Coach Prime touts Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter draft credentials

BOULDER, Colo. — For the horde of NFL expertise evaluators and a few bleachers stuffed with followers, Colorado coach Deion Sanders mentioned Friday that all of them acquired to see the highest two gamers obtainable on this yr’s NFL draft.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter had been among the many 16 Colorado gamers who took half within the college’s showcase occasion for scouts, coaches and personnel executives from each NFL group. And Deion Sanders mentioned the 2 marquee gamers confirmed what he has recognized for a very long time.

“It is super,” Sanders mentioned. “… They need to be going 1-2 [in the draft], that is the way in which I really feel about it. They’re the 2 greatest gamers on this draft. … The surest bets on this draft are these two younger males, and I did not stutter or stammer after I mentioned that.”

Neither Shedeur Sanders nor Hunter took half in many of the place drills or bodily testing, however Sanders had a throwing session for just below an hour and Hunter was one of many large receivers who participated. Neither participant labored out on the scouting mix earlier this yr, so it was the primary time Sanders had thrown in such a setting for the reason that finish of the season. He confirmed some full seven-step drops and play-action from the shotgun and beneath heart.

“I feel I did fairly good, to my expectations,” mentioned Sanders, who set the profession FBS accuracy mark in his two years at Colorado (71.8%) to go along with his 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns final season. “I do know I did one of the best in school soccer proper now, for positive.”

Requested after the throwing session whether or not he believed he was one of the best quarterback within the draft, Sanders mentioned: “I really feel like I am the No. 1 quarterback, and that is what I do know. However on the finish of the day, I am not caught on that as a result of it is in regards to the scenario, so no matter scenario, no matter franchise believes in me, I am excited to go. … I am comfy in any scenario.”

Gamers Hunter, who didn’t converse to the media after the exercise, and Sanders met with the Cleveland Browns contingent, together with group co-owner Jimmy Haslam, on Thursday evening in Boulder.

“They acquired me actually full,” Sanders mentioned. “I undoubtedly wanted to go to the sauna after that. … It was a very good vibe.”

Stated Deion Sanders mentioned: “[I] spoke to the proprietor, actually pleasant. He was participating. … I feel a type of guys goes to be there [at No. 2].”

Hunter, the No. 1 participant on Mel Kiper Jr.’s Large Board, didn’t do any defensive drills Friday, however he ran a full assortment of routes.

Colorado security Shilo Sanders, Shedeur’s brother, provided loads of encouragement, shouting commentary and clapping after every throw, together with “not a number of quarterbacks could make that throw” after one deep completion.

The extremely attended occasion — by NFL representatives in addition to followers packing small bleachers — had a festive environment. Deion Sanders named it the “We Ain’t Laborious 2 Discover Showcase,” full with a big lighted “The Showcase” signal subsequent to the drills.

Hunter, who has mentioned he needs to play offense and protection within the NFL, gained the Chuck Bednarik (prime defensive participant) and Fred Biletnikoff (prime receiver) awards along with the Heisman. He mentioned whether or not he’ll primarily be a large receiver or a cornerback within the NFL relies upon “on the group that picks me.”

On Friday, Deion Sanders mentioned “ain’t no one like Travis.”

Hunter had 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a receiver final season to go along with 35 tackles, 11 cross breakups and 4 interceptions at cornerback. Within the Buffaloes’ regular-season finale in opposition to Oklahoma State, he turned the one FBS participant previously 25 years with three scrimmage touchdowns on offense and an interception in the identical recreation, in response to ESPN Analysis.

He performed 1,380 complete snaps in Colorado’s 12 regular-season video games: 670 on offense, 686 on protection and 24 on particular groups. He performed 1,007 complete snaps in 2023.

Shilo Sanders, who hoped to point out groups extra pace than anticipated, ran a 4.52 40-yard sprint after he measured in at 5-foot-11⅞, 196 kilos. He didn’t take part within the jumps or bench press that opened the exercise, citing a proper shoulder harm.

With all NFL eyes on the Colorado campus to see Shedeur Sanders throw, one participant who made essentially the most of it was large receiver Will Sheppard. Sheppard, who measured 6-2¼, 196 kilos, ran the 40 in 4.56 and 4.54 to go along with a 40½-inch vertical bounce and a 10-foot-11 broad bounce.