Shedeur Sanders, the talented quarterback from the University of Colorado, had a whirlwind lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Once thought to be a top contender for a first-round pick, Sanders’ draft experience took an unexpected turn. From his slide down the draft board to the controversial events surrounding his name, Sanders has remained one of the most discussed figures in college football. Here’s a closer look at the series of events leading up to the draft and the developments that followed.

The Pre-Draft Buzz

Shedeur Sanders entered the 2025 NFL Draft with high expectations. As the son of Deion Sanders, a legendary Hall of Famer, Shedeur was under intense scrutiny throughout his college career. His performance at Colorado—especially after transferring from Jackson State—had garnered significant attention. Sanders showcased his strong arm, poise under pressure, and leadership, becoming one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in college football. With his electric performances and the visibility of his father’s coaching influence, many analysts and fans expected Sanders to be selected early in the draft, potentially as a first-round pick.

However, as the draft approached, rumors began to swirl about Sanders’ stock. While many had predicted he would be picked in the first round, his draft positioning started to shift, and analysts began to speculate that other factors beyond his on-field performance might be influencing his slide. Questions about his attitude and public perception emerged, and some observers felt that these issues could be contributing to a less-than-ideal draft position.

The Unexpected Draft Slide

When the 2025 NFL Draft unfolded, Shedeur Sanders’ name didn’t come up as quickly as many had anticipated. As the picks went by, Sanders—once considered a first-round lock—was passed over by several teams. The Cleveland Browns ultimately selected him at pick 144, far later than expected.

This unexpected drop sparked a wide range of reactions. Some attributed the slide to Sanders’ perceived arrogance and demeanor, with critics suggesting that his confident, sometimes brash, personality might have worked against him in the eyes of NFL teams. Others speculated that factors like racial bias or his famous father, Deion Sanders, could have played a role in the decision-making process.

In response, a growing number of fans began to voice their support for Sanders. In fact, a grassroots movement emerged, with fans opting to boycott NFL merchandise featuring Sanders’ name in favor of supporting his independent merchandise line. While this may not entirely compensate for the financial consequences of being drafted later, it has certainly helped to solidify Sanders’ brand and keep his name in the public eye.

The Prank Call Incident

During the draft, another controversy involving Sanders occurred. A prank call to Sanders was made by someone pretending to be Mickey Loomis, the general manager of the New Orleans Saints. The prankster used a phone number reserved for NFL executives, which raised serious concerns about privacy and professionalism.

The person responsible for the prank was identified as Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Jeff Ulbrich, the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator. The Falcons quickly apologized for the incident, and the organization stated that they were reviewing internal protocols to ensure that something like this wouldn’t happen again. Though Sanders handled the situation with relative calm, it added another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous draft experience.

Public Criticism and Media Backlash

In addition to the draft-related controversies, Shedeur Sanders faced criticism from various public figures. On the popular talk show The View, co-host Ana Navarro questioned Sanders’ “red flags,” pointing to his confidence, which she labeled as arrogance, and even referred to him as a “nepo baby” due to his famous father. While Navarro’s comments sparked debate, fellow host Sunny Hostin defended Sanders, saying that confidence is often misinterpreted as entitlement.

This media scrutiny only added to the growing narrative surrounding Sanders. While some viewed him as a young man with a strong sense of self and leadership, others criticized him for being overly entitled. These mixed perceptions would follow him into the draft and may have affected how teams viewed his character.