Sep 2, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) scrambles out of the pocket against TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Johnny Hodges (57) at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/03/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (84%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.11 DOB: 02/07/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 01/03/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (84%*) | |
| Age: 22.11 DOB: 02/07/2002 | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 90.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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82% |
| Short Passing: |
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94% |
| Medium Passing: |
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100% |
| Long Passing: |
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100% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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72% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 5
Overall Rank:
#4
Position rank:
#1
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 2482 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
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247 RATING: 91/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Michael Penix Jr. - Washington |
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89% |
| J.J. McCarthy - Michigan |
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79% |
| Bo Nix - Oregon |
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79% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Shedeur Sanders enters the 2025 NFL Draft after rewriting record books at both Jackson State and Colorado. The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, he capped his college career with an exceptional 74.2% completion rate in 2024, leading all FBS quarterbacks. His complete collegiate statistics showcase remarkable consistency: finishing with over 13,000 passing yards, 121 touchdowns, and just 23 interceptions.Sanders' journey began at Trinity Christian High School, where he posted a 47-5 record with 12,627 passing yards and 166 touchdowns. At Jackson State, he dominated FCS competition, earning Jerry Rice National Freshman of the Year honors and leading the Tigers to a perfect SWAC record. His transition to Power 5 football at Colorado validated his talents against elite competition, though a challenging Alamo Bowl against BYU revealed areas for growth.
Through his final season, Sanders demonstrated both brilliance and resilience, setting Colorado single-season records with 3,230 passing yards and a 69.3% completion rate. His ability to elevate his game in crucial moments was evident throughout 2024, though protection issues (52 sacks taken) tested his pocket presence and decision-making.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite processing speed and diagnostic ability that consistently shows up pre-snap, making NFL-caliber adjustments and working through progressions with veteran-like precision
- Surgical accuracy in the short and intermediate game, demonstrated by his FBS-leading 74.2% completion rate and particular mastery of timing routes
- Shows rare poise under duress, maintaining mechanics and accuracy even with chaos around him - plays with the swagger of a franchise quarterback
- Lightning-quick, compact release that maintains consistency across multiple platforms, allowing him to deliver from various arm angles effectively
- Advanced understanding of defensive leverage, particularly evident on intermediate routes where he consistently throws receivers open
- Outstanding ball security relative to volume, displaying elite decision-making with a sterling TD-to-INT ratio throughout his career
- Natural command of the huddle and sideline presence that elevates teammate performance, particularly in high-pressure situations
- Above-average mobility with enough juice to extend plays when needed, though he prefers to win from the pocket
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Still developing ability to diagnose complex defensive looks, as evidenced by struggles against BYU's multiple fronts in the Alamo Bowl
- Can be overconfident in arm talent, attempting tight-window throws that may not translate against NFL closing speed
- Takes too many negative plays rather than throwing the ball away, contributed to concerning sack totals (52 in 2024)
- Shows tendency to drift backward under pressure instead of climbing the pocket, impacting throw power on deep balls
- Must improve recognition and response time against sophisticated blitz packages, particularly evident against top-tier competition
Scouting Report: Summary
Sanders projects as a high-ceiling prospect who could develop into a franchise cornerstone with proper coaching and protection. His precision in the short and intermediate game, coupled with advanced processing skills, provides an NFL-ready foundation to build upon.While his Alamo Bowl performance exposed areas for growth, particularly against complex defensive schemes, Sanders' body of work suggests a quarterback ready for NFL challenges. His ideal fit would be in a timing-based offense that emphasizes quick decisions while providing adequate protection to maximize his accuracy and decision-making strengths.
In the right system with proper development time, Sanders has legitimate franchise quarterback potential. His combination of accuracy, leadership, and proven ability to elevate his game in crucial moments creates an intriguing package for QB-needy teams early in the first round.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Shedeur Sanders (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
23.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.