Boy, Shedeur Sanders walked into the Alamo Bowl rocking custom New York Giants cleats, signaling his NFL intentions loud and clear. This wasn’t just another game—it was his final showcase before the 2025 NFL Draft. But here’s the thing about farewells—they can get messy. And for Shedeur, it did. A 36-14 blowout loss to BYU, capped by a mixed-bag performance, has fans and scouts wondering if his draft stock took a hit. Did Sanders’ future NFL team just witness their golden boy fold under pressure? Or was this just a minor hiccup for Colorado’s star QB?

Let’s not play. Shedeur’s resume is fire. He’s the reigning Johnny Unitas Golden Arm winner, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and finished in the top eight for the Heisman. His 2024 season? Straight-up clinic. We’re talking 3,926 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a ridiculous 74.2% completion rate. Shedeur had Boulder dreaming of championships. But that Alamo Bowl? Woof. Sanders threw for 208 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 picks. It’s not terrible, but it’s not the No. 1-pick material either. Add 4 sacks, including a brutal 23-yard loss where he tried to out-scramble BYU’s defense like it was Madden in rookie mode. Spoiler: it didn’t work. The NFL doesn’t play like that, and scouts definitely noticed.

Let’s address the gorilla in the room—Shedeur’s habit of running backwards to escape pressure. It’s his Achilles’ heel. On a critical 3rd and 3 near the goal line, BYU’s defense brought the heat, and instead of stepping up, Shedeur retreated 23 yards. NFL defenses? They’ll eat that up for breakfast and ask for seconds.

Now, don’t get it twisted. Shedeur’s got NFL-level poise and arm strength. His short-to-intermediate accuracy is a chef’s kiss, and he can throw darts even with defenders breathing down his neck. But his “see-it, throw-it” style means he holds the ball too long, inviting unnecessary hits.

In the NFL, that’s a recipe for injuries, and teams picking in the top 5 can’t afford that gamble. Here’s where you gotta respect Shedeur, though. Down 36-7 with five minutes left, he didn’t throw his white towel like Cam Ward did in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Nope, he stayed out there, fought until the final whistle, and even tossed a late TD to Sav’ell Smalls. That kind of grit? NFL teams love that.

Is the No. 1 spot still in reach for Shedeur Sanders?

Look, Shedeur has the tools to be a franchise quarterback. His ability to throw receivers open, protect them from big hits, and stay composed in muddy pockets? That’s rare. But there’s no denying the flaws that surfaced in San Antonio. The NFL is all about speed, and Shedeur’s tendency to backpedal under pressure could be his kryptonite. Let’s also talk about his see-it, throw-it style. That hesitation might work in college, but in the pros, those windows close faster than a Walmart on Christmas Eve. If he wants to live up to that No. 1 draft pick hype, he’s gotta clean that up in the off-season.

Despite the loss, Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter leave Colorado as legends. They took a program that was 1-11 just two years ago and turned it into a bowl contender. That’s not just a glow-up—that’s a full-blown transformation. Deion Sanders’ decision to have his sons play in the bowl, despite their draft stock being locked in the top two, speaks volumes about the family’s competitive nature. And while Shedeur’s Alamo Bowl performance wasn’t perfect, it won’t erase his college career’s legacy or his appeal to NFL scouts.

Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock might take a slight ding after the Alamo Bowl, but let’s keep it real—he’s still a 3 top-tier prospect. Don’t sleep on him, might even go at 1 over Cam Ward. The NFL teams value resilience, leadership, and arm talent, and Shedeur has all three in spades. The backpedaling issue? Fixable. The Picks? Learnable. What’s not teachable is the poise, precision, and confidence he brings to the field. Whether it’s the Giants or the Raiders, Shedeur’s name will be called early in April. This bowl game wasn’t the Disney ending he wanted, but trust on football gods, this story’s about getting started.