One of the biggest knocks on Shedeur Sanders as an NFL Draft prospect is how he pats the ball before he makes a throw. Marcus Vick, the little brother of Michael Vick, does not see an issue with the quirk.
Nor does the soon-to-be professional quarterback himself.
Sanders, formerly projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, has dropped below Cam Ward in terms of status. Jaxson Dart may also slide ahead of him. There may even be a team crazy enough to go with Jalen Milroe over the youngest son of Deion Sanders.
The draft stock for Sanders has dropped pretty significantly in recent weeks but he will probably still be a first round pick, if not a top-10 pick. We’ll see what happens at the end of the month.
One of the most controversial parts of the 23-year-old quarterback’s game is how he pats the ball before he throws downfield. It was on full display at his Pro Day and led to a widespread debate. Jaguars safety Andre Cisco said that he needs to get it figured out before he turns pro. Others don’t see it as an issue.
Shedeur Sanders himself is one of those “others.” He told Kay Adams that the ball pat is part of what makes him as good of a passer as he is.
Shedeur Sanders on the "patting the ball" debate.@heykayadams | @ShedeurSanders pic.twitter.com/qhL72cQ51x
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 10, 2025
Marcus Vick agrees that it will not be an issue. Michael Vick did not contest otherwise.
The Vick brothers are currently on staff at Norfolk State. Michael is the head coach. Marcus is an assistant. A new video of their reactions to the Sanders brothers’ Pro Day at Colorado was recently made public by one of the videographers on staff in Virginia.
Marcus said anyone who sees the ball pat as a problem is just a “dumba– n—- saying something.” Michael stayed quiet on the topic but he did not chime in to object.
If guys who have been there, done that do not have any problem with the ball pat, then it is not as big of a deal as the public would like to think. Both Vick brothers are in the business of talent evaluation and player development by nature of their new roles. They would say it is an issue that needs to be fixed if it was an issue. They didn’t. Enough said. Debate over.