Ever seen a dad hijack his son’s spotlight like he’s calling an audible at the line? Now, parents guiding their children’s important decisions aren’t exactly breaking news, and when you have Deion Sanders as your father, it means receiving influential and heavy-handed advice. But when Coach Prime says, “It’s a couple of teams I won’t allow him to play for,” things start to feel less like fatherly advice and more like a power struggle. The question is: Is Deion Sanders directly controlling Shedeur Sanders’ NFL fate, or is there a different dynamic at work?

While Shedeur wants to soar on his own now, his father Deion intends to have a major say in choosing Shedeur’s NFL fate. “I’m not gonna let my son get down in no foolishness,” Coach Prime said. “I know what’s behind the curtain. We ain’t got to get back there for me to understand what’s behind the curtain and what’s not prominent for my son. I’m not doing it.” 

Now, we all know that after Shedeur’s Combine’s behavioral concerns, he got an ‘arrogant’ tag, following which, his draft stocks are not just seeing a serious hit, but he is not even getting a spot inside the top 10 picks. In his latest mock draft, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked him 21st, not 2nd. Then, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein even projected the Browns trading up to 29th overall to select the former Buffs star. Worst part? He’s gone from -350 odds in January to a shocking -1500 now. Now you can understand what kind of hit we are talking about.

You might call it a result of ‘arrogance’ or Deion Sanders’ influence, but there’s another factor that’s influencing Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock. PFF’s Dalton Wasserman highlights the same thing in the March 7 Locked on Buffs podcast, saying, “Think what I heard more so at the Combine is there are more scouts enamored with Cam Ward than necessarily with Shedeur Sanders. I think that just has to do with the fact that he doesn’t have the most elite physical tools, like a Josh Allen or a Justin Herbert does. So, I think there’s a greater debate as far as how his game translates to the NFL. But I don’t think there’s as much to manipulating where he wants to go as people think.”

The debate between Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders never seems to rest. From their college days, the focus was on determining the true generational talent. Now, the spotlight has shifted to who will be called first on draft night. The recent AP mock draft has added more intensity to the discussion by suggesting that the New York Giants might trade up to pick Cam Ward at No. 1, while the Las Vegas Raiders might make their move for Shedeur.

However, the ongoing criticism of Shedeur’s perceived ‘lack of elite physical tools’ continues, overshadowing his exceptional processing, timing, and accuracy skills. It’s worth noting that he currently holds the FBS record for career completion percentage. The focus on Deion Sanders’ influence overshadows Shedeur’s efficiency, decision-making, and pro potential, despite impressive statistics.

Top Comment by Lawrence Hill

Dion knows what it takes to survive in the NFL. Plus he has been coaching his son from a very...more

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Debate

Now, all of this Deion Sanders influence started when he made a bold comment on Shedeur Sanders’ future, which affirmed his involvement, saying, “I know where I kinda want them to go. There are certain cities where it isn’t going to happen. It’s going to be an Eli.” But the Buffs’ insider Kevin Borba thinks there’s something else cooking behind the scenes, as he says, “I feel like it could go either way. They’re either working really hard behind the scenes, or… they’re just trusting the process and it’s unfolding naturally.” Remember Eli Manning in 2004? His family made it clear, though not vocally, that he shouldn’t join the LA Chargers.

Well, being Deion Sanders’ son comes with a lot of attention. And to expect Shedeur to be quiet and not make buzz is nonsensical. And even if NFL scouts are seeing his confidence as arrogance, there are people out there backing him up.

Warren Sapp clearing up Shedeur Sanders’ rude behavior

Let’s be real – when Shedeur Sanders’ said, “If you’re not trying to change the franchise or culture, don’t get me” – that doesn’t really show his arrogance. It’s years of hard work that guy has put up on his game. And let’s not forget that when Shedeur comes out, he makes a lot of people insecure and that’s not his fault, right? Even Wasserman highlights the same thing, saying, “I think the one I believe the least is that he comes off as brash or arrogant as opposed to just confident. I mean, what made you think Deion Sanders’ son was going to come out of the womb without any confidence?” 

And Warren Sapp isn’t letting this Shedeur Sanders controversy slide. The Colorado assistant coach is on a mission to uncover the NFL quarterback coach who badmouthed Sanders after the Combine. “I’ve been working for the last 48 hours to get his name,” Sapp told Thee Pregame Show. “If I get his name, we gonna do a deep dive into his life.” He is not the only one supporting Shedeur. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith joined the defense of Sanders, refuting claims that his attitude is to blame.

Even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith openly criticized the unfair judgment of Shedeur. “I’m getting angry because a young, Black man, highly successful, highly accomplished, and incomparable and incredible pedigree is entering the NFL and is considered easily one of the top two quarterbacks entering the NFL Draft,” Smith said. But they aren’t hearing anything about how this young QB is going to change their team’s fate.

Adding to it further, Stephen A. Smith says, “We aren’t hearing about his lack of mobility, lack of arm strength, or whether or not he can make the requisite throws,” Smith continued. “We’re hearing about his attitude. Hasn’t been in trouble. Have you ever found yourself in any kind of trouble?”  Now, this is not the first time the football world is behind Shedeur’s behavior. First, people side-eyed Shedeur for leaving the field early after the Nebraska loss. Then, they called him petty for refusing to shake hands with Colorado State’s QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. But what about the reason behind it?

Shedeur Sanders left the game against Nebraska because of a possible injury. And let’s not even start on how badly the whole Colorado State team treated the Buffs. Disrespecting them, booing them throughout the game, and Branden even called them “a team that plays for clicks.” Now, this arrogant tag is now affecting his pro league future.

Well, this surely has made Shedeur Sanders’ stance loud and clear. Now, let’s see how things turn out for him after getting a major push on his NFL future.