Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, QB, 6015, 215, Sr.

Draft Profile -- 3-21-25

Frankly: As I watched Shedeur Sanders play under duress most of the last two seasons, I was impressed with his skill in many key areas, especially focus and accuracy. As a  person, S. Sanders never hid who he was, and who is was/is intimidates many people. My reaction to his press conference at the Indianapolis Combine was that I accepted him for being him with no BS. Click on that link and read his Q&A.  The son of Deion Sanders has bombast and confidence in his DNA, but he is his own man and comfortable in his skin. I am okay with that part. However, scouts and GMs told me he was less than impressive in his meetings with teams at Indy. Three of the most used words to describe him were dismissive, indifferent, and aloof. Worse, his ability to show his knowledge of the game on a board was not acceptable. That was surprising after watching him on the field, but the term "playground hero" came to mind. I am deeply conflicted because what I see on the field is a potential franchise quarterback who can command respect in the huddle and deliver under pressure. When word of Shedeur's impressions at Indy was reported, father Prime Sanders took it badly and counter-attacked loudly. A team drafting Shedeur must consider the possibility of Deion's presence interfering with. ...anything involving his son. Absent the familial situation, I like Shedeur far more than most and would take him as high as No. 1. I am eager to see how he works out. 

Overview

Shedeur Sanders is among the most composed and accurate passers in the 2025 draft class, known for his poise in the pocket and quick mental processing. He demonstrated a rare ability to read defenses pre- and post-snap, routinely making the right decisions under pressure. Despite operating behind a porous offensive line that allowed an FBS-high 52 sacks, Sanders maintained an elite 3.2% turnover-worthy play rate and completed over 70% of his passes. His calm presence and efficient mechanics stand out even in chaotic situations, showing a maturity beyond his years.

Some evaluators question his deep-ball velocity and ability to drive throws into tight windows outside the numbers. However, his field awareness, accuracy in the intermediate game, and ability to extend plays within structure offer a high NFL floor. While he may not possess elite athleticism, his footwork, decision-making, and timing project him as a highly capable starter, particularly in offenses built around timing, rhythm, and quick processing.

Background

The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shedeur has carved his own path as a quarterback, rising from a celebrated high school career in Texas to early stardom at Jackson State. In two seasons under his father, he posted back-to-back 3,000+ yard campaigns and set program records in efficiency and touchdowns.

Transferring to Colorado in 2023, Sanders threw for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just three interceptions despite relentless pressure and minimal support from the run game or offensive line. His leadership and durability became a rallying point for Colorado’s offense. Sanders’ 69.3% completion rate, especially when under duress, ranks among the best in the nation. He returns for the 2024 season as one of college football’s most experienced and battle-tested quarterbacks.

Scouting Report

Pros

Sanders shows elite poise in the pocket, calmly navigating collapsing protection while maintaining balance and vision. His compact, repeatable throwing motion allows for quick release and consistent accuracy, especially on short and intermediate routes. He displays strong mental processing, rarely putting the ball in harm’s way and understanding where to go with the football based on coverage keys. He manipulates safeties with his eyes and regularly hits timing throws into tight windows. His footwork is efficient and controlled, even when moving within the pocket to evade pressure. I made a note of one thing Sanders does that fewer quarterbacks do any more. Even under pressure and often on the run, he gets his elbow high when throwing which, when done consistently add to accuracy and put more torque on the ball.

Cons

While efficient, Sanders lacks top-tier arm strength to consistently challenge tight windows downfield or make off-platform throws with velocity. He can be overly reliant on his internal clock and take sacks rather than risk throws under pressure. His mobility is functional but not dynamic; he’s not a major threat as a runner outside of designed situations. Inconsistent pass protection in college masked some issues with late throws under duress. He must speed up his processing against NFL-level disguised coverages and pressure packages.

-- Frank Cooney

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August, 2024

Overview:

Shedeur Sanders’ college career has taken a unique path. A 4-star prospect out of high school, Shedeur decided to attend an HBCU school and play for his father at Jackson State. He earned numerous individual and team accolades, such as winning two SWAC championships as well as being Jackson State's school leader in passing touchdowns and completions. In 2023, Shedeur followed his dad once again, but this time to the University of Colorado, where, last season, he put up 3,230 pass yards, threw for 27 TDs (against just three interceptions) and completed 69.3 percent of his throws.

Strengths:

As a passer, I believe Sanders is a bit underrated, mainly because he played behind arguably the worst offensive line in major college football last year and, therefore, wasn’t able to consistently show all of his abilities. In the pocket, Sanders shows poise, and a good internal clock allows him to react calmly to pressure. He is underrated as an anticipatory thrower, as he shows good timing when his receivers get open.

As a decision-maker, Sander doesn’t get enough credit. He avoids bad throws and excels at protecting the ball, making smart decisions more often than not. When watching him play, you notice that he takes his time, and if the throwing lane is not there, he will move on to the next progression or extend with his legs.

In my opinion, Sanders is the best athlete of the three QBs evaluated here; he is a smooth athlete and nimble in space. When extending a play, he can pick up chunk yards if a defense forgets about him as a running threat. Sanders demonstrates nice footwork when stepping up in the pocket and resetting, giving him a solid foundation to throw a tight, accurate ball. His touch and overall placement on throws downfield is another strength, whether leading his man or putting a pass on a receiver’s back shoulder.

Weaknesses:

Shedeur is sometimes a bit slow going through his progressions, and this sluggishness in processing can lead to missed opportunities and sacks — especially true behind an offensive line that struggled like Colorado’s did in 2023. Sanders’ arm talent is about average. When throwing from a less-than-solid base or forced to change arm angles, his accuracy/ball placement can suffer. Sanders does possess a slightly elongated throwing motion, and defenders can get a jump on him when he does stare down a target.

Summary:

Even following a successful offseason, it’s hard to say whether Colorado will be a better team in 2024, but we do believe that, with another year of experience under his belt, Shedeur Sanders will be an improved quarterback. If he does decide to declare, Sanders will make a case for QB1 in the 2026 draft. We could even see a potential Heisman push if he gets more production from his supporting cast.

-- Justyce Gordon

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HISTORY -- From College Bio