Shedeur Sanders, born on February 7, 2002, in Tyler, Texas, is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur has carved his own path in the football world, showcasing remarkable talent and leadership. Raised in a family steeped in athletic and competitive spirit, Shedeur’s journey has been shaped by his father’s legacy and the dynamic influence of his siblings.
After a standout high school career at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, where he threw for over 12,000 yards and 166 touchdowns, Shedeur emerged as a highly sought-after recruit. His decision to play under his father’s coaching at Jackson State University and later at the University of Colorado marked the beginning of a promising career, culminating in his selection by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Siblings
Shedeur is part of a talented family of five siblings, each carving out their own unique path while sharing the competitive drive instilled by their father, Deion Sanders, and their respective mothers, Carolyn Chambers and Pilar Biggers-Sanders. The eldest sibling, Deiondra Sanders, born on April 17, 1992, to Deion and his first wife, Carolyn, is an entrepreneur and internet personality with nearly 400,000 Instagram followers. She has appeared on reality TV shows like Deion and Pilar: Prime Time Love, Deion’s Family Playbook, and Paradise Hotel. As the director of communications for Sc3 Sports Management since June 2019, Deiondra has built a career working with athletes, leveraging her father’s legacy while emphasizing her own hard work. In August 2024, she welcomed her first child, a son named Que, with her fiancé, R&B musician Jacquees, making Deion Sanders a first-time grandfather. Deiondra showed her support for Shedeur during his NFL Draft slide, posting a biblical quote on X to uplift him.
Deion Sanders Jr., born on December 1, 1993, also to Deion and Carolyn, followed in his father’s footsteps by playing college football at Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a wide receiver. After his athletic career, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding the streetwear brand Well Off Forever in 2016. He is also a content creator, running the YouTube channel Well Off Media, which often features the Sanders family’s activities, including Shedeur’s football journey. Deion Jr. has been vocal about clarifying misconceptions, such as when he addressed rumors about Shedeur’s involvement in a luxury car purchase, showcasing the siblings’ close-knit dynamic.
Shilo Sanders, born on February 9, 2000, to Deion and Pilar Biggers-Sanders, is Shedeur’s older brother and a fellow football player. A safety for the Colorado Buffaloes, Shilo began his college career at the University of South Carolina before transferring to Jackson State and then Colorado, both times following his father’s coaching moves. Known for his defensive prowess, Shilo recorded 39 tackles and four interceptions in 2021 at Jackson State, earning second-team All-SWAC honors. Despite an ACL injury in 2022, he made a strong impact at Colorado, notably with an 80-yard pick-six in 2023. Shilo went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft but signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His support for Shedeur during the draft was evident, as he kept the mood light with humor during a challenging weekend. However, Shilo has faced legal challenges, including a 2016 lawsuit resulting in an $11.89 million judgment against him for an alleged altercation, leading to a bankruptcy filing in 2023.
The youngest sibling, Shelomi Sanders, born on December 14, 2003, to Deion and Pilar, is a collegiate basketball guard for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. Known as “Bossy,” Shelomi began her basketball career at Jackson State, where she made her debut with a three-point shot in 2022, before transferring to Colorado and then Alabama A&M. Her athletic journey reflects the family’s competitive spirit, and she has garnered attention for her resilience, particularly after sharing a candid Instagram post in 2025 about managing her Type 1 diabetes, including a demonstration of changing her glucose monitor and insulin pump.
Career
Sanders’ football career began at Trinity Christian High School, where he showcased his quarterback prowess, amassing over 12,000 passing yards and 166 touchdowns. Choosing to play for Jackson State University under his father’s coaching, Shedeur quickly established himself as a star. In his freshman year of 2021, he threw for 3,231 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading the Tigers to a conference championship. His sophomore season was even more impressive, with a 70.6% completion rate, 3,732 yards, and 40 touchdowns, guiding Jackson State to a 12-1 record and earning him the Deacon Jones Trophy.
After transferring to Colorado in 2023, Shedeur set school records in his debut game, throwing for 510 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-42 upset over TCU. In 2024, he led the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns. Despite high expectations for the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur was selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns, a slide attributed to concerns about his pocket presence and interviews.
Accolades
Sanders’ collegiate career is decorated with numerous accolades that highlight his exceptional talent. In 2021, he won the Jerry Rice Award as the top FCS freshman and was named SWAC Freshman of the Year. In 2022, he earned the Deacon Jones Trophy as the nation’s top HBCU player and was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, along with First- and Second-Team All-SWAC honors.
At Colorado, he continued his dominance, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2024 and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, recognizing him as the top senior quarterback. Shedeur also made history with a 49-game streak of throwing at least one touchdown, the longest in NCAA Division I history. In April 2025, Colorado retired his jersey number, a rare honor for a player not selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. These achievements underscore Shedeur’s skill and resilience, even as he faced scrutiny during the draft process.