Latest news with #SWACPlayeroftheYear
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Shedeur Sanders could break a glass ceiling
About a month after a dramatic slide in the NFL Draft, talk is growing that Shedeur Sanders could start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. The former HBCU Player of the Year at Jackson State and standout at Colorado has made headlines throughout mini-camp - and the buzz keeps building. Tony Rizzo of ESPN Cleveland discussed a recent report expressing hope that Sanders will be the Browns' starting quarterback. "Something tells me this is going to work out in a weird way," Rizzo said. "The Browns told you they liked Dillon Gabriel more when they drafted him in the third round. But maybe Shedeur can impress enough to change their minds." Sanders was picked by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That came after early talk of him being a top-five selection. His fall to Day Three became a major storyline and sparked debates on-air and online. 'Listen, in that building, there are people who believe that Shedeur can 100 percent be the starter of this football team,' Kimberly A. Martin said on ESPN's Get Up. 'You said it's up to the Browns to give him the chance. It's also up to Shedeur to do the work. People there say he's soaking up everything like a sponge." If Shedeur gets on the field - starter or not - he'll be breaking a barrier for HBCU quarterbacks. He spent two years under his father, Deion Sanders, at Jackson State. He won SWAC and FCS Freshman of the Year in 2021 and SWAC Player of the Year in 2022 before transferring to Colorado. No HBCU quarterback has taken an NFL snap since 2015. That year, former Alabama State star Tavaris Jackson subbed in for Russell Wilson with the Seahawks. Jackson was also the last HBCU quarterback drafted before Sanders. The post Shedeur Sanders could break a glass ceiling appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Fox News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Browns select Shedeur Sanders on final day after shocking NFL Draft drop
It's better late than never. Shedeur Sanders had to wait until Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the Cleveland Browns finally called his name with the 144th overall pick in the draft's fifth round on Saturday. The first round of the draft did not go how Sanders envisioned, as he did not hear his name get called. But no one expected the same to occur on Friday night, as three more quarterbacks were taken before him. After Cam Ward went No. 1, the freefall truly began when the New Orleans Saints opted to go with Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth selection. All eyes were on the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21 in the first round, but as no one traded up in front of them, their selection also came and went without a QB, opting for Derrick Harmon. The New York Giants traded back into the first round, but they opted for Jaxson Dart instead, effectively ending any chance Sanders would be a first-rounder. Then, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel were selected on Friday. But Gabriel, who the Browns selected in the third round, is now Sanders' teammate as they bring in another quarterback. After the first round, Sanders admitted he "didn't expect" his drop-off on Thursday, but it is now "fuel to the fire." On Saturday morning before the fourth round began, he posted on X saying he was excited for "another opportunity to get a chance to play the game I love." The Browns finally turned that dream into a reality, and now Sanders can look ahead to impacting the team and city of Cleveland next season and beyond. Sanders, a four-star recruit and top 100 overall prospect across the nation, began his college career alongside his father at Jackson State after "Coach Prime" was brought in to lead the program. He initially committed to play at Florida Atlantic despite multiple SEC offers. Sanders quickly showed off his passing skills, earning SWAC Freshman of the Year honors after throwing for 3,231 yards with 30 touchdowns to eight interceptions, while also rushing in for three scores over 13 games. In 2022, Sanders topped that with a SWAC Player of the Year performance, which included 3,752 yards, 40 touchdowns and just six interceptions with six more rushing touchdowns. The competition changed, though, when Sanders followed his father again, this time to Colorado to start in the Pac-12. The Buffaloes didn't have immediate success, but the hype was high as Sanders came in and threw for 3,230 yards with 27 touchdowns to only three interceptions. He had a 69.3% completion rate on 430 pass attempts over 11 games. The Buffaloes would finish 4-8 on the season, with Sanders missing the finale due to a fractured back. Instead of entering the Draft last season, Sanders stayed on for another year at Colorado, and it appeared to be the right move. He earned second-team All-American honors as well as being named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a Heisman Trophy finalist. He set a school record with 64 career passing touchdowns, and did so in just two seasons of play. Sanders also led the FBS with a 74% completion rate –again another school record. In 13 games, he had 4,134 passing yards with 37 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. On tape, Sanders is a highly accurate quarterback with good pocket presence and the ability to scramble, which you'd like to see at the pro level. Some criticism from experts includes a standard NFL arm with a long release compared to others, and a knack for wanting the big chunk play instead of going through progressions and checking down when needed. There's also the massive spotlight Sanders has been in considering his father's exuberant personality as a player and now a coach. One NFL coach reportedly called him "entitled," while others are skeptical about how that popularity will affect him on the field at this new level. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Miami Herald
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU star uses new JUCO rules to hit portal
Sterling Young, the newly crowned SWAC Player of the Year, is entering the transfer portal, making him one of the most intriguing HBCU basketball prospects available. The Florida A&M guard, who had been expected to exhaust his eligibility after the 2024-25 season, will now have an extra year to play due to a recent NCAA ruling. The waiver, announced in December, grants an additional year to athletes who previously competed at non-NCAA institutions, opening the door for Young to extend his college career into 2025-26. Young's journey to being named the top player in a Division I HBCU basketball league has been anything but conventional. The Queens, N.Y. native took the JUCO route, spending two seasons at JUCO Pratt Community College in Kansas, where he became a key scorer, averaging 15.9 points per game in his sophomore year while shooting 45% from the field and 39% from three. He then made a brief stop at Charlotte, appearing in five games before transferring to Florida A&M, where he finally found his stride. In his lone season with the Rattlers, Young emerged as one of the most dynamic guards in HBCU basketball, leading FAMU with his scoring ability (17 points per game) and earning conference Player of the Year honors. With his extra year of eligibility, Young's decision to enter the portal shows the ever-changing college basketball landscape - by extension - the HBCU basketball landscape. His scoring prowess and experience at multiple levels make him a highly coveted target for programs looking for an impact player. While Florida A&M would surely love to retain him, Sterling Young now has the opportunity to explore new options, whether at another HBCU or a different level of competition. As the offseason unfolds, his next move will be closely watched, as he has the potential to be a game-changer wherever he lands. The post HBCU star uses new JUCO rules to hit portal appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
