The Cleveland Browns surprised many by selecting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the 144th pick in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, despite him being viewed as a potential first-round talent. Sanders, projected by some to be picked as high as No. 3 to the New York Giants or No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, fell behind five other quarterbacks, including Miami’s Cam Ward and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.
Moments after his selection, Sanders expressed his gratitude on social media, saying, “Thank you GOD.” The Browns celebrated the decision by releasing a highlight reel of Sanders, dubbing him “another playmaker in the mix.” Prior to the draft, NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers ranked Sanders as the best remaining prospect, placing him 30th on his NFL draft board.
Sanders is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, and began his collegiate career at Jackson State in 2021 under his father’s coaching. Following a successful stint there, both moved to Colorado, where Sanders played his final two college seasons. In his senior year, he was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, completing 74% of his passes with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, amassing 4,134 yards in total.
He played a crucial role in Colorado’s resurgence, helping the team improve from just one win the previous season to nine wins in 2024, marking the program’s best performance since 2016. Despite concerns about his character off the field leading up to the draft, his on-field performance made him a notable figure in the college football landscape.
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