* From a Buff fan’s perspective
Here at BuffsBlog, we’ve never claimed to be objective. We aim for smart analysis, but let’s be real—it’s always through silver and gold lenses.
So, naturally, I was scrolling through headlines about Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock this weekend when something stopped me in my tracks. One commentator actually said he’d take Louisville’s Tyler Shough over Sanders. TYLER. FRIGGIN. SHOUGH.
Now, I don’t know Tyler personally—he’s probably a great guy—but Tyler Shough over Shedeur Sanders? Come on.
And that got me thinking: If Shedeur weren’t Shedeur Sanders—if he were just Shedeur Smith and judged solely on his performance—what would his draft stock look like?
Then it hit me. It would look exactly like Cam Ward’s.
Stock Drops and Media Narratives
Right now, Cam Ward is -220 to go first overall, up from -140 just a week ago. Meanwhile, Sanders’ odds have dropped from +900 to +1300. Some of that is just the usual draft-cycle movement, but let’s not pretend the negative media spin isn’t playing a role.
Case in point: On Scott Van Pelt’s March 3rd SVPod, Stanford Steve— a BuffsBlog favorite—compared Deion Sanders’ involvement in Shedeur’s draft process to Jack Elway with John Elway and Archie Manning with Eli Manning. But that comparison feels off. Nobody accused Jack or Archie of meddling; back then, they were just looking out for their sons.
So why is Prime’s involvement suddenly a negative? Maybe it’s the idea that Deion carefully built the perfect environment for Shedeur to thrive, leading skeptics to wonder if he’s a “turtle on a fencepost” (i.e., someone put him there). But if you’re drafting a quarterback in the first round, shouldn’t you be doing everything possible to make sure he succeeds? And if it’s about the music, the cars, the flash—well, that worked out just fine for his dad.
Beyond Prime’s influence, the media seems dead set on pushing the idea that Shedeur’s “arrogance” is hurting his draft stock. But plenty of current and former players—Keyshawn Johnson, LeSean McCoy, and Mark Schlereth, to name a few—aren’t buying it. Keyshawn put it best:
“You get these coaches that are not accustomed to dealing with, or having these conversations with individuals at this position that have a certain snap, crackle, pop to them. They don’t walk and talk like the quarterback position. That’s the only thing they’ve ever coached.”
“And he’s smiling and being himself. They’re not used to that. They want him to be something that he’s not.”
Physical Traits – How Do They Stack Up?
Both Sanders and Ward are top QB prospects with similar builds. Sanders is slightly taller, Ward a little heavier. Ward’s 40-yard dash shows he’s got decent speed, but since Sanders didn’t run, we don’t have a direct comparison.
Shedeur Sanders:
-Height: 6’2″
-Weight: 215 lbs
-Hand Size: TBD
-40-Yard Dash: TBD
Cam Ward:
-Height: 6’1 5/8″
-Weight: 219 lbs
-Hand Size: 9 inches
– 40-Yard Dash: 4.87 seconds
Numbers Don’t Lie – But Narratives Do
Statistically, Sanders and Ward had nearly identical 2024 seasons. Sanders had a slightly higher completion percentage, while Ward led in yards and touchdowns:
Shedeur Sanders (Colorado, 2024 Season):
- Passing Yards: 4,134
- Touchdowns: 37
- Interceptions: 10
- Completion Percentage: 74.0%
- Quarterback Rating (QBR): 168.2
Career Highlights:
- Broke Colorado’s single-season passing yards record
- Set a program-best 74.0% completion rate
- Named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year
- Won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Cam Ward (Miami, 2024 Season):
- Passing Yards: 4,313
- Touchdowns: 39
- Interceptions: 7
- Completion Percentage: 67.2%
- Quarterback Rating (QBR): 172.2
Career Highlights:
- Set Miami’s single-season passing yards record
- Holds the Division I career TD record (178 TDs)
- Named ACC Player of the Year
- Finished fourth in Heisman voting
The Price of a Famous Last Name
Shedeur Sanders isn’t just a quarterback—he’s a brand. That means he’s under the microscope way more than someone like Ward. Every move he makes, from skipping the Senior Bowl to his Combine interviews, gets picked apart. Reports from the NFL Combine claim some teams weren’t thrilled with Sanders’ interviews, calling him ‘brash’ or ‘arrogant.’ But not everyone’s buying that. NFL insider Josina Anderson quickly dismissed those reports as overblown.
Meanwhile, Ward has been able to fly under the radar. He’s talented, but he doesn’t have the same media circus around him, so he’s been able to quietly handle the pre-draft process. Playing only one half of his team’s bowl game? No problem.
Social Media: The Ultimate Hype Machine
Another factor? Social media. Sanders has a massive following, so every little thing he does becomes meme-worthy. Case in point: he reportedly lost access to a phone number teams were using to contact him. A minor mistake, but social media turned it into a full-blown debate about his professionalism.
Ward, on the other hand, isn’t as big of a name online. With fewer viral moments and social media debates surrounding him, he’s been able to avoid the kind of nitpicking Sanders deals with daily.
The Double Standard in Scouting
It’s hard to ignore how differently Sanders and Ward are judged. When Ward shows confidence, he’s a competitor. When Sanders does it, he’s cocky.
Some analysts argue that this is just how the NFL works—big personalities get more pushback. But for this CU fan, it’s frustrating to watch our guy get picked apart for the same traits that make him great.
Final Takeaway: Shedeur’s Time is Coming
Despite the media noise, Shedeur Sanders is still one of the best quarterbacks in this draft class. Buffs fans know what he can do—he doesn’t need validation from talking heads. If anything, he thrives under pressure.
The media can keep spinning their narratives, but come draft day, Shedeur Sanders will be ready. I’m not sure you can say the same for Tyler Shough.