Shedeur Sanders Took NFL Step Backward vs. No. 68 Baylor

All anyone will remember from the Colorado and Baylor game will be Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders throwing the last second touchdown pass that put his team in position to tie the game as time expired. From there, Colorado won the game in overtime 38-31.

It was all over social media.

The quarterback won an epic college football game that’s we’ll all look back at.

It was like Devine intervention. That’s why that kind of last second desperate throwing attempt is referred to as a “Hail Mary,” pass in football.

Don’t get me wrong ⎯the win was incredible and that pass was ‘must see tv.’ However, I don’t watch these games as a fan. I watch and study these games as an NFL Draft evaluator.

WATCH FULL GAME HERE

First half inconsistencies for Sanders

Sanders got off to a hot start, but then things went off the rails a bit.

I noticed that things started going sideways for Sanders when Baylor was up 24-10. The more Colorado started falling behind and the more Baylor started hitting him, he reverted back to some of my complaints about him over the past couple of seasons at Jackson State and at Colorado. He started going into his shell.

What did he did do?

• Locked in more with his receivers and didn’t going through his progressions as much.
• Held the ball longer at times.
• Became more inaccurate and his ball placement suffered.

Two of his biggest improvements in 2024 had been improvements going through his progressions more and better overall ball placement, but this game was a reminder that when the heat gets turned up, whether it be on the scoreboard or from pass rushers that move him off his spot and force him to move around, his accuracy declines.

I also didn’t like his body language as much in this game when things weren’t going right. He put his head down and looked visibly frustrated (borderline indignant like he’s tired of putting up with setbacks that happen).

Ball security issues for Sanders

• 6 pass breakups (PBUs) vs. Baylor (that I charted)

That’s a lot.

That’s also an NFL sized concern.

As his accuracy went ⎯the PBUs reared their ugly head.

I have been complimentary of Sanders overall ball placement in 2024, which is a big deal in the NFL, but this game reminded me this is still an ongoing issue. This is one of those hidden things that show up when someone watches the full game and not just a highlight or two.

What was there to like about Sanders?

Sanders was resilient and had enough to him to bring his team back from behind. No matter what the scoreboard said he kept fighting back. That’s why his team was in position to tie and eventually win the game.

Great quality.

I liked his behind the line of scrimmage mobility and escapism he showed under pressure. Point blank ⎯Sanders looks average running the football and he takes what defenses give him with his ordinary football speed and lack of elusiveness. Nothing more. However, behind the line of scrimmage he has some Houdini to him. Nobody would know it because Sanders was sacked eight times in this game, but that sack total could have been higher.

Sanders also continued to equally work all three levels of the field passing (short, intermediate and deep), which is important in the NFL.

He also didn’t have any more known (or seen) character issues during or after the game.

NFL take away

Colorado barely beat No. 68 Baylor.

✅ Got to keep the level of competition in mind when evaluating college prospects.

Sanders was tough and poised in this one. I liked that. He also continued to keep his eyes downfield under pressure, which is a continued ongoing improvement in 2024.

I appreciate the fact he came back in the second half and his team won, that counts. However, I can’t get past how he looked like a different guy in the first half when the game started slipping away and he started getting hit a lot.

The NFL is all about quarterbacks who can go through their progressions, precision downfield ball placement and ball security. It’s about quick decision making. It’s about maturity and leadership at the quarterback position.

Sanders showed inconsistencies in all these areas against Baylor.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.