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A number of prominent personalities in sports media are now asking the same thing about Shedeur Sanders’ online beef with a former teammate. How could this impact his NFL Draft stock?
Early indications this offseason showed that the Colorado signal caller was the overwhelming choice to be picked first overall in next year’s selection process. Now, some don’t see that as being the case.
The quarterback was seen getting into it with ex-Buffalo safety Xavier Smith over comments made about head coach Deion Sanders. Those remarks were unveiled as part of a story by The Athletic.
That piece followed up with players that were encouraged to transfer out of the program when Coach Prime arrived in Boulder. Smith says he was told to leave but opted to stick around and try to earn his spot.
He wasn’t given the chance, according to his recollection of the spring practice session, claiming incoming players were shown favoritism.
Smith later moved onto Austin Peay where he became a Freshman All-American, but his experience at Colorado has now sparked major reaction.
Shedeur Sanders responded to the claims made by Xavier Smith.
“[I don’t even] remember him, [to be honest],” the passer wrote on X. “Bro had to be very mid at best.”
The jab immediately went viral, with many viewing the response as unnecessary and immature, though Sanders would tell you he was just defending his father.
Those qualities aren’t prized by NFL teams evaluating quarterback talent. Will it have an effect on his draft stock moving forward?
Shedeur knows that NFL teams can see his Twitter, right?
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) May 1, 2024
College football personality Barrett Sallee believes the beef could have an impact. He commented on the squabble during a recent podcast.
“[Shedeur Sanders] has three hats,” he said. “Leader, son of head coach, starting QB… You cannot say that because it shows a lack of leadership. It shows a lack of trust. It shows a certain level of dysfunction.”
Sanders’ response seems to have already had an effect, at least on perception, as his NFL Draft odds have quickly tumbled.
His chances of being picked No. 1 overall fell from +100 to +500 in less than 24 hours as he’s now listed as co-favorite.
Shedeur Sanders odds to go first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft @FDSportsbook:
– Before this tweet: +100 (favorite)
– Since this tweet: +500 (co-favorite) pic.twitter.com/5fe5bkgOpc— Covers (@Covers) May 1, 2024
Deion Sanders isn’t worried about his son’s NFL future, which he confirmed by getting involved in the social media spat himself, but maybe somebody should be!