Why Shedeur Sanders Not Being Drafted in Round 1 Was a Major Story
Following months of speculation and excitement, the NFL Draft night for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders ended on a disappointing note.
Sanders, who faced a wide array of draft projections leading up to the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, was not chosen during the first round.
As the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the son of NFL Hall of Famer and University of Colorado coach Deion Sanders, many anticipated that 23-year-old Shedeur would be called in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Thursday night.
Unfortunately, Shedeur had to wait to learn his NFL destiny as the second round of the Draft commences on Friday, April 25.
To explore Shedeur’s overall draft journey, read on.
What Has Sparked Controversy Surrounding Shedeur Sanders?
A significant factor is his father.
Deion, 57, has emerged as a contentious figure in college football — some fans admire his bold and extravagant approach, while others oppose his dramatic style.
The former Dallas Cowboys star has openly supported Shedeur, as shown by a May 2024 post on X that gained traction after his son’s draft disappointment on Thursday.
In response to criticism regarding Shedeur’s performance, Deion remarked, “He will be a top 5 pick. Where’s your son going? Lololol I have time today. Lololol.”
That prediction, however, did not materialize.
Leading up to the Draft, much discussion arose around Shedeur’s perceived arrogance and confidence.
LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell isn’t worried about how his relationship may change after entering the NFL — his girlfriend comes from a football background. Campbell, 21, is dating Ashlynn Nussmeier, the daughter of former NFL player and current New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier.
“The worst formal interview I’ve ever experienced,” an anonymous NFL coach expressed to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. “He’s incredibly entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He consistently fails to play on time. His body language is terrible. He assigns blame to teammates… but the critical issue is that his skills aren’t as impressive as advertised.”
During the NFL Combine in February, Shedeur addressed some of the criticisms he struggled to shake off.
“Do you think I’m concerned about what critics say?” he questioned reporters. “You know who my dad is? They criticize him too.”
What Were Deion Sanders’ Thoughts on Shedeur’s Draft Fall?
The day after Round 1 of the NFL Draft, Deion referenced scripture.
“My Bible states that God uses the foolish things to confound the wise and chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong!” Deion shared via X on Friday, April 25. “Please know that God isn’t finished, and He’s just getting started. Embrace this lesson and stop stressing. #CoachPrime”
What Did Shedeur Sanders Comment on His Absence in Round 1?
After the conclusion of Round 1, Shedeur shared a video from his family home in Texas, where he and his supporters followed the Draft rather than attending in person.
“None of us anticipated this, obviously,” Sanders remarked. “But with God, anything is possible — everything is possible.”
He added, “I believe this happened for a purpose. All of this serves as fuel to our determination. We know this shouldn’t have occurred, but we’re focused on greater and better things. Tomorrow is a new day. We will be happy regardless.”
Who Was Selected Before Shedeur Sanders?
As the night approached, three teams seemed like ideal destinations for Shedeur: the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants.
The Browns traded down to the fifth pick and chose University of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Cleveland swapped with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted Shedeur’s Colorado teammate and Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter.
All attention was fixed on Green Bay, Wisconsin, as the 2025 NFL Draft unfolded at Lambeau Field on Thursday, April 24. Some of college sports’ most renowned figures made grand entrances as they awaited their fates in the National Football League for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
The Steelers also overlooked selecting a quarterback, opting for University of Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
Simultaneously, the Giants traded back in the first round, exchanging picks with the Houston Texans. At the 25th spot, New York selected Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
What Are Analysts Saying Regarding Shedeur Sanders?
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith criticized “the media” for influencing Shedeur’s unexpected Draft fall.
“The anonymous comments circulating were concerning. What’s the narrative surrounding Shedeur Sanders?” Smith, 57, expressed on Friday during First Take. “Then he arrives at the Scouting Combine and doesn’t perform. Along with all the meetings, the perception of arrogance, I think we should overlook all that.”
Smith highlighted that the “major issue” was teams grappling with the connection to his father, Deion.
“In this scenario, given he was coached by his father, people lacked confidence in receiving the right and accurate information about him,” Smith pointed out.
First Take co-host Marcus Spears disagreed with Smith, stating, “People are trying to frame this conversation as if it relates to his demeanor or his father.”
“No one on this network has claimed Shedeur Sanders is a poor quarterback,” Spears, 42, added. “However, we must halt the narrative suggesting that the opinions about him led to him not being taken in the first round and that he possessed immediate, elite talent comparable to other players.”
Meanwhile, Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt came to Shedeur’s defense amid discussions regarding his NFL potential.
“Shedeur embodies everything I find frustrating about the NFL Draft,” Klatt expressed on Thursday. “It’s solely about one thing — narratives. Narrative constructs that are lazy and frankly, ridiculous. When an anonymous source comments on a meeting they had — do you not think that some kid didn’t measure up to your expectations when he walked into your room? I believe that’s absurd. Shedeur Sanders is set to become a solid quarterback in the NFL.”
The second round of the 2025 NFL Draft will be broadcast live on Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
