University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has officially accepted an invitation to the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl, the prestigious all-star event announced Wednesday.
The 22-year-old signal-caller, who has turned heads with his stellar performances this season, will use the opportunity to further solidify his case as one of the top quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, has delivered an outstanding senior season for the Buffaloes. He has thrown for 3,222 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions while completing a career-best 72.9% of his passes. Adding to his versatility, Sanders has also scored four times on the ground, helping lead the 8-2 Buffaloes to a 6-1 Big 12 record and keeping them in contention for the expanded College Football Playoffs.
The East-West Shrine Bowl, celebrating its 100th edition, is one of the marquee events leading up to the NFL Draft. Along with the Senior Bowl, it offers top collegiate players a platform to showcase their talent in front of NFL scouts and decision-makers. This year’s game will take place on January 30 at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, with practices and evaluations scheduled throughout the preceding week. NFL Network will broadcast the game live.
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For Sanders, the Shrine Bowl is an ideal stage to prove his NFL readiness. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 198 pounds, he has drawn attention as one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2025 draft class. His collegiate career, split between Jackson State and Colorado, has been marked by consistent production, toughness, and elite accuracy. Sanders boasts a career completion percentage of 69.6% and has accounted for an impressive 124 touchdown passes against just 24 interceptions.
Scouts are sure to keep a close eye on Sanders during the week of practices. While his stats and leadership have been remarkable, there are questions surrounding his arm strength and ability to process defenses quickly under pressure. At times, he has held onto the ball too long, a habit NFL teams will want to see addressed as he transitions to the next level.
Beyond his physical tools, Sanders’ mental makeup will likely come under scrutiny. Quarterbacks are the face of any NFL franchise, and decision-makers will use Shrine week to assess his personality, leadership qualities, and ability to handle the spotlight. Given his pedigree and success under the bright lights of Colorado, Sanders will have every chance to prove he has the intangibles required for the game’s most demanding position.
The 2025 draft class features a strong group of quarterbacks, but Sanders’ accuracy, production, and competitive drive have already made him a standout. His ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments has been evident throughout his collegiate career, and the Shrine Bowl offers him another opportunity to shine against top-tier competition.
This year’s Shrine Bowl carries added weight as it celebrates a century of showcasing NFL-caliber talent. For Sanders, it’s a chance to further honor his family’s football legacy while forging his own path. The younger Sanders has consistently demonstrated that his surname isn’t the only reason he belongs on the NFL radar.
The NFL Draft begins on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Sanders’ performance at the Shrine Bowl could play a significant role in shaping his draft stock. As one of the biggest names invited to the event, he’ll have all eyes on him when he takes the field in Arlington.
For now, Sanders remains focused on finishing his senior season strong and leading Colorado to a potential playoff berth. The East-West Shrine Bowl will be another critical step in his journey, giving him the platform to prove he’s more than ready to take his game to the next level.
On January 30, the spotlight will be firmly on Shedeur Sanders as he leads one of the most anticipated weeks of the pre-draft process. With his poise, production, and determination, he’s poised to make the most of the moment.