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: 11/11/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (84%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.10 DOB: 02/07/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 11/11/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (84%*) | |
| Age: 22.10 DOB: 02/07/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 91.3 / 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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84% |
| 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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73% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 5
Overall Rank:
#3
Position rank:
#1
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| College Games: 35 College Snaps: 2438 | ||
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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87% |
| J.J. McCarthy - Michigan |
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76% |
| Bo Nix - Oregon |
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76% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Shedeur Sanders enters the NFL draft after a remarkable journey that saw him dominate at both Jackson State and Colorado. The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, he rewrote record books at multiple schools, finishing his college career with exceptional production including a career-best 72.9% completion rate in 2024. His complete collegiate statistics demonstrate elite consistency: 1,161 completions on 1,669 attempts (69.6%) for 13,075 yards with 121 touchdowns against just 23 interceptions.Sanders' path to prominence began at Trinity Christian High School, where he amassed 12,627 passing yards and 166 touchdowns while posting a 47-5 record. At Jackson State, he established himself as an FCS powerhouse, earning the Jerry Rice National Freshman of the Year award and leading the Tigers to a perfect 16-0 record in SWAC play. His transition to Power 5 football at Colorado showcased his ability to excel against elevated competition, culminating in his most efficient season in 2024.
Throughout his Colorado career, Sanders demonstrated remarkable clutch performance, leading the nation in second-half passing yards per game in 2023 and maintaining elite efficiency in 2024 with a career-best 163.1 passer rating. His improvement each season, particularly in completion percentage (peaking at 72.9% in 2024), shows a quarterback still ascending as he enters the NFL
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional processor with advanced understanding of defensive concepts, consistently making pre-snap adjustments and working through progressions with NFL-caliber speed and precision
- Elite accuracy in short and intermediate ranges, demonstrated by career-best 72.9% completion rate in 2024 against top competition
- Outstanding poise under pressure, maintaining mechanics and accuracy even with defenders bearing down in the pocket
- Quick, compact release with consistent throwing motion that translates to all platforms and arm angles
- Surgical timing on intermediate routes, particularly on deep outs and crossing patterns where he anticipates throwing windows
- Excellent ball security despite high pressure, posting an elite touchdown-to-interception ratio throughout his career
- Natural leader who elevates teammate performance in crucial moments, evidenced by stellar fourth-quarter statistics
- Above-average athleticism with good speed, allowing him to extend plays and create outside structure when necessary
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Tendency to hold onto the ball too long while waiting for plays to develop, leading to unnecessary hits and pressure in the pocket
- Can be overconfident in his arm talent, occasionally attempting tight-window throws that may not translate against faster NFL defenders
- Takes too many sacks rather than throwing the ball away, needs to improve situational awareness to avoid negative plays
- Sometimes drifts backward in pocket under pressure instead of stepping up, affecting throw power and accuracy on deep balls
- Despite good athleticism, doesn't consistently use his legs to escape pressure early in plays, leading to preventable pressure situations
Scouting Report: Summary
Sanders projects as a day-one NFL starter with the potential to develop into a franchise quarterback. His exceptional processing speed, accuracy, and poise translate perfectly to modern NFL offensive schemes. His steady improvement through 2024, particularly in completion percentage and efficiency, demonstrates a quarterback who continues to refine his game.His high football IQ and proven ability to elevate his game against top competition suggest a smooth transition to the NFL. While he'll need to quicken his decision-making process and improve his pocket movement, these are coachable aspects that shouldn't impede his development. Sanders fits best in a timing-based passing offense that emphasizes quick decisions and allows for occasional deep shots off play action.
In an offense that can provide adequate protection and skilled receivers, Sanders has the tools to become one of the NFL's premier passers. His combination of accuracy, processing speed, and clutch performance creates a high floor with legitimate franchise quarterback upside.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Shedeur Sanders (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
23.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
1.0
*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.