As the faculty soccer season unfolded, it grew to become more and more clear that one quarterback stood out above all others when it got here to the NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders.
Colorado’s signal-caller has been strong all season, main the Buffs to a 9-3 file and a date with BYU within the Alamo Bowl (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET). And Sanders stays atop the leaderboard, sitting at -200 (guess $10 to win $15 complete) this week to turn into No. 1 general.
But one other participant belatedly gained floor: Miami‘S Cam Wardwho led his staff to a 10-2 mark and a matchup towards Iowa State within the Pop-Tarts Bowl (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET). The Canes star is second in betting odds and turns into No. 1 general, at +170 (guess $10 to win $27 complete).
With the race seeking to warmth up, we thought it will be enjoyable to have our specialists take a better have a look at these two quarterbacks and weigh in on which QB deserves to be picked first.
Jason McIntyre, Rob Rang, Bucky Brooks and RJ Young had been as much as the duty. Here’s what they needed to say.
Which QB needs to be the primary choose within the NFL Draft, Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders?
Jason McIntyreCam Ward
I had Cam Ward #1. 1 in my mock draft and for many groups in want of a QB, I’d take Ward. He’s an especially gifted pitcher, strikes fluidly within the pocket, and watching him this season brings the Miami Hurricanes again to relevance: He’ll flip 23 in May and maturity will not be a difficulty.
(Jason McIntyre’s mock draft: Giants take Ward at No. 1, Raiders take Sanders)
The solely staff that undoubtedly is sensible for Shedeur Sanders is the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders thought they’d the “face” of the franchise in Jon Gruden, and that failed miserably. Sanders is an enormous time star, however I see a variety of residence soccer in him, much like Caleb Williams.
But Sanders has solely performed soccer for his father since highschool, the place his father was the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian in Texas. Then they each went to Jackson State. Then they each went to Colorado.
If your staff selects Shedeur, know that the clock will instantly begin ticking and Deion Sanders can be your subsequent supervisor. I’m undecided what number of coaches will object to this earlier than the draft.
What is Cam Ward’s NFL ceiling? | The herd
Rob Rang: Shedeur Sanders
No quarterback improved his 2024 NFL draft inventory greater than Ward, however within the race to be the primary signal-caller chosen within the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders stays nicely forward of him.
Statistics might be bent to show many issues, however within the case of Sanders’ 74.2% completion charge in FBS this season, the numbers again up what’s within the film: the easy undeniable fact that “Deion’s son “He’s probably the most correct quarterback ever. the nation.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Sanders does not have a howitzer for an arm. Frankly, Ward’s is stronger. Furthermore, Sanders has a traditional and environment friendly launch, whereas Ward’s is lightning quick. And do not be stunned if Ward proves to be larger and extra explosive in no matter exercises the quarterbacks select to do, too. Ward’s inspirational journey from Incarnate Wood at Washington State to Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami is plain and a stark distinction to the perceived coddling of Sanders taking part in the previous 4 years along with his father as head coach.
How real looking is the Deion-Shedeur Sanders-Cowboys transfer?
However, from a purely soccer perspective, Sanders stands out from different quarterbacks on this class, particularly along with his accuracy and anticipation. Caught off guard within the pocket or on the transfer, he fires brief and intermediate passes with confidence and lifts the ball upfield with contact and trajectory, typically opening up his receivers. While there are some questionable selections on his tape — a pick-six early towards Nebraska, for instance — he hardly ever makes the identical mistake twice, demonstrating the expertise that comes from a lifetime spent watching and taking part in at a excessive degree.
And whereas his flamboyant persona could also be seen by some as a priority, it’s exactly his expertise and obvious consolation within the highlight which will, in truth, make Sanders common amongst teammates and unusually well-prepared for the eye of the media that comes from being the protagonist. face of an NFL franchise.
Bucky Brooks: Shedeur Sanders
The Shedeur Sanders vs. Cam Ward debate will take middle stage come draft season, however the Colorado standout is the clear selection as QB1 within the 2025 class. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder is the prototypical franchise quarterback who NFL groups have wished for the final 20 years.
From his basic drop-back model of play, to his unwavering confidence and swagger, to his playmaking capacity, Sanders ticks packing containers as an elite quarterback prospect. The son of a Hall of Fame participant with a unusual persona, he has thrived on the largest and brightest stage since he stepped onto Jackson State’s campus as a four-star recruit with a big-play popularity.
Sanders showcased the abilities of a franchise quarterback, main his JSU to a pair of SWAC championships with a 23-3 general file, together with an ideal mark in convention play. He dazzled with a 68.3% completion share for six,983 yards and 70 touchdowns with simply 14 interceptions, including 157 speeding yards and 9 touchdowns. The first-team All-American carved up SWAC defenses with surgical precision, exhibiting distinctive timing and anticipation on fast-paced throws.
Additionally, Sanders has proven poise, pocket consciousness and diagnostic expertise to punish opponents for overly aggressive coverages and blitzes. While critics have questioned his success as a result of degree of competitors, it’s laborious to disregard his performances and manufacturing as a younger participant main his staff to championships.
Shedeur Sanders 2024 Full Season Highlights | Future n. 1 selection?
After transferring to Colorado, Sanders silenced the naysayers with productive seasons, making a stir within the NFL scouting group. He accomplished 71.8% of his passes for 7,156 yards with 62 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The improved accuracy, effectivity and manufacturing are a testomony to Sanders’ fast acclimation to Pac-12/Big 12 competitors. Given his success towards higher competitors, it is simple to think about him thriving as a professional after a short adjustment interval as a rookie.
Sanders has been too good for too lengthy to fail on the NFL degree, notably after taking part in in a pro-style offense coordinated by a former NFL head coach/offensive playcaller (Pat Shurmur). He enters the league with expertise executing NFL-like ideas, shortening his rookie studying curve. Additionally, he’s a four-year starter with 50 collegiate appearances (together with the 2024 Alamo Bowl), which is able to speed up his studying curve.
Considering Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix discovered success as rookies after logging over 50 begins as collegians, Sanders has an opportunity to shine as a rookie in the fitting setting.
While Ward’s arm expertise and ease will attraction to some groups searching for a spark, Sanders’ stability, pocket consciousness and big-game expertise give him priority within the QB1 debate.
RJ Young: It depends upon what you are searching for
YES. The reply is sure, ridiculous provocateur {of professional} soccer. Yes, you, draftnik thug. Yes, you soiled fantasy soccer playmaker.
This is a type of first world issues that the wealthy and well-known complain about.
Would you quite have an attacking midfielder in your pocket (Ward) or a fixer as your subject common (Sanders)? Would you quite by no means pay taxes once more?
Yes, you’d, you impolite and radical criminal.
Would you wish to have the nation’s No. 2 passer, Ward, who threw for 4,123 yards, 36 touchdowns and 7 touchdowns, or the nation’s No. 4 passer and single-season file holder in Colorado with 3,926 yards, 35 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions?
Yes, you’d, you keyboard-tacking troublemaker.
Would you quite have the QB who threw passes to the Heisman winner (Sanders) or the one who threw passes to probably the most prolific receiver in Miami Hurricanes historical past (Ward)?
Should the Cowboys transfer on from Dak Prescott and draft Shedeur Sanders?
Yes, you’d, John Mara.
Would you quite the quarterback was cast within the crucible of Texas highschool soccer, made a reputation for himself at an FCS faculty, transferred to a Power 4 program after which took that program into the highest 25 rankings and simply wanting play for a convention title this season? It’s Sanders and Ward once more.
Yes, you’d do it with Jerry Jones.
Would you quite have the quarterback who performed greater than 40 school soccer video games in his profession?
Yes, you’d with Mark Davis.
Would you quite the quarterback had walked into the swamp, dropped 41 factors and 385 passing yards on the Gators after which circled and instructed UF followers they weren’t sufficient? So that is Ward.
Would you quite have the QB coached by one of many best soccer gamers who ever lived and one of many best athletes the universe has ever seen? The one who does not know what it is like to not be well-known. The one who is aware of who to deal with it. What his father outlined as “grown up” since he was a youngster. So enlist Sanders.
Would you want the chance to benefit from the sort of success and recognition that the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders take pleasure in? So cease debating which one to get and simply ensure you’re ready to draft one. Then it is your flip. So it is as much as your entrance workplace to encompass them with each instrument accessible to foster growth, promoting themselves brief in the hunt for the place their particular person expertise can take you.
Want the most effective probability of turning your franchise right into a Super Bowl champion with only one solitary choice?
Then the reply is sure.
Now here is the laborious half: do not screw it up.
Jason McIntyre is a FOX Sports betting analyst who additionally writes in regards to the NFL and NBA Draft. Before arriving at FOX, he created the web site The Big Lead. Follow him on Twitter @JasonRMcIntyre.
Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports. He has been overlaying the NFL Draft for greater than 20 years, working at FOX, Sports Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA Today, Yahoo, NFL.com and NFLDraftScout.com, amongst others. He additionally works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Follow him on Twitter @RobRang.
RJ Young is a nationwide school soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports and host of “The Number One College Football Show” podcast. Follow him to @RJ_Young.
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