Shedeur Sanders‘ NFL Draft dreams hit a snag, and now experts are buzzing about a wild idea-could he return to college football? The Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, son of coach Deion Sanders, went unpicked in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, despite a stellar 2024 season with 4,133 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and a 71.8% completion rate, per ESPN stats.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio floated a bold suggestion: Shedeur should consider going back to college, leveraging a rare eligibility loophole. “If there’s a way to do it, Shedeur Sanders should consider trying to return to college football,” Florio wrote, sparking a firestorm of debate online.
Shedeur, who transferred from Jackson State to Colorado in 2023, led the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record in 2024, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. But his draft stock took a hit-once a projected top-10 pick, he slipped due to concerns over his “entitled” attitude, per NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero.
“Teams are hesitant-he’s got the talent, but the intangibles worry them,” an X user tweeted, echoing scouting reports. Florio pointed out a potential path back: Shedeur didn’t sign with an agent before the draft, a move that might allow him to retain eligibility under NCAA rules, similar to Marcus Dupree’s 1980s case.
Expert says return to Colorado is smart
The idea’s not far-fetched-Shedeur’s brother Shilo returned to Colorado in 2024 using a medical redshirt, and Shedeur could explore a similar route, especially with Deion as coach. “He might be able to do what others have done in the past and return to college,” Florio noted, suggesting another year could boost Shedeur’s stock for the 2026 draft. X users are split-“Shedeur back at Colorado would be insane!” one fan posted, while another argued, “He needs to go pro, even if it’s Round 4.”
Shedeur’s confidence never wavered-he told NFL Network at the combine, “If you ain’t trying to change the franchise, don’t pick me.” But with teams like the Browns (No. 33 pick) and Steelers passing on him, his draft slide stings.
Deion, a Hall of Famer, has been vocal about his son’s readiness-“Shedeur’s a pro already,” he told USA Today in 2024. Still, Florio’s suggestion has fans buzzing-could another year at Colorado, with 12 starts in 2024 and a 69.3% career completion rate, make Shedeur a top pick in 2026?
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