The Toronto Argonauts have added former University of Colorado turned NFL quarterback Shedeur Sanders to the team’s exclusive negotiation list, per sources.
Sanders was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, 144th overall during the 2025 NFL Draft. He was chosen much later than many pundits anticipated, but reportedly dropped due to concerns over his arm strength, attitude, and celebrity ego.
The Tyler, Texas native completed 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards with 37 touchdowns against 10 interceptions during 13 games in his senior season with the Buffaloes last year. The six-foot-one, 212-pound QB was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and second-team All-American after leading Colorado to a 9-4 record.
In two seasons with the Buffaloes, Sanders completed 651-of-907 passes (71.8 percent) for 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In 2024, he was named first-team All-Big 12 and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the country’s top underclassman quarterback.
Prior to arriving in Boulder, CO Sanders played two seasons at Jackson State University, winning Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the Deacon Jones Award as the top Historical Black Colleges and Universities player in 2022. In 2021, he won the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the FCS.
The 23-year-old has been on the Argos’ neg list in the past. He’s the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Sanders has exclusively been coached by his father throughout his high school and collegiate career. Nicknamed “Prime Time” for his over-the-top confidence and elite playmaking ability, the elder Sanders has garnered much attention since taking over as Colorado head coach in 2023.
With Deshaun Watson unable to play in 2025 due to injury, the Browns are expected to have an open quarterback competition for the starting job. Sanders will battle veteran Joe Flacco, former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who Cleveland selected in the third round.
By adding Sanders, the Argos own his future CFL rights if he ever comes north of the border.
