Anthony Wilson
Amid all the back and forth on social media this week between Deion Sanders, his son Shedeur, former Colorado players and many others, Deion made a statement that I absolutely agree with: “[Shedeur] It will be a top 5 pick.”
The excitement about Shedeur isn’t just because writing about him and Colorado generates audience engagement. I believe he is legitimately the best quarterback in college football and the favorite to be the first quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, although I don’t think he will be the #1 overall pick.
There is strong competition from Texas’ Quinn EwersAlabama Jalen MilroeGeorgia Carson Beck all very close, but Sanders eliminates them for now. Here’s why.
The statistics
- Sanders threw for nearly 300 yards per game and had just three interceptions in 430 attempts, completing 69% of his passes and suffering 21 drops from his receivers.
- His 27 touchdown passes ranked 12th nationally.
- This was despite being under pressure for most of the season, behind the second-worst offensive line in the country, which gave up 56 sacks for nearly 500 yards.
Scouting Report
- With an excellent arm to make all the necessary throws, Sanders is an extremely accurate passer, both in the pocket and on the move. He does a great job of keeping his eyes downfield to go through his progressions and complete high percentages despite the constant pressure he has been under all season.
- He does a great job manipulating safeties and can make the closed-window throws needed at the next level.
- Also an excellent post-snap processor, Sanders extends plays to give his players an extra second or two to find the green grass. He is an excellent athlete with a thick lower half who uses his athleticism to extend and make plays. Sanders has excellent feet and technique both in the pocket and on the move.
To improve
- Sanders can do a better job staying in the pocket longer and giving his offensive lineman a better idea of where he is as he stays in the pocket more than he will be able to at the next level. His launch point is everywhere.
- Even at times when he wasn’t immediately pressured, he often strayed. He can also do a better job of throwing the ball away under pressure, as many of the 56 sacks could have been avoided by simply throwing it out of bounds when he was outside the pocket rather than eating it.
While it’s difficult to throw fewer than three interceptions, I hope we see the best version of Sanders and an overall improvement in Colorado as a program as the Buffaloes enter the Big 12 from the Pac-12. I have some concerns about the talk that his father is trying to manipulate the selection process and the teams that might select himbut I think they will be pleased with the scope of your perspective project.
