Shedeur Sanders’ epic start to his Colorado career has him rapidly rising NFL draft boards and into the Heisman Trophy conversation. But the hype train surrounding Sanders may only just be beginning if he chooses to stick around for his senior season with the Buffaloes.
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt said on The Herd on Wednesday that he believes Sanders could be in line to make $10 million off his name, image and likeness should Sanders return to Colorado for the 2024 season. That is, of course, predicated on Sanders spurning NFL interest, where he’s a likely first round pick in the 2024 draft should he turn pro following this year.
“It’s not as cut and dry as it used to be [to go pro] because of NIL,” Klatt said. “You think of NIL like, ‘oh, he could make a couple million bucks,’ I think Shedeur might be able to make $10 million!”
"I think Shedeur might be able to make $10 million... We have no idea what his ceiling is from an NIL perspective."
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 20, 2023
— @joelklatt pic.twitter.com/NQLaZ9a78b
Turning down the chance to be a first-round pick would be challenging, but the calculus may be different for Sanders given his father Deion will still likely be coaching the Buffaloes and star wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter won’t be eligible for the NFL draft for another year.
Plus, with record TV ratings already after just a few weeks, brands are all going to want a piece of Shedeur Sanders. Earning $10 million would make him the most marketable athlete of the NIL era, but if the Buffaloes keep winning, his star will only continue to grow.
