 downed inside the 20, including a 65-yard punt. He earned Ray Guy Award's Ray's 8 recognition following a 53.0-yard average performance against Washington State on October 18.