Deion Sanders’ Son Faces Unexpected Draft Slide, Fueling Faith and Determination
In a shocker at the 2025 NFL Draft, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, widely projected as a top-tier prospect, was not selected in the first round, leaving the Sanders family and their supporters reeling. The son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur was considered a potential top-five pick, with some mock drafts even slotting him as high as No. 3 overall. However, as the first round unfolded on April 24, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sanders watched from a custom draft room in Texas as 32 picks passed without his name being called.
Shedeur Sanders entered the draft as one of the most polarizing figures in recent memory. His on-field performance was undeniable: a 71.8% career completion rate, an FBS record, along with 14,347 passing yards, 134 touchdowns, and just 27 interceptions over four collegiate seasons at Jackson State and Colorado. In his senior year, he led the Big 12 in completions, attempts, completion percentage, and passing touchdowns, earning the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year award and an eighth-place finish in Heisman voting.
A Top Prospect
Yet, despite his statistical dominance, concerns lingered. Some scouts criticized his arm strength, pocket presence, and tendency to hold onto the ball too long, evidenced by a pressure-to-sack rate of 20.1% in 2024 and 94 sacks taken over his final two seasons. His athleticism was deemed solid but not elite, and at 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, some questioned his durability against NFL defenses. Off the field, Sanders’ personality—described by some as “arrogant” or “entitled”—raised some flags.
Adding to the situation is the shadow of his father, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, whose larger-than-life presence and vocal defense of his son can be seen as a distraction. While some see Deion’s influence as a positive, others worried about potential distractions, with one executive noting, “You can’t have your dad saying, ‘I’m going to come put a quarterback coach on blast who said you were arrogant.’” But he is hall-of-fame player and now standout coach who is taking the NCAA by storm.
The Draft Night Slide
The first round saw only two quarterbacks selected: Miami’s Cam Ward, taken No. 1 overall by the Tennessee Titans, and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, picked at No. 25 by the New York Giants after a trade-up. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers—each with quarterback needs—passed on Sanders, opting for defensive players or linemen.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter had warned before the draft that Sanders might slide, noting that his name was unlikely to be called at picks two, three, or nine. By the time the Steelers, considered a potential landing spot at No. 21, chose Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, it became clear Sanders would wait until Day 2. Mel Kiper Jr., visibly distraught on ESPN’s broadcast, made impassioned pleas for teams to draft Sanders, but no one bit, even as late-round trade opportunities emerged.
Trusting in God’s Promises
Shedeur, alongside his father and brother Deion Jr., addressed supporters in a video posted on Instagram by his father, saying, “We all didn’t expect this, of course, but I feel like with God, anything’s possible, everything’s possible. I feel like this didn’t happen for no reason. All of this is, of course, fuel to the fire.” His resilience echoed what he said earlier, writing, “I’m built for whatever today may bring” and “Failure is not an option.”
Deion Sanders, known for his boldness, took a reflective tone, posting, “My Bible says God uses the foolish things to confound the wise & he chose the weak things of the world that he may put to shame the strong! Please know God ain’t done & God is just really getting started. Enjoy this lesson & stop stressing. #CoachPrime.”
President Donald J. Trump even chimed in, posting on Truth Social, called out NFL owners, writing, “What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID? … Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be ‘picked’ IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN.” While Trump’s endorsement highlighted Shedeur’s potential, it also fueled the narrative of Sanders as a lightning rod for attention.
What’s Next for Shedeur?
Sanders now enters Day 2 as one of the top available prospects, with teams like the Cleveland Browns, who hold the first pick of the second round, seen as potential suitors. Analysts suggest his slide may not be as catastrophic as it seems—quarterbacks like Will Levis (2023) and Aaron Rodgers (2005) also fell out of the first round yet found success. However, the lack of a fifth-year option on a second-round rookie contract could deter teams viewing Sanders as a franchise cornerstone.
The slide raises questions about how Sanders will respond. His confidence, often criticized, could be a strength in navigating this setback. As he told reporters at the combine, “If you ain’t trying to change the franchise or the culture, don’t [pick] me.” Teams drafting on Day 2 will need to weigh whether Sanders’ talent and swagger outweigh the perceived risks.
For now, the Sanders family remains confident in the Lord. Deion’s coaching turnaround at Colorado—from a one-win team to nine wins in 2024—mirrors the resilience they believe. As Shedeur awaits his NFL destination, the narrative around him grows only more compelling, with Coach Prime’s words ringing true: “God is just really getting started.”
