Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders compared to two-time Pro Bowler

Tony Adame

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders compared to two-time Pro Bowler image

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is bound for the NFL after the 2024 season, where he’ll almost certainly be a first-round draft pick. 

How he projects as an NFL quarterback and who he might compare to on that level right now is an interesting debate, with NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah weighing in that that Sanders reminds him of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. He signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Seahawks in Mach 2023. 

Smith was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round (No. 39 overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. 

“Like Smith during his time with the Mountaineers, Sanders plays in a wide-open college offense that showcases his polish as a passer,” Jeremiah wrote. “Both Smith and Sanders have beautiful throwing motions and deliver a firm/catchable ball. While each is capable of taking the free yards presented in the run game, neither is dynamic as a ball-carrier.”

In 11 games as a junior in 2023, Sanders threw for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Colorado opens the season against North Dakota State at home on Aug. 29.

Tony Adame

Tony Adame Photo

Tony Adame covers the Big 12 Conference for The Sporting News. He is a graduate of Southern Oregon University and has been a sports journalist for 20 years. He has won APSE Awards for breaking news, games stories and feature writing. He is also the writer and host of the Florida Society of News Editors Award-winning podcast The Sheriff: Murder, Lies & Revenge in Okaloosa County for USA Today/Gannett.