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It’s better late than never.
Shedeur Sanders had to wait until day 3 in the 2025 NFL draft, but Cleveland Browns finally called his name with the 144th gathering in the draft fifth round on Saturday.
The first round of the draft did not go how Sanders saw when he did not hear his name be called. But no one expected the same to occur on Friday night when three more quarterbacks were taken for him.
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File – Colorado Main coach Deion Sanders, Left, talking with Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during a timeout in the second half of a NCAA College -Football match against Central Florida, Saturday 28 September 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
After Cam Ward went No. 1, the reimbursement really started when New Orleans Saints chose to go with Kelvin Bank’s Jr. with the ninth committee.
All eyes were at Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21 in the first round, but when no one traded up in front of them, their choice also came and went without a QB and chose Derrick Harmon.
New York Giants acted back to the first round but they chose Jaxson Dart Instead of ending every chance that Sanders would be a first round.
Then Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel were elected Friday.
Shedeur Sanders falls in NFL draft because of his father, says Stephen A. Smith
But Gabriel, whom Browns chose in the third round, is now Sanders’ teammate when they bring another quarterback.
After the first round, Sanders admitted that he “did not expect” his drop-off Thursday, but it is now “fuel to the fire.” Saturday morning before the fourth round began, he posted at X and said he was excited about “Another opportunity to have a chance to play the game I love.”
Browns finally turned this dream into a reality, and now Sanders can look ahead to influence the team and the city of Cleveland next season and beyond.
Sanders, a four-star recruits and the top 100 overall views of the entire country, began his college career with his father in Jackson State after “Coach Prime” was brought in to lead the program. He initially undertook to play on Florida Atlantic despite several SEC offers.
Sanders quickly showed his passing skills and earned Swac Freshman of the Year honors after throwing 3,231 yards with 30 touchdowns for eight cuts, while also hurrying into three scores over 13 games.
In 2022, Sanders topped it with a Swac Player of the Year Performance, which included 3,752 yards, 40 touchdowns and only six captures with six more rushing touchdowns.
However, the competition changed when Sanders followed his father again, this time to Colorado to start in PAC-12. The Buffalos did not have immediate success, but the hype was high when Sanders came in and threw in 3,230 yards with 27 touchdowns for only three captures.
February 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Skyeseur Sanders on the red carpet before the Super Bowl Lix NFL honors at the Saenger Theater. (Kirby Lee-Preferred Pictures)
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He had a 69.3% completion rate of 430 pass attempts over 11 matches. The Buffalos ended 4-8 in the season, with Sanders missing the final due to a broken back.
Instead of going into the draft last season, Sanders was on for another year in Colorado and it seemed to be the right step. He earned other teams of all-American Honors and was named this year’s big 12 offensive player and a Heisman Trophy finalist. He set a 64 -career school record that passed touchdowns, and did it in just two seasons of the game.
Sanders also led FBS with a 74% completion rate – another school post. In 13 games he had 4,134 passing yards with 37 touchdowns for 10 interceptions.
On tape, Sanders is a very accurate quarterback with a good pocket presence and the ability to spice up as you would like to see at the Pro level. Some criticisms from experts include a standard NFL arm with a long release compared to others, and an ability to wish the great chunk game instead of going through progress and checking down when needed.
Colorado Buffaloes Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) celebrate after defeating Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium, home to Asu Sun Devils. (Mark J. Revilas-usa Today Sports)
There is also the massive Spotlight Sanders has been in viewing his father’s exuberant personality as a player and now a coach. An NFL coach reportedly called him “with the title”, while others are skeptical of how this popularity will affect him on the field at this new level.
