Why Shedeur Sanders Became a College Football and Video Game Star
When NCAA College Football 25 was released last July, just about every gamer gravitated toward a few elite teams—one in particular: the University of Colorado Buffaloes. The main reason? WR/CB Travis Hunter and QB Shedeur Sanders. With Hunter making plays on both sides of the ball and Shedeur showing off pinpoint accuracy and charisma, both athletes became fan favorites in the game and IRL.
During the college football season, there were real conversations that Shedeur could be the second-best QB in the 2025 NFL Draft, right behind Cam Ward, who went No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. Shedeur’s name was floating in first-round conversations early on.
How Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Stock Dropped Before the NFL Draft
As the draft got closer, things changed. Critics began to question Shedeur’s attitude, calling him “cocky” and “overconfident.” Attention started to shift to his dad, NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.
Deion’s bold public statements—including his reported interest in hand-picking which NFL team his son would play for—led to speculation that he was hurting Shedeur’s draft stock.
The situation started to draw comparisons to the 2004 NFL Draft, when Eli Manning, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the San Diego Chargers, refused to play for them. It was widely known that Eli’s father, Archie Manning, played a key role in facilitating a trade to the New York Giants. He didn’t want Eli on the Chargers—and helped force the move. It worked out pretty well: Eli won two Super Bowls.
Even though Shedeur had first-round talent, he ended up falling all the way to the fifth round, picked at 144 by the Cleveland Browns.
Deion Sanders vs. Archie Manning: Two Fathers, Two Draft Narratives
It’s not the first time a father stepped in like this. Yet the difference in how it’s viewed reveals a deeper narrative. While Archie was seen as protecting his son from a struggling franchise, Deion’s involvement has been viewed by some as controlling or harmful.
Both fathers were doing the same thing. Both used their platforms and football knowledge to provide their sons with leverage—to help them land in the best situation possible. That’s a rare and valuable asset in the business of sports.
But the difference may lie more in media portrayal than in action. Archie was called a protective father. Deion? Too loud. Too controlling. Too brash. It’s hard not to notice the difference in tone. The fact that one family is white and the other is Black adds a layer to how these stories were judged by the media and by fans. One was called “smart,” the other “too involved.”
As Deion said during the draft process: “I’m not steering him, I’m protecting him. Just like any father should.”
Shedeur Sanders’ Fall Could Be the Start of an NFL Underdog Story
With Madden 26 on the way and the new NFL season looming, Shedeur will finally get his spot in the league—and in the game. Whether he was picked in the first or the fifth round, his story is just getting started.
Much like Tom Brady, whose late selection in the 2000 NFL Draft became the foundation of a legendary underdog story, Shedeur Sanders may find similar fuel in being overlooked. Both quarterbacks entered the league with questions surrounding their games, but history has a way of rewarding those who turn doubt into drive.
DAMN: TOM BRADY TOLD SHEDEUR SANDERS TO STUDY FILM AND STOP BUYING ROLLS ROYCES.
Deion: “Do you think a college kid needs a Phantom, like a Rolls-Royce???”
Tom: “I think he needs to get his a*ss in the film room & spend as much time in there as possible”pic.twitter.com/99oVvLdT8H
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 4, 2025
If Sanders channels that same edge, his draft position might not be seen as a snub—but as the spark that starts something remarkable.
Breaking Down the Shedeur Sanders Draft Controversy: Your Questions Answered
There’s been a lot of noise around Shedeur Sanders’ draft drop — and even more questions. From comparisons to Eli Manning to Deion’s role as coach and dad, here are some of the things fans, critics, and casual observers have been wondering.
Despite early first-round projections, Shedeur Sanders dropped to the fifth round due to a mix of media scrutiny, concerns about his attitude, and speculation that his father, Deion Sanders, was influencing where he’d play. Many believe the criticism was unfair and inconsistent with how similar situations—like Eli Manning’s in 2004—were treated.
Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s father and head coach at Colorado, publicly expressed interest in helping steer his son to the right NFL franchise. Critics labeled this as interference, though Deion said he was simply protecting his son like any father would.
Like Eli Manning in 2004, Shedeur Sanders was the subject of a draft-day controversy involving his father’s influence. But while Eli was praised and supported by media and fans, Deion and Shedeur faced criticism—raising questions about racial double standards in sports narratives.
Yes. Now that Shedeur Sanders has officially joined the NFL, he is expected to be included in Madden NFL 26 when it launches later this year.
The post From Boulder to the Big Leagues: How Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Journey Mirrors Eli Manning’s Past appeared first on American Urban Radio Networks.
