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Formerly Pittsburgh Steelers, who ran back Merril Hoge, was ahead of most teachers with his criticism of flush Sanders and his prediction for the former Colorado -Quarterbacks NFL future.
Sanders was expected to be elected as high as No. 2 combined in the NFL draft, but his epic fall for the fifth round became the event about the event. Cleveland Browns eventually made the decision to work out him even after picking quarterback Dillon Gabriel earlier.
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Colorado Buffaloes Quarterback Shedsur Sanders, #2, prepares to pass the ball in the second half against North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, August 29, 2024. (Ron Chenoy -usa Today Sports)
Hoge shared his opinion on Sanders days before the draft began in an interview with WDVE in Pittsburgh.
“I think the best way to summarize him is that he is a really good college -quarterback,” Hoge explained. “His accuracy is good, his treatment is good. And when I say well, I use a scale of 1 to 10, so good is about a five. So if you are a five in college, ok? These (accuracy and process) are the two most important aspects of switching to the National Football League and then you build from there. You are not a deadline.”
In addition, HOGE took the question with Sanders’ allegedly inflated numbers. The Buffaloes star has the FBS record for constantly for completion rate of 71.8%, but Hoge dismissed it when Sanders threw a lot of bubble screens.
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Colorado Buffaloes Quarterback Shedsur Sanders, No. 2, celebrates after defeating Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium, home to Asu Sun Devils. (Mark J. Revilas-usa Today Sports)
He did not think that using these types of plays would translate in the NFL. He said teams will be looking for the skills that guys like Joe Burrow, CJ Stroud and Jayden Daniels have.
“He is not even close, he is not even in the ballpark. … there is some toughness for him I like, but how he moves, he will not put fear in anyone,” Hoge said, adding that teams should be vigilant that Sanders is able to deal with the expectations that come along with being a first round draft.
“He can’t handle the expectations that come his way,” he added. “He becomes an epic failure and he puts your organization back another two or three years.”
These expectations waned a little when he fell to the fifth round. However, Sanders is able to win the starting job in the camp as it is not stone in stone that Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco will be QB1 when the season begins.
Gabriel is the leading leader of Touchdown-Pas at FBS level, but even he was elected late in the draft.
Colorado Quarterback Shhedeur Sanders speaks during a press conference at the NFL Football Scouting Combine Friday, February 28, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Spotlight will shine bright on Browns’ quarterbacks through volunteer training and training camp.
