The professional football aspirations for Shedeur Sanders, a young athlete with a famous background, kicked off amidst mild hitches. The offspring of the celebrated Deion Sanders, Hall of Fame honoree, anxiously awaited till the third unfolding day of the 2025 draft to hear his title announced. He was finally chosen by the Cleveland Browns during the fifth round, with the sixth pick, placing him at the 144th spot overall, and as the sixth quarterback chosen from the talented pool.
Playing under the guidance of his father, Sanders crafted his skills at Jackson State before transferring to Colorado. In this draft class, shedding light on the competition, he was recorded as the sixth quarterback to be chosen. Cam Ward from Miami found favor with the Tennessee Titans as their first pick, while Jaxson Dart from Mississippi and Tyler Shough from Louisville entered the journey with the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints respectively, before Sanders.
Interestingly, the Cleveland Browns did not cash in on their early opportunities during the second round to secure Sanders. Instead, they shifted their focus and brought on board Dillon Gabriel as their third-round choice, ranking him at 94th overall. This decision was made after witnessing the Seattle Seahawks opt for Jalen Milroe in the same round, just two slots earlier.
Sanders’ college journey started at Jackson State and later he shifted to Colorado where he continued to play under the watchful eyes of his father. Two seasons had cast him in the position of the starter in 13 games out of 24, earning him a commendable record in the Big 12. He set new standards at Colorado by throwing for an impressive 4,134 yards in a single season and contributing to 41 touchdowns, consisting of 37 passing, while conceding 10 interceptions.
Despite these achievements, Sanders found himself still in waiting after the end of the first round on Thursday, which came as a surprise to some pundits. Pre-draft predications had highlighted Sanders as a potential first-round choice, while others viewed him fitting into the second round. For Sanders himself, however, being sidelined until after the first round was a disappointing outcome.
He openly expressed his discontent with the situation to a group assembled at the family residence in Texas, reaffirming his self-belief and worth as a distinct first-round pick. Consequently, concerns were raised questioning whether his personal hype and the towering shadow of his father’s legendary status might have influenced the evaluation of Shedeur Sanders by NFL executives and coaching teams.
Unlike Deion, who had an illustrious career as a defensive back and later in Major League Baseball, Shedeur carries his own unique playing characteristics. He stands out more as a traditional pocket passer, strictly focusing on his quarterback role, rather than an all-rounded athletic persona like his father. Sanders’ approach towards the game leans towards strong mechanical finesse and protective handling of the ball, diverging from his father’s style.
During pre-draft talks, associations were drawn between Sanders and a few teams, including Browns and Steelers. The Giants and Raiders were also considered potential suitors for this young athlete. Amid the extensive conversation and speculation, the Browns emerged as the winners in this race, securing the services of Sanders for their future.
In the thrilling tale of Shedeur Sanders, each chapter is suggestive of his aspiration to build his own legacy, shrugging off the immense shadow cast by his father’s illustrious career. The 2025 draft may have been a roller coaster ride for him, but Sanders is ready to turn this into a stepping stone, never letting transient setbacks derail his journey towards greatness.
His college tenure was dotted with compelling performances that etched his name in the record books, showcasing his commanding talent in the quarterback position. While Sanders is rightfully proud of these achievements, he remains aware of the fact that the journey to professional football carries its own set of challenges, and requires even stronger commitment and hard work.
In the days leading up to the draft, anticipation grew as Sanders remained one of the discussed prospects. Many put forth their opinions and projections about the player’s potential position in the draft. Yet, such foretellings do not always match the reality, and in case of Sanders, an intriguing question arose about whether the hype, and not the raw football skills, had influenced these evaluations.
Sanders’ emergence in the world of professional football is about his own merit, not just the famed family name. While he acknowledges his father’s formidable career path, his singular focus is to guard the football and effectively carry out his role as a quarterback. The father and son duo might share the love for the game, but young Shedeur Sanders seeks his individual identity within it.
Like many drafts before it, the 2025 draft was cloaked with its own intrigue, filled with speculations and surprises. Sanders’ name being linked to different teams, from Browns to Steelers, and from Giants to Raiders, certainly added to the suspense. Despite the swirling rumors, the Cleveland Browns emerged victorious, securing Sanders in the fifth round to grow with their line-up.
As a young athlete about to step into the widely watched arena of the NFL, Sanders’ story is about resilience and endurance. The wait through three days of the draft, even after setting impressive records during his college years, could potentially act as a reminder for him that the road to success is not always straightforward.
Personally, Sanders believes he’s a diamond in the rough, someone who can bring value and strength to a team from the first round itself. Even though he found himself waiting uncomfortably longer during the draft, he remains firm in his conviction and self-worth. His first steps in the NFL, albeit later than he expected, are a testament to his striving spirit.
Sanders shares a close bond with another former teammate, Hunter, as evidenced by their shared honor of having their Colorado jerseys retired earlier in April. As they both embark on this journey into the NFL, it’s a poignant reminder of their shared history, their competitive camaraderie, and the hard work they have put into making their football dreams a reality.