INDIANAPOLIS – Shedeur Sanders believes he is a franchise-changing quarterback.
Not only is he confident in his on-field abilities, but he's also certain he can enhance the culture of an organization. He noted how the culture improved during his time at Jackson State University and Colorado.
"I'm able to adjust to any offense and every scheme and make it work. We went from Jackson State to Colorado and changed two programs back-to-back. So, you don't think I could come to the NFL franchise and change the program again?" Sanders said. "History repeats itself over and over and over and I've done it over and over and over."
Sanders is projected as one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and is considered one of top two quarterbacks in the draft class. Yet, he believes he's the top quarterback in his class.
He finished his collegiate career at Colorado, starting two seasons for the Buffaloes. In two years, he completed 651 of 907 passing attempts for 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Sanders also set an all-time career FBS record with his career completion percentage at 71.8.
And while he put up numbers during his collegiate career, Sanders said he is most proud of the mental aspect of his game, which helps him with his leadership.
"I'd say being a leader, that's my best trait overall, because everything's mental," Sanders said. "So, if I play my game from the neck up, I got to be able to adjust to my players, to have them have related ability for them to get to know me, for us to make everything smooth."
NFL quarterback prospects speak at their media availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe, Alabama, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Will Howard, Ohio State, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Will Howard, Ohio State, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Will Howard, Ohio State, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
Quarterback Cam Ward, Miami, speaks to the media during his availability at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2025.
While Sanders is not throwing at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, he has been meeting with teams around the league. One of the teams Sanders met with was the Browns during the week of meetings.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said they also spent time with Sanders at the East-West Shrine Bowl, using these two opportunities to learn more about Sanders as a prospect.
"He's a fantastic individual," Berry said. "Really smart, really driven. Grew up around football and was highly successful. So, it's been a pleasure to spend time with him, looking forward to spending more over the next several weeks. But there's still a long way to go with everything and we'll work through that as appropriate."
Stefanski echoed Berry's sentiments about Sanders, and added not only was he impressed by Sanders on field tape, but also who he is as a person. Stefanski said Sanders has a useful resource in his father, Deion Sanders, as well as Colorado's offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to help prepare him for the NFL.
"I think he certainly has a great resource in his dad to understand what it takes to be a great pro," Stefanski said. "He played for Pat Shurmur at Colorado – Pat being a long time NFL coach – so he understands that as well. I think he's taking advantage of those people close to him."
Sanders highlighted how the coaching staff at Colorado was filled with NFL experience, providing him opportunities to hear their perspectives on areas of his game he could improve. He learned year over year different aspects he could adjust and how he could fix his mistakes that he saw on tape.
And he knows the importance of fixing those elements of his game to take him to the next level in the NFL.
"I've got to find myself early," Sanders said. "I've got to get ready mentally early because I know early on, some games I wasn't taking the completions coach was calling. Sometimes I was trying to make too much happen. So, that just comes from a mindset of do or die mentality, to where you're going to succeed and not succeed. And sometimes I got caught up playing hero ball, but I understand where I messed up and now, I'm going to fix it at the next level."
Check out behind the scenes photos of Browns coaches and executives watching combine workouts
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Senior Executive Advisor to the GM Jimmy Raye III in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
National Scout Chris Buford in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
General Manager Andrew Berry in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Director of Pro Scouting Adam Al-Khayyal in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Director of Player Personnel Dan Saganey in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
A stopwatch in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Personnel Operations Director Megan Rock in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Director of College Scouting Max Paulus in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
General Manager Andrew Berry in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Advisor to the General Manager Chris Polian in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Director of College Scouting Max Paulus and Area Scout Josh Lucas in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Area Scout Josh Lucas in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Senior Executive Advisor to the GM Jimmy Raye III in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Adam Morris in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Director of College Scouting Max Paulus in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Director of Football Operations & Process Joy Tapajcik in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Scouting/Personnel Assessment & Development Kathleen Wood in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Football Research Analyst Austin Grosel in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
General Manager Andrew Berry in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Vice President of Player Personnel Process and Development Ken Kovash in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
National Scout Chris Buford in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Vice President of Player Personnel Process and Development Ken Kovash in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Adam Morris in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Director of Player Personnel Dan Saganey in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
Player Development Coordinator Anthony Fabiano in the Cleveland Browns suite at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 27, 2025.
