After Shedeur Sanders fell out of the primary spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, some have been shocked – however most weren’t shocked – to suppose the Colorado quarterback may find yourself a second-round choose. Nonetheless, as Day 2 of the draft wore on, Sanders was handed over many times, and the conclusion finally set in that his slide would not finish Friday night time.

In complete, three quarterbacks — Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel — have been chosen in Rounds 2-3 with Sanders nonetheless ready to listen to his title referred to as because the draft strikes on to Day 3 on Saturday. That sparked hypothesis about whether or not Sanders’ camp had begun telling groups to not draft him, as even probably the most vital evaluators would have anticipated a group to take a third-round flyer on him.

Among the many questions raised was whether or not Sanders may return to school soccer for yet another season at Colorado, as he nonetheless had a yr of eligibility earlier than declaring for the draft. The quick reply: no. As soon as a participant declares for the NFL Draft, they forfeit the rest of their school eligibility, in keeping with the NFL’s Faculty Advisory Committee). 

Taking part within the Draft signifies that an underclassman loses his remaining eligibility: If he’s not chosen by an NFL group, he will be unable to play one other school season and he will be unable to enhance his draft standing for the next yr’s draft.

Now, there’s nothing contributors in collegiate athletics love greater than going to courtroom, so maybe Sanders may sue to attempt to regain his eligibility. We have seen underclassmen sue for the suitable to go away college early — Ohio State’s Maurice Clarett, for instance — however by no means to return to school soccer. Wanting that, his school profession is over, whether or not he will get drafted or not.

Past the authorized impossibility, Sanders’ slide would not really feel just like the sort of factor one other yr of tape would repair. Falling from the primary spherical to Day 2 was justifiable primarily based on football-related considerations, however as soon as he dropped outdoors the highest 102 picks, it is turning into clear there was extra to the story. His slide appears much less about on-field efficiency and extra about groups not wanting handy him the keys to their franchise for different causes.

And if he did return, Colorado must unretire his jersey.

That might be a bit awkward.