In a shocking turn of events at the 2025 NFL Draft, Colorado Buffaloes’ quarterback Shedeur Sanders—whose father, NFL legend Deion Sanders, had confidently predicted would be a top-five pick—found himself falling out of the first round entirely. As the picks went by on Thursday night, NFL teams passed on the highly-touted signal-caller, and the draft unfolded without the much-anticipated call for Sanders.
Deion Sanders, who has been a vocal advocate for his son’s NFL potential, had made his expectations clear months before the draft. He publicly stated that both Shedeur and fellow Buffaloes star Travis Hunter would be selected in the top five. While Hunter’s versatility as a two-way player saw him taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 2, Shedeur’s name went uncalled throughout the first round.
As the clock ticked down on the first round, many draft analysts and fans were left stunned by Shedeur’s omission. But it was his father’s prediction that garnered significant attention. Deion’s confident post about Shedeur being a top-five pick was quickly updated with a “Community Note” by X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The note read, “Shedeur Sanders was not a top-5 draft pick,” highlighting the unexpected fall of the former Heisman finalist.
Following the conclusion of the first round, Shedeur Sanders addressed the surprising outcome, acknowledging the disappointment but framing it as fuel for the fire. He expressed that he had no doubts about his future and remained confident that “anything is possible” with the right mindset and perseverance. “Under no circumstances did we know this was going to happen, but we understand we’re on to bigger and better things,” Sanders said. “Tomorrow’s the day, we’re going to be happy regardless.”
The decision to pass on Sanders was one of the most significant surprises of the night. Teams like the New York Giants, who had a late first-round pick at No. 25, opted to take Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart instead, further solidifying the mystery surrounding Shedeur’s slide. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers, known to be in the market for a quarterback, chose defensive tackle Derrick Harmon from Oregon with the 21st pick, leaving Sanders’ future in the draft up in the air.
Many had speculated that Sanders’ arm strength and readiness for the NFL were points of concern among scouts. Although Sanders had an outstanding college career under the tutelage of his father, Deion, questions lingered regarding his ability to transition to the pro level. Despite his college accolades, including a Heisman Trophy finalist spot, Sanders’ draft stock ultimately did not match the high expectations surrounding him.
As the second round of the draft approaches, all eyes will now be on Shedeur Sanders. His fall may have been shocking, but it’s far from the end of his journey. With the second round set to begin, Shedeur’s name is expected to be called soon, and he remains confident that the future is bright. The 2025 draft has already proven to be one of surprises, and Shedeur’s journey to an NFL roster is only just beginning.