When likeness and prejudice overpower talent Dear Shedeur,

The stage is set, the lights are bright. Today's the day many young college athletes dream about: NFL Draft Day 2025, which takes place from April 24-26. This year's draft has some pretty good talent, and the fans and organizations are excited to draft the future of the NFL. This year, the Tennessee Titans held the number 1 overall draft pick, with many believing it would be a toss-up between Cam Ward, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter, or Coach Prime's son, Shedeur Sanders. The Titans started the draft by selecting Cam Ward, which many people weren’t shocked or upset about because the Titans needed a quarterback, and Cam was one of the best in this draft class.

Next on the board was two-way talent Travis Hunter to the Jaguars, so many were wondering where Sanders would land. Leading up to the draft, there had been chatter about Sanders falling a little later in the draft, not due to his behavior or off-the-field antics, but more so what he comes with and his personality. Sanders, who was phenomenal for Colorado State, which is coached by his father, Hall of Fame football player Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, was just coming off a great finishing season for them and even got his jersey number retired with his other superstar teammate, Travis Hunter.

However, many NFL executives were not “impressed” by Sanders declining to throw at multiple pro days where scouts come to look. Some took that as a sign of arrogance and entitlement, as if Sanders made the statement, “What more y’all want me to show you?” Also, Sanders is very flashy, and I say confident, which some look at as arrogant. Additionally, some believe he is entitled due to his father being who he is. Whether or not people feel that way, it doesn’t negate his talent.

As the first round of the draft concluded and Sanders' name wasn’t called at all, many were left shocked and surprised because his talent is first-round worthy. Suspicion really started to rise once the second round concluded and Sanders was still on the board. “Okay, what’s going on? His numbers prove it; his talent proves it. Why hasn’t his name been called?” Many fans, spectators, and sports journalists, including Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless, and even President Trump, along with many sports athletes, chimed in, expressing their disgrace at his name not being called. I really think we are witnessing that no matter how talented you are, likeness and prejudice are very real, and this looks very bad for the NFL.

Round 3 has concluded, and still, his name hasn’t been called. Round 4, hopefully, it does get called so he can show those organizations the mistake they made by passing on him like this. But if his name isn’t called in this draft, it will definitely put a major spotlight on the organizations’ practices, fairness, and ethics.

-Samuel

@samuelshouseofart