Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders has simultaneously emerged as the talk of college football and the NFL in 2024. The stats back up the hype. Sanders has thrown for 3,222 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions this season while boasting a jaw-dropping 72.9% completion rate.
Under the guidance of his legendary father, Deion Sanders, Colorado sits at 8-2 and is eyeing a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff spot.
Dan Mullen Backs Shedeur Sanders as Top Pick in 2025 NFL Draft
Former Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen is all in on the Colorado quarterback. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Mullen made a bold prediction: Sanders will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“I think it’s pretty easy, it’s Shedeur Sanders,” Mullen said. “You watch him play, the consistency week in and week out of what he’s able to do and lead that team… He has tremendous arm strength all over the field, and when it calls for it, he gets the ball out on time, and he can play on rhythm, and then he can improvise.
“If I was a betting man, he’s the guy you want right now if you want to win a game in college football. And I’d be highly shocked if he’s not the first pick taken in the draft,” Mullen continued.
.@CoachDanMullen tells @PatMcAfeeShow Shedeur Sanders is easily the best QB in college football 🔥
"I'd be highly shocked if he's not the first pick taken in the draft." pic.twitter.com/GqOIRQTL5P
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 19, 2024
As far as Mullen is concerned, it’s not just about numbers. It’s Sanders’ ability to lead, extend plays, and deliver in crunch moments that have shot up his draft stock.
Sanders’ NIL valuation of $6.2 million only adds to his star power.
Potential landing spots for the Colorado QB include high-profile franchises like the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, while the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns are also reportedly in the mix.
Sanders’ playmaking ability, efficiency, and leadership qualities make him a generational prospect. Critics might point to other rising talents like Cam Ward or Jalen Milroe, but Mullen isn’t swayed.
Mullen believes that others have raw potential, but Sanders stands out as the complete package. His knack for threading the needle while avoiding turnover-worthy plays sets him apart.
For Sanders, the sky seems to be the limit. Mullen’s prediction feels less like a hot take and more like a glimpse into the inevitable.
Come April 2025, NFL fans may very well see Sanders leading a franchise as the No. 1 overall pick. The question isn’t if he’ll be selected first, it’s which team will win the race for Coach Prime’s son.