Shedeur Sanders dazzled in college, especially over his final season at the University of Colorado, where he completed 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Across four seasons—two at Jackson State and two at Colorado—he threw for 14,347 yards with 134 touchdown passes and a 70.1 percent career completion rate, showcasing pinpoint accuracy and poise in the pocket.
Despite those impressive numbers and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors, Sanders slid to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft before the Cleveland Browns traded up to select him at No. 144 overall. Cleveland sent picks Nos. 166 and 192 to Seattle to secure the Colorado product, banking on his quick release and football IQ to accelerate his pro transition.
That belief was shared by three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who watched Sanders through mandatory minicamp practices.
“So far in camp, I’ve been very impressed,” Hasselbeck said, praising Sanders’s footwork and command of the huddle.
Hasselbeck, who threw for 36,638 yards and 212 touchdowns over a 17-year NFL career and earned Pro Bowl nods in 2003, 2005 and 2007, went on to predict Sanders could potentially start games for Cleveland later in the regular season.
“I wouldn’t count him out to make the team and start at some point during the season,” he added, underscoring the rookie’s chance to leap into Cleveland’s quarterback hierarchy.
The Browns arrive in training camp with a crowded room that also includes veteran Joe Flacco, 40, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, 24, and four-year NFL veteran Kenny Pickett, 27.
As full pads come on, all eyes will be on whether Sanders’ college precision translates into the NFL.
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