NFL hopeful Shedeur Sanders was expected to have a shot in the first round of the April 24, 2025, NFL Draft. As fans and the Sanders family waited for the quarterback’s name to be called, some were wondering if a first-round draft was possible. On the day of the draft, Sanders tweeted, “I’m built for whatever today may bring.” So, what ended up happening with Sanders?
Below, get updates on Sanders and his chances at the 2025 NFL draft.
Sanders is a 23-year-old award-winning football player, who was once rated a four-star prospect. After playing two seasons for the Jackson State Tigers, the Texas native won the 2021 Jerry Rice Award — a recognition given to the most outstanding freshmen football player in the NCAA Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision — and went on to play for the Colorado Buffaloes. In 2022, Sanders received the Deacon Jones Trophy, which recognizes the best all-around collegiate American football player of the year among teams from HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities). Thanks to a successful stint with the Buffaloes, Colorado announced in 2025 that they would retire Sanders’ jersey number.
With more than 2 million Instagram followers, Sanders has amassed a large following.
Sanders’ father, Deion Sanders, is also the head coach at Colorado. He previously worked as the Jackson State Tigers’ head coach as well.
No, Sanders’ name did not get called during round one of the NFL Draft — to the shock of many fans. One day after the first round, Sanders admitted that he and his family “didn’t expect” this result, according to Fox News.
“We all didn’t expect this, of course, but I feel like with God, anything possible, everything possible,” he said on April 25. “I don’t feel like this happened for no reason. All of this is, of course, fuel to the fire. Under no circumstances did we all know this was going to happen, but we understand we on to bigger and better things.”
