You can never say that Shedul Sanders lacks confidence.
Hours before what is likely the final game of his college career at the Alamo Bowl, the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback unveiled custom cleats with New York Giants logos and colors. The New York Giants happen to be the current owners of the No. 1 college pick. 2025 NFL Draft.
But for some reason, Sanders took to the field at the Alamodome wearing black cleats instead of a pair of Giants. The message was still being sent: “We know where we’re going.”
Unfortunately, BYU spent most of Saturday’s game trying to figure out where Sanders would end up. The Cougars defeated the Buffaloes 36-14, with Sanders completing 16-of-23 for 208 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and nine “attempts” for minus-34 rushing yards (no sacks). (The number was more than 2 or 3 times.)
The Sanders family has made it pretty clear that they expect Schedul to be drafted next year. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said bluntly, “The Giants aren’t going to give up that pick…Shedour will be the No. 1 pick.” He has also said in the past that Schedule intends to take Eli Manning in the draft (i.e., force the team that drafted him to trade him by refusing to play there).
Whether the Giants are willing to do that or even acquire that pick is another story. They currently hold the top pick with an NFL-worst 2-13 record, with five other teams right behind them with three wins and two games remaining.
Sanders is by no means the absolute top quarterback in a relatively weak class, or even the consensus best quarterback in his class. In Yahoo Sports’ latest mock draft, the Giants select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick, while Sanders falls back to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6. That doesn’t rule out the possibility that he knows something we don’t know through some back channel, but he’ll still have a lot to prove in the eyes of the NFL.
Meanwhile, one Colorado player who had some custom cleats made and actually wore them during the Alamo Bowl was Travis Hunter. He had Heisman shoes made to commemorate his recent victory.
Hunter is also a potential No. 1 pick, but that likely depends on which team has the pick. Hunter, an unprecedented two-way talent, is considered by many to be a top prospect in this year’s draft.
