The predictions of where Shedeur Sanders will land in the 2025 NFL draft are all over the place.
The Colorado Buffaloes quarterback and son of former NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has watched his name jump all over draft prediction boards.
Some sports analysts predict the 23-year-old will get scooped up by the New York Giants with the third overall pick, while others think he'll be selected seventh by the Jets, ninth by the Saints, or as low as 21st by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While that answer could be revealed tonight when the NFL draft kicks off at 8 pm EST, Shedeur has left a fiery message on his Instagram Stories for his naysayers to simmer on.
He included a video highlight reel in the post and the caption, "The Rejected will be Respected."
The video started with the Colorado quarterback standing in a garage full of luxury vehicles wearing a sweatshirt with a money symbol on the back and a squared symbol above it.
It then progressed into a highlight reel showcasing several short clips, including one of himself walking onto the football field alongside his brother and father and another of him completing an impressive pass to a wide receiver in the end zone.
The video ended with the college athlete standing on the side of the road looking over a mountain.
The Colorado quarterback received tons of supportive messages on the post ahead of Thursday night's NFL draft.
"I love how composed he is. You can tell he has put in a lot of work and that work ethic is top tier," one person commented.
"Same ones hating gonna be the same ones praising you #legendary," someone else wrote.
"He's already rich already has a PRO lifestyle so the money and fame won’t change him. He’s been dealing with Cameras and Media since he was in the womb!!! He’s a gamer, can deal with bad lines, bad hits and sacks! He’s a Gamer!! Not saying he will be a HOF QB, but his Work Ethic and commitment to being great will be HOF EFFORT and that’s half the battle! I am rooting for Sheduer no matter where he goes," another person said.
"Prove em wrong 2," someone else commented.
"I doubted you as a passer in HS. Thought maybe it was the system with popz being yo coach. But over the past 4 years, I’ve definitely seen your growth! From Jackson to Colorado. I’m routing for ya! You’re definitely HIM," another person said.
Shedeur Sanders is one of the 2025 NFL draft's most polarizing prospects
There's no question that Shedeur had brought some intrigue to the 2025 NFL draft. He's been one of the most talked about names ahead of Thursday's event.
The collegiate standout had a unique benefit that many of the other draft picks lack: growing up as the son of one of the most high-profile NFL players of all time.
Many people have been impressed with 23-year-old's performance on the field during his time at Colorado, however others have criticized his attitude and think it could effect NFL teams' decision to draft him.
One NFL scouting director has suggested that Shedeur will have a rude awakening when he gets to the NFL.
"When you hear all the anecdotal stories about the person, it's not that he's a bad kid. He has been so insulated. It's going to be a culture shock when he really learns how a locker room really operates and how it really works inside a building," the scout said, according to NFL.com.
"He's had so much input on the offensive game plan and who the coach is, and everything's been catered to him. When you walk in one of these (NFL) buildings, no one's going to give a s--- about that. No one cares who your dad is. You're going to have to end up fighting through some adversity," they added.
Another NFL coach told the same outlet that Shedeur was "the worst formal interview I've ever been in in my life."
"He's so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates," the anonymous NFL coach said. "But the biggest thing is, he's not that good."
Shedeur isn't letting any of the negative opinions discourage him, though.
He's spent his entire life chasing his dream to play in the NFL and seems determined to leave a mark, just like his father did.
"I truly don't have any space for negativity, so it doesn't play a factor in my life at all," Shedeur said, in an interview with "NBC News" in April.
"I understand the easiest thing in the world to do is to be negative instead of positive. I truly don't care what people have to say."
The 23-year-old also made a good point when he told the outlet that his behavior off the field has been focused and clean.
"I wouldn't change a thing, because this adds to the story. People hating on a kid for no reason. I don't get in trouble off the field," he said. "So you understand what it's really about."
