History of Shedeur Sanders in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2026

Shedeur Sanders is a prominent American college football quarterback currently playing for the Colorado Buffaloes. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, he began his collegiate career at Jackson State University, where he achieved significant success and became the first HBCU player to win the Deacon Jones Trophy. Known for his poise, accurate passing, and ability to perform under pressure, Sanders transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023, following his father’s appointment as head coach. He has become a central figure in modern college football, notably gaining immense popularity through his high-profile branding, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, and media presence. As a top NFL prospect, he is recognized for his leadership, high completion percentages, and competitive drive, making him one of the most recognizable and influential athletes in current collegiate athletics.

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Full Timeline

February 7, 2002: Birth of Shedeur Sanders

On February 7, 2002, Shedeur Deion Sanders was born, who would later become a prominent professional football quarterback.

Others born on this day/year

2008: Derek Anderson Pro Bowl Selection

In 2008, Derek Anderson was the last Cleveland Browns quarterback to be selected for the Pro Bowl before Sanders achieved the same milestone in 2026.

2020: Postponement of the 2020 Football Season

Due to the global impact of COVID-19 in 2020, the standard football schedule was disrupted, leading to the delayed and abbreviated spring season that Sanders missed upon his enrollment.

January 2021: Enrollment at Jackson State University

In January 2021, Shedeur Sanders enrolled at Jackson State University; however, he was unable to participate in the spring football season, which had been delayed from its original 2020 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Collegiate Debut and Jerry Rice Award

In 2021, Shedeur Sanders began his college football career playing for the Jackson State Tigers and was honored with the Jerry Rice Award.

2022: Sophomore Season Success and Recognition

During the 2022 season, Shedeur Sanders excelled as a sophomore quarterback, recording 3,732 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. His performance led to him being named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and receiving the Deacon Jones Trophy as the top HBCU player in the nation. Following the 2022 Celebration Bowl, he officially entered the NCAA transfer portal.

2022: Deacon Jones Trophy Win

During the 2022 season, while playing for the Jackson State Tigers, Shedeur Sanders achieved recognition by winning the Deacon Jones Trophy.

2022: Comparison to Tyler Huntley

In 2022, Tyler Huntley was selected for the Pro Bowl, a selection that was referenced in 2026 as a point of comparison when critiquing Sanders' own inclusion on the roster.

2023: Shedeur Sanders 2023 Collegiate Football Season

During the 2023 season, Shedeur Sanders established himself as the primary offensive leader for the Colorado Buffaloes, finishing the year with 3,230 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, and four rushing touchdowns across 11 games. Despite a strong individual performance, he faced setbacks including a back injury that kept him out of the final game against Utah, with the team concluding the season with a 4–8 record.

May 2024: Release of Perfect Timing

In May 2024, Shedeur Sanders expanded his creative portfolio by releasing a hip-hop track titled "Perfect Timing".

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2024: 2024 Collegiate Football Season Success

During the 2024 season, Shedeur Sanders led the Colorado Buffaloes to a 9–4 record, achieved an Alamo Bowl appearance, passed for 4,134 yards with 37 touchdowns, and recorded an NCAA-leading 74% completion percentage, ultimately earning the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year title and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

2024: Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and Golden Arm Award

In 2024, after leading the NCAA in completion percentage while playing for the Colorado Buffaloes, Shedeur Sanders was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and received the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

April 2025: Jersey Retirement Announcement

In April 2025, the University of Colorado officially announced that Shedeur Sanders's jersey number would be retired in a ceremony held prior to the school's spring football game, an honor shared with teammate Travis Hunter.

April 26, 2025: Selection in the 2025 NFL Draft

On April 26, 2025, Shedeur Sanders was chosen by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Despite his selection, the event was marked by significant public criticism from anonymous coaches and executives regarding his character and playing style, though he was noted for maintaining his maturity throughout the process.

May 19, 2025: Signing NFL Rookie Contract

On May 19, 2025, Shedeur Sanders officially entered into a four-year professional contract with the Cleveland Browns valued at $4.6 million, which included a signing bonus of $447,380.

2025: 2025 NFL Season Performance and Starting Quarterback Promotion

During the 2025 season, Shedeur Sanders achieved his first 300-yard passing game in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans. Despite his performance, he faced a controversial substitution decision by coach Kevin Stefanski during a critical two-point conversion attempt. Following this game, Sanders was named the permanent starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2025 season. He concluded the year with a 3–4 record across seven starts, recording 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and the lowest passer rating in the league among qualified quarterbacks.

2025: Shilo Sanders signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL draft, Shilo Sanders, Shedeur Sanders's older brother, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025.

2025: NFL Draft Selection and Pro Bowl Selection

In 2025, Shedeur Sanders was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the NFL draft and earned a Pro Bowl selection during his inaugural professional season.

2025: Statistical Performance Period

Throughout 2025, Sanders accumulated performance statistics that, while contributing to his Pro Bowl selection, drew criticism and unfavorable comparisons to previous player selections.

January 26, 2026: Pro Bowl Selection

On January 26, 2026, Shedeur Sanders was named to the 2026 Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement, becoming the first Cleveland Browns quarterback to receive the honor since 2008 despite facing criticism regarding his selection.