As the bright lights dimmed after the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night, one of college football’s most high-profile quarterbacks found himself in an unfamiliar position—on the outside looking in.
Shedeur Sanders, the polarizing and prolific signal-caller out of Colorado and the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, went undrafted in Round 1—a development that left many stunned and the Sanders family noticeably emotional during a private gathering in Detroit.
Standing among family and close friends, Shedeur addressed the elephant in the room with a blend of disappointment and resolve.
“We all didn’t expect this, of course,” Sanders said in a speech captured shortly after the draft concluded. “But I feel like with God anything is possible; everything’s possible. I don’t feel like this happened for no reason.”
Despite a season that saw him throw for over 3,200 yards with 27 touchdowns behind a shaky offensive line, Sanders had become a lightning rod for debate among NFL scouts. Some questioned his footwork and deep-ball consistency; others cited his leadership and pro-readiness as among the best in the class. But no one predicted this: a player with pedigree, poise, and production sliding out of the first 32 picks.
Sanders didn’t mask his frustration, but he also didn’t lose sight of the bigger picture.
“All this is, is of course fuel to the fire and under not circumstances, we all know this shouldn’t of happened,” he said. “But we understand we are on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day, we’re going to be happy regardless.”
The quarterback’s name trended throughout the evening, with several analysts noting that teams in the late first round may have opted for safer, system-specific options over the bold upside Sanders offers. The decision could prove costly for teams in need of dynamic quarterback play.
His father, Coach Prime, remained silent publicly but was seen comforting his son throughout the night. Sanders, who transferred from Jackson State to Colorado with his father, became the face of the Buffaloes’ program and helped energize a college football fan base that hadn’t felt that type of buzz in years.
Now, as Day 2 looms, Sanders is squarely in play for teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints—franchises still looking to solidify their futures under center.
If Thursday night offered a lesson in patience, Friday will be about redemption. For Sanders, the chip on his shoulder just grew a little heavier—but so did the fuel.
As he put it best: “Tomorrow’s the day.”
