In a shocking turn of events during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, the highly-touted quarterback from the Colorado Buffaloes, did not hear his name called, leaving fans and analysts alike in disbelief. Once projected as a potential top-five pick, Sanders watched as his dreams of early selection faded away, marking a significant moment in what was expected to be a triumphant evening for the Sanders family.
Shedeur, who threw an impressive 37 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions in the 2023 season, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and finishing eighth in the Heisman voting, was anticipated to be one of the first players selected. Instead, the night unfolded with unexpected twists, leaving him and his family to grapple with the reality of his unanticipated slide.
“We all didn’t expect this,” Shedeur said during a draft party attended by his father, Deion Sanders, and his brothers, Shilo and Deion Jr. “All this is is of course more fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance we all know this shouldn't have happened. We understand we are on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow is the day. We're going to be happy regardless. Legendary.”
As the first round progressed, the anticipation grew, especially when the New Orleans Saints were on the clock at the ninth pick. Many believed that Shedeur would be selected there, but the Saints opted for an offensive tackle, further deepening the disappointment. The New York Giants, who traded back into the first round, also passed on Sanders, instead choosing Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at pick 25, which left observers stunned.
“Oh boy…” exclaimed Deion Sanders, visibly upset as he watched the draft unfold. “He will be a top 5 pick. Where yo son going? Lololol I got time today. Lololol,” he had previously stated in May 2024, after a critic on social media questioned his son’s draft prospects. The contrast between his confident predictions and the reality of the draft night was palpable.
Theories about Shedeur's fall circulated on social media, with some speculating that concerns about his durability and Colorado's late-season collapse played a role. Additionally, reports surfaced regarding his performance during team interviews, with one coach labeling him as “brash” and “arrogant,” while another described his interview as “the worst formal interview” he had ever experienced.
Despite the setbacks, Shedeur remained optimistic. “I truly don't have any space for negativity, so it doesn't play a factor in my life at all,” he told NBC News. “I understand the easiest thing in the world to do is to be negative instead of positive. I truly don't care what people have to say.”
His brother, Shilo Sanders, who played safety at Colorado and was ranked outside the top 300 prospects, also expressed concerns about his own draft prospects in light of Shedeur’s unexpected slide. “I don’t even know what they going to do with me because they're doing you like this,” Shilo said, drawing laughter from those present. “If they making him wait, oh buddy!”
As the first round concluded, both Shedeur and Shilo remained available, with Shedeur’s future still uncertain. The disappointment was palpable, yet the Sanders family maintained a lighthearted attitude in the face of adversity. Shilo’s humorous take on the situation provided a moment of levity during what was otherwise a challenging night.
Coach Prime, as Deion Sanders is affectionately known, took to Instagram the following morning, posting a message of resilience. Quoting scripture from 1 Corinthians, he wrote, “God uses the foolish things to confound the wise. Please know God ain’t done. He’s just getting started.” This message echoed the unwavering confidence that both he and Shedeur have displayed throughout their football journey.
Now, as the draft moves into Day 2, teams in need of a quarterback will have to weigh the optics of passing on one of the most accomplished and visible players in college football. While Shedeur’s fall out of the first round raises questions about how narratives and family legacies shape draft perceptions, it also presents an opportunity for him to enter the league with a chip on his shoulder.
With options still available, including teams that passed on him in the first round, the anticipation builds for what the next chapter holds for Shedeur Sanders. The spotlight may have dimmed momentarily, but it certainly hasn’t extinguished. As he prepares for Day 2 of the draft, the promise of his talent remains undeniable, and the journey is far from over.
In the world of professional sports, where narratives can shift rapidly, the Sanders family’s story is a testament to resilience and determination. Whether it’s Shedeur’s next move or Shilo’s own aspirations, the family is poised to make headlines, just a day later than expected.
