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Deion Sanders Touts Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter as Top NFL Draft Picks After Impressive CU Pro Day

about 1 year agoUS
Deion Sanders Touts Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter as Top NFL Draft Picks After Impressive CU Pro DaySource: espn.com
The University of Colorado's recent pro day, dubbed the "We Ain't Hard 2 Find Showcase," drew significant attention from the NFL, with all 32 teams represented. The main attractions were quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way phenom Travis Hunter, both potential high picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Head Coach Deion Sanders made bold claims about his stars following their performances.

Key Insights

Coach Prime's Endorsement: Deion Sanders emphatically stated that Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter "should be going 1-2" in the draft, calling them the "two best players" and "surest bets."

Shedeur Sanders' Showing: The quarterback participated in an extensive throwing session, showcasing his trademark accuracy (career 71.8% FBS completion rate). He aimed to quell doubts about his arm strength, particularly on deep throws, and largely succeeded, though some wobble was noted on outside passes. He also ran a mock two-minute drill.

Travis Hunter's Focus: The Heisman Trophy winner ran routes exclusively as a wide receiver, displaying elite agility and reliable hands (catching without gloves). He did not participate in defensive back drills, perhaps signaling a preference or highlighting his offensive potential for scouts.

Major NFL Interest: The presence of all 32 NFL teams, including key figures like Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and coach Kevin Stefanski, and Broncos coach Sean Payton, underscored the high stakes and interest in CU's top prospects. Both Sanders and Hunter met with the Browns contingent.

Why this matters: This showcase provided a crucial platform for Sanders and Hunter to solidify their high draft stock directly in front of NFL decision-makers. It also significantly boosts the Colorado football program's visibility and recruiting appeal under Coach Prime's leadership, positioning it as a direct pipeline to the pros.

In-Depth Analysis

The atmosphere in Boulder was described as electric, more akin to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis than a typical college pro day, complete with media presence and a highly structured program. This event signifies the transformation under Deion Sanders, who is building the CU program with an NFL-like structure, including high-profile staff like Warren Sapp and potentially Byron Leftwich.

Shedeur Sanders' nearly hour-long throwing session included various drops and routes. While analysts noted his throws weren't always as zippy as other top QB prospects like Cam Ward, his accuracy and improved deep ball consistency were evident. He completed most of his 60+ passes, showing good touch and placement, especially on vertical routes between the numbers. Despite expressing confidence in being the #1 QB, he emphasized fitting the right "situation."

Travis Hunter, the unique two-way star who won both top defensive player (Bednarik) and top receiver (Biletnikoff) awards alongside the Heisman, chose to focus solely on receiver drills. His fluid movements, quickness, and ability to catch passes outside his frame were clear strengths. While he aims to play both ways in the NFL, this performance strongly showcased his potential impact as an offensive weapon. His 2024 season stats (96 catches, 1,258 yards, 15 TDs; 35 tackles, 4 INTs) highlight his rare versatility.

The success of the pro day reinforces Deion Sanders' strategy of bringing NFL attention directly to Boulder, potentially reversing a trend where CU saw fewer draft picks in recent years compared to its earlier gridiron success.

FAQs

Q: Are Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter guaranteed top picks?

A: While highly touted by their coach and analysts (Hunter is Mel Kiper Jr.'s #1, Sanders highly ranked), draft position depends on team needs and final evaluations across the league. Deion Sanders firmly believes they *should* be the first two picks.

Q: Will Travis Hunter play offense or defense in the NFL?

A: Hunter expresses a desire to play both full-time. His pro day focused on receiving, but his defensive accolades are undeniable. His primary role will likely be determined by the team that drafts him and their specific needs.

Q: Which NFL teams showed the most interest?

A: All 32 teams attended. The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, holding the #2 and #3 picks respectively, had significant representation and held meetings with both Sanders and Hunter, indicating strong interest.

Key Takeaways

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter presented strong cases for being among the very first players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The high-profile pro day confirms Deion Sanders is successfully building Colorado into a major hub for NFL talent evaluation.

Keep an eye on teams drafting early, particularly the Browns and Giants, as potential landing spots for these two stars.

Scouts now have fresh, direct performance data to factor into their final draft grades for Sanders and Hunter.

Discussion

Do you think Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will be the top two picks in the NFL Draft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Sources & References

Denver Post: Keeler: Deion Sanders brought NFL back to Boulder... target="_blank" (Note: Specific URL inferred from article text)

NFL.com: 2025 NFL Draft: Biggest Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders takeaways... target="_blank" (Note: Specific URL inferred from article text)

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