Spinner enrolled at the
University of Virginia in the fall of 1999 and
redshirted his
true freshman season. In 2000, starter Dan Ellis missed some time due to injury and Spinner started over fellow redshirt freshman quarterback
Matt Schaub, receiving the bulk of playing time in relief. After the 2000 season, coach
George Welsh retired and was replaced by
Al Groh. During the 2001 season Spinner and Schaub split quarterbacking duties; Spinner was 5–1 as the starter that season. Before the 2002 season, Spinner transferred to the University of Richmond Spiders, coached by
Jim Reid. Spinner underwent surgery and returned for the 2003 season. His most memorable performance at Virginia was in a 39–38 victory over
Georgia Tech in 2001. Spinner completed 32-of-46 passes for a season-high 327 yards and five touchdowns. The 6–2 sophomore also ran 10 times for 86 yards as the Cavaliers improved to 11–12–1 all-time against the Yellow Jackets. The Cavaliers won the game on a dramatic
hook-and-ladder play in which Spinner passed the ball to
Billy McMullen who then lateraled the ball to
Alvin Pearman who ran in for a touchdown in the game's closing seconds. == NFL career ==