Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a top prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft, recently attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Sanders didn’t participate in the drills and opted to just interview with NFL teams.
Recent reports suggest that at least one team took issue with Sanders’ attitude and mannerisms during these interviews, potentially impacting his draft stock.
Warren Sapp, the Hall of Fame defensive tackle who now serves on Deion Sanders’ coaching staff at Colorado, didn’t take the criticism lightly. Sapp came to the quarterback’s defense with some strong comments. Now, he’s on a mission to uncover the identity of the anonymous NFL quarterbacks coach who reportedly took issue with the young quarterback.
NFL Coach Labels Shedeur Sanders ‘Brash’ and ‘Arrogant’
According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, an anonymous QB coach who reportedly represents a team selecting inside the top seven of the 2025 NFL Draft referred to Sanders as “brash” and “arrogant” during the prospect’s team interviews at the combine.
This criticism of Shedeur reached Sapp, who is now furiously trying to find the anonymous QB coach’s name.
🔥 Coach Sapp. Sends a Message to the Anonymous NFL QB Coach. Talks #2 & The Sanders Family
"I've been working for the last 48 hrs to get his name. If I get his name, we gonna do a deep dive into his life"
🔄 @theepregameshow
📽️ https://t.co/Jjk1qJpt09 pic.twitter.com/zaPI4tNSdU— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) March 6, 2025
“We’re talking about a quarterback coach who’s not a decision-maker, wants to make that call about our quarterback,” Sapp said when he appeared on “Thee Pregame Show.”
“I’ve been working for the last 48 hours to get his name. If I get his name, oh buddy, we gonna do a deep dive into his life,” Sapp continued, sending a public warning to the anonymous coach.
“He’s the daywalker,” Sapp said of Shedeur before adding that he has all of his siblings’ strengths “and none of their weaknesses.”
The entire issue particularly hits home with Sapp, who once donned the uniform of a University of Miami program which became renowned for its unapologetic displays of confidence and brashness beginning in the mid-1980s under then head coach Jimmy Johnson.
While Sapp didn’t arrive at UM until well after Johnson had departed for the NFL, the rambunctious defensive tackle was a notorious steward of that tradition during his days as a Hurricane from 1991-94, where he was part of a national championship team as a freshman.
In Anderson’s initial post on X, she went on to defend Sanders, commenting that this coach’s opinion was vastly different from the opinions shared by other members of the media at the NFL Combine.
Anderson also said that “[Sanders] seemed cordial, polite, witty, thoughtful along with being confident (as many athletes are).”
I am disappointed to hear that a quarterbacks coach from a team drafting in the top 7 referred to Shedeur Sanders as coming off “brash” and “arrogant” in his team interview and making his assessment known to a number of people, per source. I’m purposely not naming the team, as… pic.twitter.com/OjCTciEZIa
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 3, 2025
Unfortunately for Shedeur, Anderson isn’t the only media member who reported these concerns about the young quarterback.
In an article revealing his takeaways from the 2025 NFL Combine, NFL Draft expert Todd McShay wrote something similar. McShay cited one high-ranking team official who said that Shedeur “wasn’t taking it all that seriously,” while another claimed he lacked a “professional approach.”
Both sources noted that Sanders seemed unbothered by how they saw him. McShay said these sources were from QB-needy teams picking early in the draft.
Sapp and Shedeur’s father, Deion, have a history of defending their players from public criticism. With Shedeur making headlines once again for his attitude, Sapp did not pass up another opportunity to defend the college football star.
Is Sanders’ natural confidence being mistaken for arrogance by these NFL staffers? Or is his attitude and decision not to partake in the NFL Combine drills significantly hurting his draft stock?
Could Sanders’ Draft Stock Plummet?
According to Anderson, the quarterbacks coach who made the comments regarding Sanders’ appearance at the NFL Combine had passed along his thoughts to “a number of people.”
Interestingly, the day after the NFL Combine, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s latest mock draft had Sanders nearly falling into the second round before getting picked at No. 29 overall. The Washington Commanders hold this pick, but in this scenario, the Cleveland Browns traded up from No. 33 overall to grab the Colorado signal-caller.
Regarding the pick, Zierlein wrote, “Sanders’ slide is over, as the Browns flip their No. 33 overall pick and an additional selection to the Commanders in order to take a swing at a QB of the future.”
After his mock draft, Zierlein took to X to share his thoughts on it and the reaction it received.
“My second mock draft is where the bullets start flying because people are too used to the narratives. Last year, I should’ve been fired for having Jayden Daniels ahead of Drake Maye at number two. This year, I should be fired for having Shedeur Sanders slide in the first. I guess we’ll see.”
However, despite the recent negativity surrounding Shedeur, it seems unlikely that he falls drastically in the draft. One team that reportedly has taken a liking to Sanders is the Browns, who currently hold the No. 2 selection. The New York Giants also seem intrigued by Sanders, who is currently projected to go No. 3 overall to the Giants in PFSN’s latest mock draft.
PFSN’s Reese Decker writes that Shedeur was “seemingly born for the New York market.”
“The son of ‘Prime Time’ Deion Sanders, Shedeur has many of the traits and the pedigree to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL, along with the personality to thrive in the Big Apple,” Decker added. “He’s no stranger to the spotlight or the weight of lofty expectations. In fact, he craves it.
“Sanders has a live arm capable of layering throws with pinpoint accuracy and precision. His strong, balanced lower body allows him to fend off pressure and deliver accurate off-platform throws. Whether operating in rhythm or improvising off-schedule, Sanders excels. His pocket mobility and ability to extend plays with his legs, paired with his toughness and grit, make him an ideal fit for the Big Blue.”
It’s no surprise that the son of the legendary Coach Prime is confident given that’s what Deion was known for throughout his playing days (and he still exudes confidence to this day in his coaching career). Despite Anderson’s report, she referred to Shedeur as fairly grounded despite growing up different than most, given who his father is.
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Is it fair to call one of the next potential stars in the NFL arrogant because he carries himself with confidence, or is this just the same type of criticism his father faced in the NFL and still faces today as a leader to the next generation of football players?
One thing is certain: Sapp won’t tolerate criticism of his players. As for Shedeur — a potential superstar and likely top draft pick — he won’t lose sleep over comments about his character, as remaining confident through judgment is something Deion has always preached.
“If our confidence offends your insecurity, that’s a problem with you; it’s not us,” Coach Prime once said in a post-game press conference at Colorado.
Deion isn’t sweating the recent criticism of Shedeur either, arguing that NFL teams have an ulterior motive when they leak stuff like this to the media.
“Why [are] you the only kid in the draft that they’re hating on?” Deion asked Shedeur in a recent video. “Because they want you to slide to their team.”
All Sanders brothers have been over hyped and will be below average as they were mediocre in college games. No one said anything out of respect of their Dad.
Sapp has a job because of his past, he was over rated his whole career. I would not draft any of the Sanders brothers.
Warren Sapp need to keep his mouth 👄 above the waist
Warren has so obnoxious since he left the U.
He’s blown his money, several career opportunities and we should rely on his
Opinion.. NO !
The kid is Deion’s son, the most over rated football player in college and pro football. I would never pick him in the first round , period.
I have not liked Warren Sapp every since he got in Mike Holgrems face when Tampa Bay lost to Green Bay,in a play off game,he should have been kicked out the league then! He’s got the right name,Sapp!
Ahhh, little Sanders has to have his coaches fight his battles. Yeah, you’re not just drafting him, you’re drafting Deion and his mouth. No thanks