Shedeur Sanders capped off his senior year at the University of Colorado by throwing for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Sanders has declared to enter the 2025 NFL Draft and is regarded as a top-10 draft prospect.
At Colorado, Shedeur was known for his accuracy, ability to avoid turnovers, and fast release, but immense concern remains for the Colorado quarterback’s ability to succeed at the next level. Shedeur Sanders’ game will not translate due to his lack of comprehension against complex defensive fronts, overconfident arm talent, and pocket awareness.
Shedeur’s season stats painted a compelling picture, showing marked improvement from his junior year. However, it’s worth noting that the competition in the Pac-12 was significantly stiffer than what he faced in the Big 12.
While Sanders demonstrated impressive efficiency with short passes, his ability to stretch the field with deeper throws leaves something to be desired. This presents an intriguing contrast in his performance, raising questions about how he will adapt to defenses that force him to make these uncomfortable throws.
Shedeur Sanders’ final game took place against the BYU Cougars in the Alamo Bowl on December 28, 2024. In that matchup, the Colorado quarterback completed 69.6% of his passes, totaling 208 yards, along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. On the ground, Shedeur struggled, finishing with -34 yards on nine attempts.
His performance was disappointing and marked a rough conclusion to his collegiate career. The 13th-ranked Cougars’ defense effectively contained Shedeur and his Heisman teammate, Travis Hunter. This loss highlighted some critical weaknesses in Sanders’ game and raised questions about his ability to perform against high-level, complex defenses.
While Shedeur Sanders displays impressive touch and accuracy on short and intermediate throws, his arm strength presents a potential limitation at the NFL level. Instead of raw velocity, Sanders relies on precision and timing. However, this reliance could become a liability against tighter NFL coverages and faster closing defenders.
His deep ball lacks elite zip, which may allow defensive backs to contest catches more effectively and disrupt plays. He relies on anticipation and ball placement to succeed against defenses. Sanders’s success in the NFL will hinge on his ability to anticipate throws and consistently place the ball in optimal locations, mitigating the impact of his less-than-explosive arm.
This season, the Colorado quarterback’s performance with his legs has been less than optimal. Shedeur Sanders averaged a disappointing -0.5 yards per carry over 100 rushing attempts, highlighting a significant area for improvement. Compounding this issue is the alarming fact that the Buffaloes allowed the sixth most sacks in the nation.
While some of these were the result of elite defensive pressure, it’s clear that many can be attributed to Shedeur’s struggles of staying aware in the pocket. Sharpening this aspect is crucial for a quarterback looking to elevate both his game and the team’s performance at the professional level.
The Buffaloes lost both of their games against ranked opponents this year. Their last win against a ranked team was against the TCU Horned Frogs last season. This raises concerns about Shedeur’s ability to perform in high-stakes games against top-tier competition like the NFL.
Shedeur Sanders showcased strong performances at Jackson State and Colorado, benefiting from the college football environment and the level of competition. However, once he transitions to the NFL, he has too many imperfections in his game that could hinder his success. If Sanders cannot adapt his playing style to meet the higher demands of the professional level, he may struggle to thrive.
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