Desmond Howard: Shedeur Sanders is 'a legitimate Heisman contender' after Week 1 breakout

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders had arguably the most impressive performance of any college football player in Week 1.

The junior passed for 510 yards and four touchdowns in the opener against TCU as the Buffaloes pulled off the stunning upset.

Shedeur Sanders immediately jumped into the Heisman conversation with his performance, and ESPN College GameDay analyst Desmond Howard believes he has a real chance to win the award.

“They have the skill on the perimeter that’s going to give a lot of teams fits, but more importantly, they’ve got the trigger man. Shedeur Sanders is a legitimate Heisman contender right now,” Howard said Friday on First Take. “He went on the road to TCU, threw for over 500 yards, for four touchdowns, including the game-winner late in the fourth quarter. And he showed the poise, the skill level and the high football IQ that you look for in an exceptional quarterback.”

Colorado had four different players top the 100-yard mark against TCU as Jimmy Horn Jr., Travis Hunter, Xavier Weaver and Dylan Edwards each finished with 117 yards or more.

It was an impressive performance all-around for Colorado, with Sanders leading the way.

“They do have the skill. There’s no doubt about that. But more importantly, they have the trigger man to get it done in Shedeur Sanders,” Howard said.

First Take star Stephen A. Smith echoed Howard’s comments.

“No doubt about it. Heisman trophy candidate, by the way,” Smith said. “He’s going to be right up there with Caleb Williams and the rest of those brothers, based on what I saw last week.”

Joel Klatt could see Shedeur Sanders turn into Top-10 NFL Draft pick

Shedeur Sanders also caught the attention of Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt with his performance against TCU.

Klatt said he can see Sanders being a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft after Colin Cowherd asked him that question earlier this week. Sanders set the school’s all-time single-game passing record with his performance against the Horned Frogs.

Klatt broke down what he saw from Sanders and what he could be at the NFL level.

“Let’s just say this, if Shedeur continues to play at this level, he’s absolutely in the conversation in the top 10 of the NFL Draft,” Klatt said on The Herd. “Fourth down, game’s on the line. It is fourth-and- three, and he gets a blitz in his face and he back pedals and basically throws a fade away that if it’s behind the wide receiver — or running back in this case — by a yard, it’s stopped. Because the linebacker is going to catch up and tackle them and he fades away and throws it perfectly on the outside.”