Shedeur Sanders explains why Colorado is the place for him in 2024, rather than NFL

Shedeur Sanders isn’t happy anywhere but the top. The Colorado quarterback considered entering the NFL Draft after this past season, but ultimately opted to run it back with the Buffaloes. This past week, Sanders revealed the reasoning behind his massive decision.

“I’m trying to be the first quarterback off the board. That’s really what it is,” Sanders said. “I respect Caleb (Williams). I respect how he plays. He’s a great player. But, overall, there’s just different tiers of quarterbacks.

“There’s guys that’s special, there’s guys that’s are good and guys that are OK, game managers. You’ve gotta understand what player you are and what category you fall in. I understood this year wasn’t my year. I didn’t have enough time at this level.”

The 2023 campaign was Sanders’ first at a Power Five program. He spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Jacksonville State. He didn’t shy away from his newfound opportunity.

In his first season in Colorado, Sanders exploded for 298 completions on 430 attempts (69.3%) for 3,230 passing yards and 31 total touchdowns. Additionally, Sanders notched 111 carries for 394 yards and four scores.

Sanders’ 3,230 passing yards are the most in a single season in program history. His 69.3% completion percentage is the best in Colorado history, as well. For his efforts, he was named the AP Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year.

Sanders’ accolades become even more impressive when you consider Colorado’s offensive line last season. The Buffaloes’ front five allowed 56 sacks in the 2023 campaign, the second-most in the country.

Sanders eventually paid the price for Colorado’s lack of protection, suffering a season-ending lower back injury late in the year. Despite the injury, Colorado’s head coach and Shedeur’s father, Deion Sanders, believes his son would have been a top draft pick if he had entered his name this past season.

“So let’s just get that straight. If Shedeur would’ve gone in the draft this year, he probably would have been the second (quarterback),” Sanders said. “He wouldn’t have been the first quarterback off the board. I think he had the ability but he probably would’ve been the second quarterback off the board.”

If all goes according to the Sanders’ plans, NFL scouts will be drooling over Shedeur’s on-field abilities by the end of this season. Colorado began its spring practices on March 18. On April 27, fans can catch a glimpse of their QB1 in Colorado’s annual spring game.