Shedeur Sanders watched rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft pass by without his name getting called; That was until the Browns decided to give him a chance in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick. With this, he became the second QB (after Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel) that the Browns selected in the draft, but more than anything, Shedeur’s steep downward slide became the story of the evening. The decline happened despite ESPN’s prediction model giving a 96% chance that the signal-caller would be unavailable by the 21st pick. But was his fall really surprising, considering the league kept giving hints that it did not see him as a first-round talent?

Hours before the draft, his lack of arm skill, athleticism, and his complacency became points of discussion. While all this was going on, father Deion Sanders made sure to show his support to both his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, on social media. “We trust god & we don’t know any other way,” he wrote on Instagram and routinely kept sharing posts with his sons. But as Sanders’ attention was fixated on the 2025 NFL Draft, the Colorado Buffaloes started to slip. Buff insider, Brian Howell, shared some not-so-good news about what was happening back in Boulder.

“While we wait for Shedeur Sanders to be drafted, Colorado has lost one of its top-2 CBs and potential starters at RB and LB to the portal since last night, after losing a possible starter at guard a few days ago. #cubuffs,” Howell tweeted. The update only added to Deion Sanders’ collection of brickbats. A year ago, former Colorado player Xavier Smith accused ‘Coach Prime’ of forcing him to hit the portal. He told The Athletic that he left in tears as Coach Prime never wanted to explore him. While players like Tyler Brown defended the coach later, the whole incident has come back into the spotlight.

Now, during the final hours of the spring transfer portal window, Colorado lost a couple of important names. Players who entered the portal include cornerback Colton Hood and his brother Brandon Hood (Brandon Hood would have been the starter), offensive linemen Zack Owens and Jay Gardenhire, as well as linebackers Jaylen Wester and Kyeran Garcia, and cornerback Malakai Murphy. Additionally, Colton and Brandon Hood’s cousin, linebacker Trenton Hood, who spent the last season as a Colorado walk-on, also hit the portal.

Boulder has lost 12 players during this cycle.

Out of all those names, Colton will be the biggest loss for the Buffs, as he had a breakout redshirt freshman season last fall and was expected to get a starting cornerback spot after Travis Hunter left for the NFL. Colton Hood played 13 games last season and scored 24 total tackles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions. Regardless, he didn’t forget to thank the Colorado coaches before his exit. “Thanks to Coach Prime, Coach Mathis, Coach Livingston, Coaching Staff, Training Staff and especially my teammates for the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Colorado Buffs family! I have enjoyed every moment, grown significantly and loved the city of Boulder!” he wrote on X on April 25.

Further, Brandon Hood also showed his appreciation as he wrote, “I am thankful for all the lessons I have learned from being at this institution. It has molded and shaped me into a better, more mature man. I made the decision to come to Colorado because I wanted to help build something from the ground. I worked hard and did my best with every opportunity I was given! I am excited about what the future holds and look forward to what’s next. Thank you Colorado!” Hood had appeared in three games as a true freshman last season. But why did they decide to leave?

The brothers wanted to play football together and dreamed of making it big, but as per Colton Hood, on April 25, they learned that the school was moving in a different direction, and hence, they decided to map their exit. This leaves the Buffs’ running back and cornerback rooms looking depleted, but also reminds us how ‘Coach Prime’ said he wanted to get in two more running backs as well as a couple of defensive backs after the spring game. But let us not forget how many college football coaches dislike the spring portal window. After all, it turns into an audition for the players who may eventually leave for better deals after their coaches have invested hours trying to develop their talents throughout winter and early spring.

Regardless, there is some good news for the Buffs’ fans.

While it is sad to see the players leave, let us not forget that Deion Sanders brought in 21 players from the portal this offseason, and several commitments are on track. “I want to target every area,” Sanders said earlier this month about the portal. His aim was to get some of the best players and make overall improvement. But it looks like, for now, Deion Sanders will have to support his family during tough times. In addition to Shedeur’s disappointment, Shilo Sanders went undrafted.

Shilo Sanders had a tough time but found some relief!

While Shedeur Sanders finally got a fifth-round selection, his brother Shilo faced some tough luck! But eventually, he secured a spot with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. As per reports, this signing took place about 30 minutes after the final pick of the draft. So here onwards, he will have to fight for his spot in the team’s 53-man roster by showing he deserves to be there. Another way is for a different team to sign him to their active roster. But either way, he will have to show his absolute best.

In Tampa Bay, he will compete and learn from names like Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jamel Dean. All that being said, Shilo has the skill to nail it in the pro. He is an effective coverage defender with a penchant for forcing fumbles. But a year riddled with injuries eventually cost him heavily.

In the end, it was an emotional week for the Sanders. The whole family has been in Texas, where both brothers watched the draft from home. But right from Day 1, the Sanders family felt a chip on their shoulder after their most touted prospect failed to turn heads. Shilo seemed to be the most worried among all. He knew where he stood and where his brother did.

He said about Shedeur, “If they making him wait — oh buddy, I don’t even know what they going to do with me.” Well, here onwards, it will be interesting to see Shedeur and Shilo’s careers. What do you think?