The NFL draft buzz is starting to build, and one prospect drawing significant interest is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shedeur is skipping Shrine Bowl practices and the game itself this week. Instead, he’s holding meetings with several NFL teams who could target him in the upcoming draft.
Teams Lining Up to Meet with Shedeur Sanders
Sanders has already held 45-minute meetings with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants in advance of the Shrine Bowl. The Titans, who hold the first overall pick, even got a surprise FaceTime call from Shedeur’s famous father Deion during their meeting.
He’s really poised and had mature way about him. You can tell he’s been in the spotlight and knows how to handle it.
– Titans coach Brian Callahan on meeting with Shedeur Sanders
The Browns pick second overall, while the Giants could be in the market for a quarterback of the future despite Daniel Jones’ breakout season. All three teams will no doubt be doing their homework on the Colorado signal-caller.
A Standout Career at Colorado
Sanders took over as the Buffaloes’ starting quarterback in 2023 after transferring from Jackson State. In two seasons at Colorado, he put up impressive numbers:
- 7,648 passing yards
- 70 touchdown passes
- 59.7% completion percentage
He displayed exceptional poise, leadership, and playmaking ability in guiding Colorado to a major turnaround under his father’s coaching.
Skipping Shrine Bowl to Focus on Draft Process
Many top prospects participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl to boost their draft stock. However, Sanders is electing to skip the event entirely to focus on interviews and meetings with NFL personnel.
It’s a calculated decision that shows the young quarterback is serious about proving he has what it takes to lead an NFL franchise. By getting face time with coaches and front office decision-makers, Sanders is wisely prioritizing the interview process.
Shedeur vs. Shilo Sanders Sibling Rivalry
Shedeur isn’t the only Sanders brother creating draft buzz. His older brother Shilo, a safety out of Colorado, is also in Texas for the Shrine Bowl and has meetings lined up with teams.
While they won’t face each other on the field, the Sanders brothers will still be competing to impress scouts and improve their draft positions. In the end, both are hoping to follow in their father’s legendary footsteps by carving out successful NFL careers.
A High Risk, High Reward Prospect
There’s no doubt that Shedeur Sanders has the physical tools and football IQ to succeed at the next level. The biggest question is whether he can emerge from his father’s immense shadow.
Can Shedeur Sanders be coached by someone who isn’t his father?
– Cam Newton questioning if Sanders is ready to leave the nest
Fairly or not, Shedeur will face constant comparisons to Deion. Teams will have to weigh his tantalizing upside against the challenge of getting a young player to buy into a new system and coaching style after thriving under his father’s tutelage.
Still, the early signs from Shedeur’s pre-draft meetings are highly encouraging. He’s saying and doing all the right things so far. If he aces the interview process and gives teams confidence in his maturity, Sanders has the potential to be a franchise-changing draft pick.
