NFL source sends strong message on Coach Prime’s role in CU Buffs football legend Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide

Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders is being blamed for his son Shedeur Sanders’ draft night slide – one that led the “Grown QB” to being picked No. 144 overall by the Cleveland Browns.

Athlon Sports’ Joe Simile claims an NFL source told him that Coach Prime’s brash persona and likely public input on Shedeur’s pro career played a factor in franchises continually passing on the ex-CU signal-caller.

“Deion isn’t just a parent. He’s Deion. And our NFL sources tell us that the Dallas Cowboys legend as a possible ‘meddlesome dad’ did play a role in the QB’s plunge,” Simile wrote.

Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith sounded convinced Sanders played a role in his son’s three-day draft saga.

“Deion not being a ‘significant’ factor is not the same as him not being a factor at all, and it is fair to ask whether some NFL coaches and GMs would have preferred not to have the distraction of Deion Sanders potentially weighing in on the way Shedeur was developing,” Smith wrote.

Coach Prime is “Agent Prime” no longer. Deion’s ability as his sons’ sports agent is, at best, a question mark. Coach Prime got the worst-case scenario after Shilo and Shedeur dropped him: a dismissal as the evangelist of the “Grown QB" and an ex-Buffs great defensively.

That’s probably for the best.

Coach Prime became a liability for Shedeur once teams realized they’d have to get his approval about any personnel moves.

Deion also has a plucky underdog Buffs squad in a deep Big 12 worthy of his attention this fall.

The University of Colorado Boulder needs Coach Prime’s undivided attention in 2025. Not a player whose number is retired and who needs to make an NFL roster after training camp to even require hearing from Deion.