Colorado's Shedeur Sanders primed for NFL future

Sanders' draft stock climbs higher week-by-week

Shedeur Sanders primed for a big NFL future

The Atlanta Falcons selected Deion Sanders as the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NFL draft. It was clear the NFL and the ATL were about to receive a generational talent in the making. Sanders introduced the world to Prime Time. A confident, intelligent, brash, must watch cornerback out of Florida State, who took the NFL by storm and became one of the greatest defenders in league history.

Now, another Sanders will eventually take the NFL stage and be the next "big thing." It wouldn't be unreasonable to believe Shedeur's moment could come this spring, if he chooses. Sanders has proven in his first two games at Colorado what those around him already knew in his ability to be a game changer. He showed it at Jackson State, and people said it wasn't real because it was not Power five.

However, the haters were wrong and ignored the fact that he was working with top-tier NFL legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Not to mention, Shedeur was born into NFL greatness and now has his biggest influence as his coach. Besides his background, Sanders is breaking away from his father's image.

Those who once were blind can now see Shedeur Sanders as a great quarterback. The one thing that Coach Prime has never lacked as a player or coach is confidence, and it's the same trait passed down to Shedeur. Although it is shown in different ways, all three of his sons exude that same energy.

 Occasionally, you do get to see it, like when he flashed his Rolex at a Nebraska player before the game on Saturday. While his dad was very much, and still is, a "tell it like it is" personality, he always backed it up on the field, just like Shedeur did against the Huskers. Coach Prime was great about giving you a preview and then showed you everything in detail. Shedeur shows you on game day and then tells you about it afterwards.

Sanders, like his father, is physically gifted, no doubt about that. He might not have the speed that his pops had, but he knows how to use his legs. He can break a run out of the pocket and knows how to avoid the hit. All of the Buffs assistant coaches have raved about Shedeur's football I.Q. in Fall Camp, and still nobody outside of Boulder took notice.

One of Sanders' most underrated qualities is his footwork in the pocket, along with the movement by stepping up to sliding out of the way of an oncoming defender. When you watch Shedeur in the pocket, he always has a good platform that he is throwing off. He steps into his throws and hits his targets. The only time he is throwing off his back foot is when there is pressure.

Sanders has sound fundamentals that will be on display often this season. He's elusive and knows how to keep plays alive. When there is pressure, he has shown the ability to avoid the sack and keep the play alive. All while keeping his eyes down the field to find an open target. This comes as a byproduct of working years with several NFL QBs and receivers.

In some ways, he looks like a young John Elway when he would avoid sacks and keep the play alive only to hit one of his receivers for a big play. Add in Brett Favre, Fran Tarkington, Randall Cunningham, and one Patrick Mahomes to the mix. Shedeur shows shades of all those prolific NFL passers. While he is not at the same level yet, he has shown that he has the same skill set as those greats.

Like his father, he sees the game differently. He puts in the work on and off the field in the film room. That comes from being a student of the game by breaking down defenses, knowing where the rush is coming from, and whether a defense is in man or zone and he sees it. Sanders doesn’t just rely on his physical gifts to win a game. He understands the mental aspect and that his intelligence is key to being a next-level player.

Sanders is great at using his eyes to deflect a defender into thinking he is going one way with the ball when he goes the other. It's a simple misdirection, but he knows the personnel that he has on the field and where to go at all times. He doesn’t force the situation unless he absolutely must. He knows that one mistake can cost you and that he can beat you on the next play. Sometimes, you must take one step back to take two steps forward, and he understands that. This also comes with playing mistake-free football.

One thing that has yet to be talked about on the national broadcasts is Sanders' toughness. He has shown that when running the ball , he can take a hit. But what has really stood out is when he is in the pocket, and he knows he is going to get hit he stays in there and still makes the throw. Sanders is not afraid of contact.

Sanders will likely surpass 10,000 yards passing in his collegiate career and has a good chance to crack the century mark for TD's as well. For those who doubt him, be ready for him to prove you wrong.

While he does have another year of eligibility, he has a great chance to enter the NFL ranks after one year in Boulder. There could be a 35-year gap between when his pops was drafted and when he will hear his name called by Roger Goodell. What makes it sweeter is that the Atlanta Falcons need their next QB, and Shedeur might start his NFL journey in a full-circle moment for the Sanders family.