The Browns selected QB Shedeur Sanders with the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Here are five things to know about Cleveland's newest quarterback addition.
He is a polished passer
Sanders maintained a solid completion percentage and excelled at limiting turnovers during every season of his college career. He left Colorado with a 70.1 percent completion percentage, 134 touchdowns and 27 interceptions, and his 74.1% completion percentage in 2024 led all FBS pass throwers.
He's done well before in fresh beginnings
Sanders has made an immediate impact at new levels of his career his whole life, dating back to his freshman year at Trinity Christian High School in Texas. With his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders, as the offensive coordinator when he led his school to a 12-1 finish and a Division II Championship.
In college, Sanders discovered instant success at Jackson State as a freshman after he became the named the highest-ranked recruit in school history. Jackson State won the SWAC Championship in both his first and second seasons, which led him to another new start at Colorado for his final two years of college.
With the Buffaloes, Sanders earned Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year honors after completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
Take a look back at Shedeur Sanders' football career from his days in college to becoming the Cleveland Browns' 2025 first-round draft pick.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) is shown during the first half of the Cricket Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game against the South Carolina State Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks at an NCAA college football Pac-12 media day Friday, July 21, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Lucas Peltier)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders carries the ball during the half of the Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina Central, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr. )
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) sets up to pass against Southern University during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Jackson State won 35-0. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) runs during the second half of the Orange Blossom Classic NCAA college football game, Sunday against Florida A&M, Sept. 4, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Jackson State won 59-3. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) scrambles with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Jackson State won 22-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) looks for running room as Florida A&M defensive lineman Stanley Mentor (98) follows on the play in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders prays before an NCAA college football game against North Dakota State Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, left, throws a pass as Colorado State linebacker Chase Wilson pursues in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) passes the ball against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2), son of Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders, throws during an NCAA football game against Louisiana Monroe on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Monroe, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) is pursued by Stanford linebacker Spencer Jorgensen (10) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, right, gestures to the crowd after scoring a touchdown as Colorado offensive lineman Camden Dempsey, front left, and guard Jack Bailey look on in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) smiles after completing a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Jackson State won 22-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during the first half of an NCAA spring college football game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) stands back to pass during the first half of the Orange Blossom Classic NCAA college football game against Florida A&M, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, right, runs for a short gain as Nebraska defensive lineman Kai Wallin pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado wideout Travis Hunter, left, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders pose for a photograph before the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders attempts a pass during the first half of the Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina Central Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr. )
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) embraces wide receivers Xavier Weaver (10) and Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
FILE - Then-Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders, left, and his son then-Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders sing the school's alma mater after the Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina Central, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Atlanta. Deion Sanders is now head coach at Colorado and Shedeur Sanders now plays for Colorado. Colorado opens their season at TCU on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr., File)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Liberty guard Jaylyn Sherrod (0) poses for a photo with Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders after playing in a WNBA basketball semifinal game against Las Vegas Aces, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders prepares to call a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, right, runs for a short gain as Utah linebacker Karene Reid makes the tackle in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado's quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) prepares to throw the ball against Texas Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) eludes Kansas State defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi (44) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders talks to quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) heads to the field before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) scrambles for yardage against Central Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Travis Hunter, left, and Shedeur Sanders, right, react after their jersey retirements during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) takes part in passing drills during Colorado's NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Shedeur Sanders looks on at his jersey retirement ceremony during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Shedeur Sanders looks on at his jersey retirement ceremony during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) takes part in passing drills during Colorado's NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado State's Shedeur Sanders interviews with NFL Network during the Big 12 Conference's NFL football pro day Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shedeur Sanders, Deion Sanders, and Shilo Sanders, of University of Colorado, on the red carpet before the NFL Honors award show ahead of the Super Bowl 59 football game, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in New Orleans. (Jeff Lewis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (QB13) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
West's Shedeur Sanders, who did not play, talks with others on the sideline in the second half of the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) gestures after throwing a touchdown pass as offensive lineman Justin Mayers (66) looks on in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
FILE - Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) throws a pass against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
FILE - Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, left, talks with quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) looks to throw against BYU during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) reacts in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
He'll be in a thick QB competition
Sanders was the fourth quarterback the Browns have added to the QB room this offseason and the second rookie, joining Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel in Cleveland' 2025 draft class. The Browns will have a competition this offseason to find out who will be the Week 1 starter among Sanders and Gabriel as well as Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, who were each added in free agency.
He celebrated his draft call with a splash
Sanders' wait in the draft concluded with a phone call from Browns Executive Vice President and General Manager Andrew Berry—as well as a dip into the pool.
Several moments after Sanders' call have gone viral, including his splashy celebration.
The Browns are confident he can outperform his draft position
Sanders entered the draft with some of the best grades of all quarterback prospects and was widely expected to land as a Round 1 or Round 2 pick. Berry saw an opportunity to grab Sanders' talents at an extreme discount when he was still on the board in Round 5, so he traded the Browns' remaining Day 3 picks with the Seahawks to land Sanders at No. 144 overall.
"We felt like he was a good, solid prospect at the most important position," Berry said. "We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft. Really, the acquisition cost was pretty light, and it's a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot."
Not many Round 5 quarterbacks have the opportunity Sanders does in the Browns QB room, but regardless of when he takes his first snaps under center, Cleveland feels confident it got a good deal with Sanders on Day 3.
