Travis Hunter Skips Workouts, Shedeur Sanders Throws at Highly Anticipated Colorado Pro Day
Key Insights
Travis Hunter Sits Out: The Heisman Trophy winner and projected top-three pick, Travis Hunter, opted not to participate in workout drills, mirroring his approach at the NFL Scouting Combine and Big 12 Pro Day. He did meet with teams at the combine.
Shedeur Sanders Throws: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders participated in throwing drills, providing scouts their first public workout viewing after he also skipped combine drills. Private workouts with the Titans and Browns are reportedly scheduled.
Top Team Scrutiny: The Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants – holding the top three picks in the current 2025 draft order – had notable contingents present, including General Managers, Head Coaches, and even the Browns' owner.
Sheppard Shines: Wide receiver Will Sheppard, a transfer not invited to the combine, turned heads with impressive athletic testing, including a 40.5-inch vertical leap and a 10'11" broad jump.
Shilo Sanders Limited: Safety Shilo Sanders, another son of coach Deion Sanders, participated but skipped some drills (bench press, vertical jump) citing a sore shoulder.
Why this matters: With the 2025 NFL Draft landscape taking shape, this pro day offered a key evaluation point – or a deliberate lack thereof from Hunter – for potential franchise cornerstones. Sanders' performance and Hunter's decision significantly impact how teams with top picks approach their draft boards.
In-Depth Analysis
Colorado's Pro Day became a focal point of the early 2025 NFL Draft process, primarily due to the intrigue surrounding Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders.
Hunter Relies on Tape:
Travis Hunter's decision to forgo workouts continues a trend for the electrifying two-way player. Having already won the Heisman Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Fred Biletnikoff Award following a stellar season (96 catches, 1,258 yards, 15 TDs; 35 tackles, 4 INTs on defense), Hunter appears confident that his game film speaks for itself. Teams drafting high, like the Titans (1st pick), Browns (2nd), and Giants (3rd), will base their evaluation largely on his dominant collegiate performances and combine interviews. Some reports suggested he might run routes, but his general plan was non-participation in athletic testing.
Sanders Under the Microscope:
Unlike Hunter, Shedeur Sanders took the field to throw. After skipping combine workouts, this session was critical for scouts. Analysts like ESPN's Dan Orlovsky have called Sanders "the hardest quarterback I’ve had to evaluate," citing Colorado's offensive scheme (many short throws) and protection issues obscuring a clear picture of his pro potential. His pro day throws, along with upcoming private sessions with the Titans and Browns, will be heavily analyzed as teams weigh his potential against other top QB prospects.
Spotlight on Other Buffs:
Beyond the headliners, the event provided a platform for other Colorado prospects. Will Sheppard significantly boosted his profile with combine-level testing numbers, potentially earning him a shot as an undrafted free agent or late-round pick. Safety Shilo Sanders, considered a fringe prospect, aimed to impress but was limited by a shoulder issue. His performance, particularly if he achieves his goal of a 4.4s 40-yard dash in later workouts, could influence his draft standing.
FAQs
Q: Why would a top prospect like Travis Hunter skip pro day workouts?
A: Highly-rated prospects sometimes rely on their extensive game footage and combine interviews, choosing to avoid the injury risk or the possibility of a performance that doesn't meet expectations during specific drills.
Q: What makes evaluating Shedeur Sanders challenging?
A: Due to factors like Colorado's offensive line struggles and a high volume of short passes in their scheme, scouts find it difficult to gauge his performance on plays more typical of NFL quarterback expectations based solely on college tape. His pro day and private workouts offer more controlled evaluation opportunities.
Q: How significant was the NFL turnout?
A: Extremely significant. The presence of GMs, head coaches, and even an owner from the teams holding the top three draft picks underscores the high regard in which Hunter and Sanders are held as potential franchise-altering talents.
Key Takeaways
Travis Hunter's draft position will depend heavily on teams' confidence in his game film, as he's providing limited workout data.
Shedeur Sanders' draft stock is more fluid and will be significantly influenced by his pro day performance and upcoming private workouts.
The intense NFL focus on Colorado highlights the program's resurgence under Deion Sanders and its production of elite talent.
Pro days remain crucial opportunities for players outside the top tier, like Will Sheppard, to impress scouts and improve their draft chances.
Discussion
How much weight should NFL teams give to pro day workouts versus game tape for top prospects like Hunter and Sanders? Do you think Hunter's strategy will pay off? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Sources & References
Source 1: Travis Hunter skipping workouts during Colorado Showcase - ESPN target="_blank"
Source 2: Titans, Browns, Giants well represented at Colorado’s Pro Day - NBC Sports target="_blank"
Source 3: Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter NFL draft pro day live updates, results - USA TODAY target="_blank"
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