NFL draft prospect Shedeur Sanders shines in old high school highlight
Before his time at Jackson State and Colorado, quarterback Shedeur Sanders led the offensive attack for Trinity Christian in Texas.
Former Colorado football quarterback Shedeur Sanders has taken a tumble in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, as he has yet to be drafted after the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ No. 21 overall pick.
Sanders is widely regarded as the second-best quarterback available behind Cam Ward, who went No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. However, teams aren’t rushing to take the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner yet, despite being one of the best quarterbacks in college football last season.
Sanders was projected as high as No. 3 to the New York Giants or No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints, but both teams passed on taking quarterbacks and went with Abdul Carter and Kelvin Banks Jr. at the two selections, respectively. Sanders was also mocked to the quarterback-needy Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21, but they picked defensive tackle Derrick Harmon instead.
The 2025 quarterback class isn’t considered to be as strong as in recent years, especially compared to 2024, when five quarterbacks went in the top 12 picks. There are plenty of potential starter-caliber quarterbacks available in the later rounds in 2025, but they are viewed as more developmental pieces, which didn’t play in Sanders’ favor.
Here’s why Sanders fell in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night:
Why did Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock drop?
Sanders’ drop to at least the second round in the 2025 NFL Draft is simple, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Thamel reported Thursday that he talked to numerous teams that agreed Sanders wasn’t a first-round talent, as their evaluations differed from most mock drafts that had Sanders going in the first round. Thamel said teams wanted to see more athleticism and more throws in rhythm from the fourth-year college starter.
While Sanders is the No. 2-ranked quarterback available by many draft experts, the quarterbacks are not in strong supply, despite the position normally being one that is selected early and often as organizations look for their next franchise signal-caller.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Steelers were torn on taking Sanders or not late Wednesday night but opted to go with Harmon. The Giants then traded into the first round at No. 25, and chose Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart over Sanders, as the Colorado quarterback takes another blow.
Sanders’ might’ve known what was to come, as well, as he posted “I’m built for whatever today may bring” on X before the draft started.
Teams likely felt Sanders wasn’t enough of a tier above other quarterbacks such as Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe and Tyler Shough, who all could also develop into future NFL starters while also carrying a few flaws.
Ward, who went No. 1 overall, was selected there due to his position, despite being ranked as USA TODAY Sports’ No. 4 prospect. The Titans also had a notable need at quarterback after Will Levis and Mason Rudolph combined to throw for 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions last season.
Shedeur Sanders record at Colorado
Sanders finished with a 13-12 record at Colorado, as he started every game for the Buffaloes across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. That includes a five-game improvement from 2023 to 2024, with the Buffaloes going 9-4 in the latter season.
Sanders had a 23-3 record in two seasons as the starter at Jackson State before he transferred to Colorado. Here’s a look at Sanders’ year-by-year record in college football:
2021 (Jackson State): 11-22022 (Jackson State): 12-12023 (Colorado): 4-82024 (Colorado): 9-4Shedeur Sanders stats
Here are Sanders’ year-by-year stats in college:
2021 (Jackson State): 272 of 413 passing (65.9%) for 3,231 yards with 30 touchdowns to eight interceptions; three rushing touchdowns2022 (Jackson State): 341 of 483 passing (70.6%) for 3,732 yards with 40 touchdowns to six interceptions; six rushing touchdowns2023 (Colorado): 298 of 430 passing (69.3%) for 3,230 yards with 27 touchdowns to three interceptions; four rushing touchdowns2024 (Colorado): 353 of 477 passing (74%) for 4,134 yards with 37 touchdowns to 10 interceptions; four rushing touchdowns