In a move that has captured the attention of the NFL world, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is slated to start for the Cleveland Browns in their first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers this Friday.
The fifth-round draft pick will get an early opportunity to showcase his talents under the bright lights of the professional stage.
The decision to start Sanders comes as the Browns’ quarterback room deals with a string of injuries. With projected starter Joe Flacco being rested and both Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel sidelined with hamstring issues, the door has swung open for the former Jackson State and Colorado standout.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced the decision, emphasizing the opportunity it presents for the young signal-caller. While Sanders has primarily taken reps with the third-team offense during training camp, this start will see him leading the second-team unit against the Panthers’ first-team defense, a significant step up in competition.
The news has been met with a mix of excitement and debate. Supporters are eager to see the highly-touted prospect whose known for his accuracy and poise in the pocket. Since his collegiate career, this will be his first snaps as a professional starter.
Critics, however, have voiced concerns that Sanders is being “set up to fail.” They cite Sanders being thrown into the fire without significant practice time with the starting offensive line.
A Tale of Two Programs: Shedeur Sanders’ Historic Collegiate Career
Shedeur Sanders carved out a remarkable and record-breaking path through college football. He left an indelible mark on two different programs and established himself as one of college football’s most prolific quarterbacks.
His collegiate journey was a tale of elevating a historically black college or university (HBCU) to national prominence and then rewriting the record books at a Power Five school.
Sanders began his career at Jackson State University, where he immediately became a transformative figure. In his two seasons with the Tigers, he led the team to a stellar 23-3 record. It included a perfect 16-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play, and two SWAC championships.
Additionally, as a freshman, he threw for 3,231 yards and 30 touchdowns. It earned him the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the FCS—the first player from an HBCU to win the prestigious honor. His sophomore campaign was even more impressive. He amassed 3,732 passing yards and 40 touchdowns, securing the Deacon Jones Trophy as the best player at an HBCU.
Sanders was legendary in college
Following his father and coach, Deion Sanders, to the University of Colorado, Shedeur stepped onto a bigger stage.
In his debut for the Buffaloes, he announced his arrival with a school-record 510 passing yards in a thrilling victory over TCU. Over two seasons in Boulder, Sanders broke over 100 school records.
Moreover, he finished his Colorado tenure with 7,364 passing yards and 64 touchdowns. It included a senior season where he threw for 4,134 yards and 37 scores. In the process, he earned the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Across his four years and 50 games at both institutions, Sanders’ statistics are staggering. He concluded his college career with 14,327 passing yards and 134 touchdowns against just 27 interceptions. He also completed over 70% of his passes.
Furthermore, his exceptional play not only brought victories and championships but also a national spotlight to his teams. His on-field mastery solidified his legacy as a dynamic and historically significant college quarterback.
Regardless of the external commentary, the preseason opportunity for Sanders is undeniable. A strong performance against a starting NFL defense could quickly change the narrative surrounding his draft position and accelerate his development in the eyes of the coaching staff.
The Friday night game will offer the first glimpse of what Shedeur Sanders can do at the highest level of football.
