"Lot of hate": Shedeur Sanders embraces the noise, sends a strong message to NFL Draft critics

Shedeur Sanders has never been a stranger to scrutiny. Being the son of legendary athlete and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, expectations have followed him at every stage of his football career—from Jackson State to Colorado and now, as he prepares for the NFL. While Sanders boasts an impressive college resume, the pre-draft process has introduced a different challenge: navigating the barrage of evaluations and criticisms that come with being a high-profile quarterback prospect.

Shedeur Sanders Blocks Out Noise as NFL Draft Nears

As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, Sanders remains steadfast in his approach. He recently spoke with NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks at the Big 12 pro day, describing the lead-up to the draft as a "learning experience." While his talent is undeniable, questions about his personality have emerged, particularly following the NFL Scouting Combine. Some anonymous evaluators labeled Sanders as “arrogant” and “brash”—labels often attached to confident quarterbacks, despite the position demanding leadership and assertiveness.


At Colorado’s Pro Day, Sanders directly addressed these claims when asked about the ongoing chatter. “Well, we always understood to block out the noise, even from Jackson State and Colorado,” Sanders said via Mike Freeman of NFL Network. “It’s a lot of critics, it’s a lot of hate. But we know what to do, we know how to handle that in every way. So we remain happy.”

Deion Sanders, never one to shy away from defending his family, dismissed the negative evaluations as outright fabrications. Per Freeman, the Colorado coach called these reports “lies” and even hinted at revealing the name of the individual responsible for spreading misinformation. However, he ultimately refrained from doing so.

The reality of the pre-draft process is that teams often circulate negative narratives about players they secretly covet, hoping to cause a draft-day slide that works in their favor. However, in Shedeur’s case, there’s an added layer of complexity. With Deion Sanders publicly stating that he would only consider coaching in the NFL if it meant working with his son, some teams may hesitate. The fear of a future coaching shake-up tied to the Sanders family dynamic could push hesitant franchises away.


But this might be exactly what Deion wants. By making certain teams wary, he could be ensuring that Shedeur lands in a stable environment, avoiding organizations that lack the structure to develop a franchise quarterback. It’s a strategic move—one that could help Shedeur thrive under the right leadership.

With the 2025 NFL Draft set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Sanders is projected as a high first-round pick. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently predicted he could go No. 3 overall to the New York Giants, a franchise in desperate need of a long-term answer at quarterback.

Despite sitting out the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, Sanders has been actively training and meeting with teams. He is expected to showcase his skills by throwing to his former Colorado receivers at the “CU football showcase” on April 4.

Through it all, Shedeur remains unfazed by the outside noise. “We’ve always understood to block out the noise, even from Jackson State and Colorado,” Sanders told Brooks. “It’s a lot of critics, it’s a lot of hate, but we know what to do. We know how to handle that in every way so we remain happy.”

Also Read: While NFL future remains uncertain, Aaron Rodgers quietly backs golfers through Venmo transactions

As draft day approaches, the narrative surrounding Shedeur Sanders will continue to evolve. But one thing is certain—he’s prepared for the moment, ready to prove his worth at the next level.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.