Deion Sanders: Shedeur, Travis Hunter Won’t Play for Certain Teams in 2025 NFL Draft

Andrew PetersMarch 24, 2024

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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said there are certain teams his stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter won’t play for.

Making an appearance on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, Sanders said that he believes both players will go within the top four of next year’s NFL draft, but depending on where they land, they could refuse to play.

“All this is subjective because I know where I kind of want them to go,” Sanders said (58:55 mark). “And let’s not forget Shilo (Sanders). But I know where I want them to go. There’s certain cities where it ain’t going to happen. …It’s going to be an Eli [Manning].”

Last season, Shedeur had 3,230 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Hunter, the two-way star for the Buffaloes, had 23 tackles and three interceptions as a cornerback while also collecting 721 receiving yards and five touchdowns as a wideout.

Sanders compared the two players’ situation to Eli Manning, who infamously refused to play for the San Diego Chargers, who selected him first overall in 2004, and was traded to the New York Giants.

If Shedeur and Hunter get drafted to the wrong team, it seems there could be another bizarre situation in the 2025 NFL draft.

Sanders hasn’t named any specific teams that he doesn’t want his players playing for, but he previously mentioned that he doesn’t want Shedeur playing in a cold location.

“Like, I don’t want my kid going nowhere cold next year,” Sanders said. “He grew up in Texas. He played in Jackson, played in Colorado. Season’s over before it gets cold in Colorado. I’m just thinking way ahead. I don’t want that for him.”

While Shedeur ultimately decided to return to Colorado for another season, Sanders claimed that he would’ve been “a high draft pick” in the 2024 NFL draft.

“Shedeur – let’s just get this straight. Let’s get the elephant in the room. Shedeur would have been a high draft pick this year,” Sanders said. “Let’s just stop the foolishness and you get mad when I tell you.”

Shedeur and Hunter certainly have the makings to be NFL draft picks next year, but the two will need to put up big numbers to meet Sanders’ bold claim that they will both go within the top four.

Colorado is coming off a disappointing 4-8 season in Sanders’ first year at the helm. The Buffaloes began the year with three impressive wins, but proceeded to go 1-8 the rest of the way. With Shedeur and Hunter returning, Colorado will be looking to put together a better year this season.