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IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (4/28/25)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

The NFL draft was this past weekend.  As always, there were surprises, but none as big as Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders.

He was not taken until the 144th pick (5th round) and all of the television analysts were searching for the reasons "why" a talented player like Sanders (who was projected to be drafted in the 1st round) could slide down that far.

Based on what I have read and researched, it was the intangibles that cost him a higher draft position.  He chose not to participate at the NFL combine and was broadly described as unprepared and unimpressive in his interviews with the pro scouts and their teams.  His talent may have been equal, but how he carried himself and projected himself as a team player may have been his downfall.  

Like every other college football player whose name was called during the draft, Sanders was excited to hear his name called and be drafted. Maybe he was humbled and realized why some things didn't fall in place.  In the end, it doesn't matter when he was drafted, he has the same opportunity as every other player that was selected. Time will tell how the final story will end!

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