The mystery of how quarterback Shedeur Sanders was prank-called during the NFL Draft has been solved. On Sunday, April 27, 2025, the Atlanta Falcons confirmed that Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, was behind the prank after he unintentionally discovered Sanders' draft phone number on an open iPad while visiting his parents. The Falcons issued a statement offering "sincere apologies" to Sanders and his family.
In a public apology posted on Instagram, Jax Ulbrich expressed remorse for his actions, stating, "On Friday night I made a tremendous mistake. Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I'm so sorry I took away from your moment; it was selfish and childish." He added that he had called Sanders earlier to apologize and thanked him for accepting the call. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me," he wrote.
The prank occurred during the second round of the draft on April 25, when Sanders received a call from someone claiming to be New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, shortly before the team's No. 40 pick. Video of the call has circulated on social media, showing two individuals on the pranksters' end, one of whom was wearing an Ole Miss sweatshirt.
The Falcons clarified that Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of both the leak and the prank until after it happened. In their statement, the team said, "The Atlanta Falcons do not condone this behavior and send our sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family, who we have been in contact with to apologize to, as well as facilitate an apology directly from Jax to the Sanders family." The organization is cooperating with the NFL, which has opened an investigation into the incident.
Sanders, who was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 144 pick in the fifth round, downplayed the prank's impact on him during a conference call after the draft. "It didn't really have no impact on me because it was just like, OK. I don't feed into negativity or I don't feed into that stuff," he said. "I think, of course, it’s childish, but everybody does childish things here and there."
As the story unfolded, it became clear that Sanders was not the only draft prospect targeted by prank calls. Multiple other players, including Indianapolis Colts rookie Tyler Warren, reported similar experiences during the draft. The NFL is investigating the broader issue of prank calls, with the exact number of affected prospects still unknown.
Jax Ulbrich's actions have sparked a mix of reactions. While many fans expressed outrage at the prank, some even mistakenly accused New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen's daughter, Sydney, of being involved. After it was confirmed that she had no connection to the prank, calls for apologies directed at her began to circulate on social media.
The Falcons have stated that they are thoroughly reviewing all protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The team confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken against Jeff Ulbrich, who was recently rehired by the Falcons after serving as interim head coach for the New York Jets last season.
In the wake of the prank call, Jax Ulbrich is facing scrutiny not only for the prank itself but also for how it reflects on his father's position within the NFL. The Falcons' statement emphasized that the behavior was unacceptable, and they are committed to ensuring that such breaches of protocol do not happen again.
This incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities in the NFL's communication protocols, particularly concerning confidential information shared during the draft process. The league has been urged to take a closer look at how contact information is managed and distributed to prevent future leaks.
Meanwhile, Sanders, who had been projected as a top-3 pick in earlier mock drafts, experienced a surprising slide to the fifth round. Despite the chaos surrounding the prank call, he has expressed a desire to focus on his future with the Browns and not let the incident overshadow his achievements.
The NFL Draft is a highly publicized event, and incidents like these can have significant repercussions for players and teams alike. As the league continues to investigate the prank call and its implications, stakeholders are keenly aware of the need for robust security measures to protect the integrity of the draft process.
With the NFL now under scrutiny for its handling of draft communications, the Ulbrich prank call serves as a reminder of the importance of professionalism and respect in the world of sports. As for Jax Ulbrich, he has learned a hard lesson about the consequences of his actions, and the hope is that this incident will prompt meaningful changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
