Shedeur Sanders Lands on ESPN’s Top 100 QBs of the 2000s

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Shedeur Sanders continues to stack accolades, earning the No. 87 spot on ESPN’s Top 100 College quarterbacks of the 2000s list.

After helping revive the Colorado Buffaloes alongside Travis Hunter and his father Deion Sanders, Sanders put up elite numbers in two FBS seasons: 7,364 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, just 13 interceptions, and a record-setting 71.8% career completion rate.

During Colorado’s 9-4 campaign, he threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading the Big 12 in multiple categories before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

Even before Boulder, Sanders dominated at Jackson State Tigers, throwing 70 touchdowns and posting a 23-3 record in two seasons.

The Cleveland Browns shouldn’t waste time on a quarterback competition, they should hand the reins to Shedeur Sanders now.

That’s the stance Browns analyst Nick Pedone took on 92.3 The Fan, arguing the franchise must treat Sanders as QB1 heading into training camp.

“Shedeur Sanders is our quarterback,” Pedone said. “He’s gonna get the first-team reps… and we’re going to treat him like he’s the quarterback of this thing moving forward.”

While Sanders’ rookie season was underwhelming, Cleveland is expected to feature upgrades along the offensive line, at receiver, and in play-calling. With limited options in free agency or the draft — and uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson’s future — Pedone believes developing Sanders is the Browns’ clearest path forward.

If he takes a Year 2 leap, Cleveland may finally have its long-awaited franchise quarterback.

As the Cleveland Browns weigh their quarterback situation, linebacker Carson Schwesinger is standing firmly behind Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel both saw time under center last season, but neither delivered standout results. Still, Schwesinger, who won Defensive Rookie of the Year after a dominant campaign, believes Sanders showed the traits needed to grow into the role.

“Being able to go in there and run the offense as a rookie, it’s a hard thing to do,” Schwesinger said on The Insiders. “Being able to do that and have the poise, and then you see growth every week, I think that’s really what you can ask for.”

With a full offseason ahead, Schwesinger’s message is clear: Sanders has what it takes to take the next step in 2026.

Myles Garrett has spent years terrorizing quarterbacks, so when he praises one, it carries weight. And when it comes to Shedeur Sanders, Garrett sees something special.

“He’s pretty unflappable,” Garrett said. “The guy goes out there, he’s always himself, he stays true to him, and he’s just confident.”

Despite a modest rookie stat line (1,400 yards, 7 TDs, 10 INTs in eight games), Sanders showed flashes while operating behind a struggling offense for the Cleveland Browns. Garrett believes that poise under pressure matters more than early numbers.

“That’s who we’re looking at as the guy. We’re going to give him a shot to prove that he is the guy,” Garrett added, emphasizing that the title must be earned on the field.

With Cleveland eyeing contention, and Garrett openly chasing a Super Bowl, the message is clear: the Browns’ future may hinge on Sanders taking the next step.