Matt Rhule heavily defends Shedeur Sanders as a top-three pick in NFL Draft

Where Shedeur Sanders will land during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft has been one of the biggest storylines heading into Thursday’s annual event. Some see him as a top-five pick, others project him to slide down the first round and beyond.

To Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, who has played against Sanders in consecutive years at Colorado, he believes the New York Giants should pull the trigger on Sanders with the third overall pick. Despite signing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston earlier this offseason, perhaps selecting Sanders could be viewed as a long-term solution for the franchise under center.

“I would take him No. 3 overall. Without a question,” Rhule said, via ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Thamel said in his tweet that he asked around to some college football coaches about their thoughts on Sanders’ draft stock. Of course, Rhule being a former NFL head coach — and a former Giants assistant, for that matter — his perspective may shed some light as to how current NFL coaches are evaluating this year’s quarterback class, as well as Sanders specifically.

“I think he’s tough,” Rhule continued, via Thamel. “You can quote me on this. This is how strong I feel. He took 12 hits against us. 12 hits. There were 7 sacks. He’s accurate, smart. Sees coverages. Can run if he has to. He’s gone to 2 places that haven’t won and they won.

“… “Here’s why – to me, he’s the guy who can handle the spotlight in New York. He’s the only person raised from (childhood) to know to handle the spotlight. Who are some of the greatest-ever QBs in NY – Broadway Joe and Eli Manning. Shedeur was trained at the foot of his dad. He’s got a completely different demeanor. The spotlight there is so large. I think he’ll crush it.”

Shedeur Sanders has thrived in the spotlight as well. As a senior in 2024, Sanders threw for a career-best 4,134 yards on an impressive 74% completion percentage to go along with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Spending the last two seasons playing for Colorado, he scored 72 total touchdowns.

All told, Sanders passed for 14,318 yards and 134 touchdowns. His 10 interceptions in 2024 were a career-high, so he isn’t known for turning the ball over through the air. Before Colorado, Sanders played two seasons for Jackson State, where he threw for an impressive 70 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions.

He’ll step into the spotlight once again on Thursday as Sanders hopes to hear his name called during the first round. Where that may be remains one of the night’s most interesting storylines.