Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders was not chosen within the first spherical of the NFL draft Thursday.
Sanders, 23, was one of the polarizing prospects on this yr’s NFL draft. Many mock drafts predicted Sanders would land with the Pittsburgh Steelers with the twenty first decide within the first spherical, although opinions ranged from as excessive as third total to out of the primary spherical completely.
The Steelers in the end took Oregon defensive deal with Derrick Harmon at that spot.
The one different quarterback taken within the first spherical after No. 1 total decide Cam Ward was Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. The New York Giants traded for the twenty fifth decide to pick Dart.
The son of NFL Corridor of Famer Deion Sanders, the Buffaloes’ head coach, Shedeur Sanders was the Massive 12 Offensive Participant of the Yr in his senior marketing campaign at Colorado, finishing 74.0% of his passes with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Sanders started his collegiate profession at Jackson State, a traditionally Black college, in 2021, when his father was the pinnacle coach. After two seasons with the Tigers, he adopted his father to Colorado, the place he spent one other two years.
The Buffaloes received just one sport the yr earlier than Sanders arrived. In his second season they received 9, their most since 2016.
Within the lead-up to the draft, scouts and coaches raised questions on Sanders each on and off the sector.
One quarterbacks coach reportedly referred to him as “brash” and “smug.” One other assistant coach advised NFL Community that he was “entitled” after what he described as “the worst formal interview” he’d ever been part of.
“He’s so entitled,” the nameless assistant advised NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero. “He takes pointless sacks. He by no means performs on time. He has horrible physique language. He blames teammates. … However the largest factor is, he’s not that good.”
On the sector, Sanders has been criticized for each his lack of arm power and his decision-making. In his two seasons with the Buffaloes, he took a whopping 94 sacks.
However he has additionally been lauded for his accuracy, finishing over 70% of his throws during the last two years.
“I actually don’t have any area for negativity, so it doesn’t play a consider my life in any respect,” Sanders advised NBC Information this month in regards to the criticism he has acquired. “I perceive the simplest factor on the planet to do is to be unfavourable as an alternative of optimistic. I actually don’t care what folks must say.”
He added: “I’m joyful the whole lot is occurring this manner. I like numerous chaos, as a result of it reveals you who’s actually there. I wouldn’t change a factor, as a result of this provides to the story.”
