Shedeur Sanders is not your typical college quarterback with the Sanders surname succeeding in the sport with a well-known lineage. He is creating a new path as a trailblazer and is bringing in the confidence, skills, and record-breaking level of NIL support in college sports. Now, with sky-high NIL valuations at $5.1 million – people are paying attention to Shedeur and the world of college football like never before. But if you thought he had goals that only got as far as college, then you are wrong. His gaze is set unswervingly on the NFL – and he has his sights set on a place in the record books.

This past weekend in his YouTube show, 2Legendary with Shedeur Sanders, the Colorado QB did not shy away from discussing his fate. It was not limited to the everyday essential football discourse. Also, when asked about the cars, “I already know. All right, I’m definitely going to be the first NFL player that gets a Bugatti. We’re going to say that, that I know of personally.” The confidence was real and could be seen and heard. He didn’t just say he wants to be in the NFL; here he already sees himself making history with Bugatti keys in his hands.

And the kid has every right to be correct. And already, as a student, you’re living like a pro backed by giants such as Nike, Gatorade, and Google, among the sponsors of Shedeur Sanders. It seems he is accumulating sponsorships at astonishing rates; he signed a massive partnership deal with Nike on the eve of the 2024 season opener. Shedeur’s ascension is making things interesting, not only in the college football landscape but anywhere he goes.

However, it is now abundantly clear that Shedeur has not been moved by all of this pressure he was experiencing. He gave a very casual answer to a very silly question about which of the two he would prefer, a Cybertruck or a Maybach, saying, “It just depends on what state I end up in.” But those words also tell about his future.

Shedeur’s journey to becoming a NIL star is worth telling. From Gatorade to Urban Outfitters and now a new deal with Nike he has turned into an ad icon. “I’m gonna do that, bro. I’m gonna do that when it’s the right time when it’s perfect timing,” he added as he was chatting with fans on YouTube, describing his plans with Bugatti. Be assured, they pay him well and this is not just about the money for him – it is also about timing and good moves.

Shedeur has been very calculative with his decisions. Has the highest NIL valuation, at $5.1 million, and it is worth noting that nobody is even remotely similar. Today, an LSU gymnast, Livvy Dunne, has an estimate of $3.9 million. At the same time, Texas quarterback Arch Manning is at $3.1 million. Shedeur Sanders? He’s a whole million dollars ahead. And it is not limited to endorsement alone. The Colorado QB is constructing a brand that will transfer with him to the NFL, whether he’s starting for a big-name team or shaking things up from day one.

NIL powerhouse setting the stage for NFL stardom

Apart from his contract with the big firms, Shedeur Sanders has also tested and pursued his broadcasting skills through his podcast show, 2Legendary, which began in July 2024. It allows his fans to get a glimpse into his life, his football career, and his views about college football and the NFL. But what is more inspiring than this is his concentration on making history. “Shout out to Perfect Timing – download Apple Music right now, for real,” Shedeur chuckled, continuing the music while strategizing his plays in the game, still. He’s always thinking ahead.

Although Shedeur Sanders has found a lot of NIL fame, it’s his play on the field that will determine his future in the NFL. He starts the 2024 campaign on the right note, scoring 1,630 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and a 69.3 QBR. Well, do this for long enough, and the NFL will call. Currently occupying the throne as the premier QB in college football, Shedeur might be one of the first players taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.

It has not been a breezy journey, though, for him. The Colorado Buffs began strongly in their 2023 season, only to deteriorate in the later part of the year — they lost eight of their last nine games. However, with Deion Sanders fixing up the roster, fans should expect a lot in 2024. If Shedeur Sanders can have a successful season with Colorado, people will start talking about a Heisman Trophy campaign. Now you see, the Sanders family could be writing history all over again, and this time around, Shedeur is the architect.

Where will Shedeur end up in the NFL? Will it be a team that requires a franchise quarterback or a squad that is a few players thick from being Super Bowl contenders? Regardless, the one thing that marks Shedeur Sanders for what he is – confident and a visionary – is his self-assurance and outlook on the future.