Superlatives from Colorado State football’s history in the NFL draft
A look at some of the most notable highlights of CSU’s history in the NFL draft.
Through three days and four rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders remains undrafted.
That is a jarring surprise for the Colorado football quarterback, who many experts predicted to go in the opening round of the draft on Thursday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Yet, five quarterbacks have been selected, but Sanders remains the best player available on many boards.
Buffaloes fans may be holding hope that if somehow Sanders is not drafted, he can return and play for his father and Colorado coach Deion Sanders. But that is not the case. If Sanders is not drafted, he is not eligible to return to the NCAA.
Here’s what you need to know about Sanders’ collegiate eligibility:
Can Shedeur Sanders go back to college?
No. Despite having another year of eligibility after playing one year at Jackson State and two at Colorado, Sanders does not have any eligibility left. He gave up his eligibility when he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and did not withdraw by the Feb. 7 deadline to remove his name.
The NFL’s College Advisory Committee clearly states that a player who participates in the NFL draft is no longer eligible for college football:
“The NFL encourages most underclassmen to finish their college eligibility and earn a degree while maturing as a professional prospect. Participating in the Draft means that an underclassman loses his remaining eligibility: If he is not selected by an NFL team, he will not be able to play another college season and he will not be able to improve his draft standing for the following year’s draft.”
What happens if Shedeur Sanders goes undrafted?
If Sanders goes undrafted, he becomes an undrafted free agent (UDFA) and, like all other UDFAs, is eligible to sign with any of the 32 NFL teams.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network, undrafted free agents receive a fixed three-year contract from the NFL team with which they sign. In 2025, the league minimum for an undrafted free agent is $840,000, according to OverTheCap.
That would be a steep drop from what Sanders was projected to get as a first-round pick. If he had been picked in the opening round, Sanders would have made from $48.7 million as the No. 1 pick to $14.6 million as the No. 32 pick. He also would have received a four-year contract, with a team option for a fifth year.
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