It’s perfectly normal for top NFL Draft prospects to be picked apart by scouts, team executives, and the media during the pre-draft process. One player who has had to deal with that more than anybody else this year is Shedeur Sanders. The son of Deion Sanders and one of four players hoping to be picked first overall in April, Sanders’ every move is under the spotlight.
Former NFL safety Ryan Clark has leaped to Sanders’ defense, though, claiming that the Colorado prospect is being judged differently than past quarterback prospects.
NFL Coach Calls Shedeur Sanders “Brash” and “Arrogant”
Following the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, it was reported by NFL insider Josina Anderson that a quarterbacks coach from a team with a “top-seven pick” had been talking negatively about Sanders. According to Anderson, the coach had been openly spreading the word that Sanders came across as “brash” and “arrogant” in his combine interview with the team.
Anderson defended Sanders, claiming that the player had come across very differently at his press conference.
“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 several people, per source.”
“I’m purposely not naming the team, as not to directly call the team out. I’m just sharing that this coach’s personal assessment is the direct opposite from how Sanders came across to many reporters in his press conference with the media at the Combine.”
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
Ryan Clark Defends Sanders
Clark, now an award-winning media personality, reflected on the claims made in Anderson’s post. Speaking on his podcast, “The Pivot,” Clark defended Sanders, pointing out that the Colorado star is being dragged over the coals for things past top prospects were also guilty of.
According to @JosinaAnderson a QB coach from a team with a top 7 pick had some harsh criticism of @ShedeurSanders after the combine. It wasn’t about that player, but the person.
It’s a continuation of the odd, sometimes immature treatment he’s received. Going into the weekend he… pic.twitter.com/BO6HcUFQg0
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) March 4, 2025
“I think the craziest part to me is, you look at the two top picks last year, neither threw at the combine. So Jayden Daniels didn’t throw, who went second overall, and Caleb Williams didn’t throw, who went first overall.”
“The different approach to Shedeur, because he’s a Sanders, because Deion is his Dad, because of the way they controlled some sort of narratives. Because of the way they talk, because of the way they move, because of the confidence they exude, he seems to be picked at more than other quarterbacks.”
Clark went on to name Joe Burrow, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, as another player who didn’t throw at the combine. He also pointed out Baker Mayfield was the last first-overall pick to throw at the combine in 2018.
It’s difficult to argue with Clark’s reasoning. In a primarily meritocratic sport, Sanders’ father’s publicly taking care of his career so far was always going to lead to increased scrutiny. April’s draft in Green Bay will reveal how the NFL views Sanders, but he’ll have a chance to prove the doubters wrong from September.