Today’s pro day at Colorado under coach Deion Sanders might be the most hyped workout session of the 2025 NFL draft process, maybe even more so than the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis earlier this year.
That’s because Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his teammate, wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, are expected to participate.
We don’t know exactly what the two players are going to do. But this day is important because if they do work out, it will be the first time either has publicly done so for NFL teams. Neither player worked out in Indianapolis at the scouting combine.
Either way, both of these players could be top five picks. So we have to pay attention.
These possible workouts may not change the minds of team executives, but they could solidify some opinions either way.
USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights and more from the pro day workouts of Sanders and Hunter.
What other Colorado players deserve NFL attention?
It’s not just the Shedeur and Travis Show. Colorado said 16 total draft-eligible players would participate in drills Friday in front of NFL scouts.
Four of them previously were invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis: Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, receiver LaJohntay Wester and receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.
Another receiver to watch is Will Sheppard, a 6-foot-3 transfer from Vanderbilt who ranked third on the team last year behind Hunter and Wester with 48 catches for 621 yards receiving.
On defense, several playmakers will showcase their skills, including Arizona State transfer lineman B.J. Green, the team leader in sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (13) in 2024.
Besides Shilo Sanders (Deion’s middle son), there’s also another safety prospect that intrigues as a ballhawk who just seems to love to play football – Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig.
He was Colorado’s leading tackler in 2024 after transferring with the Sanders family from Jackson State two years ago. He’s the kind of player who might be undrafted but still could have a solid NFL career simply because he’s got a nose for the ball, plays hard and does what the coaches want him to do.
Shilo Sanders hoping for big day
This is an especially big day for Deion Sanders’ middle son, Shilo, Colorado’s safety. He is considered more a fringe draft prospect who did not get invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and instead channeled his draft preparation for this very day, especially the 40-yard dash.
He contacted Zybek Sports, a local company that has been timing the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine for the past 13 years. The idea was to use the same timing equipment as the NFL combine to measure his speed and improve his time in the lead-up to today.
His dad also made a promise to him that if he runs the 40-year dash in 4.4 seconds, he’d buy him a new car, as documented by the YouTube channel of Shilo’s eldest brother, Deion Jr.
“If you run a 4.4, what kind of car you want?” Deion Sanders Sr. said to Shilo in the video.
Shilo, 25, has proven himself to be a hard-hitting ballhawk in his two seasons at Colorado, when he led the team in tackles in 2023 and ranked third on the team in tackles in 2024 despite missing three games with a broken forearm.
Why is this event a big deal for Colorado?
Colorado hasn’t seen this kind of NFL interest in more than a decade. All 32 NFL teams were expected to send representatives to attend the event and at least 150 media members have been credentialed to cover it, according to the school.
The Buffaloes haven’t had two first-round NFL draft picks in the same year since 2011 and haven’t had a quarterback drafted at all since 1997. That’s when the Philadelphia Eagles selected Koy Detmer in the seventh round. The last time they had a player selected in the top five was 1995, when the Washington football team picked wide receiver Michael Westbrook at No. 4 overall.
Last year, after Deion Sanders’ first season as coach, the Buffs didn’t have any players drafted but did have some prospects sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents, including receiver Xavier Weaver (Arizona).
When is Shedeur Sanders’ pro day?
It’s today, you goof. That’s why you clicked on the story. It’s at Colorado and scheduled for Friday, April 4 at 2:30 eastern. The event is set to air live on NFL Network. The NFL Network generally does a remarkable job airing these pro days.
Who will work out with Sanders?
His Colorado teammates but the most important of those could be Travis Hunter, the two-way star who’s expected to come off the board possibly in the first five picks. Hunter is the Heisman Trophy winner.
Will Deion Sanders be there?
Does a Buffalo bleep in the woods? Or on the range? Or wherever Buffaloes go. Yes, he’ll be there. It’s a big day for his son. But almost as important: it’s a big day for his program. This is free and extensive exposure.
Where could Shedeur Sanders go in the draft?
That’s the million-dollar question and it’s looking it could be almost anywhere in the first round. He could go second overall to the Browns or third overall to the Giants or even late in the first round. I’m hearing from several teams that the evaluations of Sanders are all over the place.
Where will Hunter go in the draft?
His situation is completely different. It would be a mild shock if he slipped past five overall.
Are pro days dumb?
Yes. And no. Also, maybe.
In Sanders and Hunter’s case, this will be the first time teams have been able to truly evaluate them on the field since their college seasons ended. In that way, this is an important moment.
Also, many of the top players decline to work out at the combine, and they use the pro days (and the favorable conditions) as their one chance to impress teams.
Don’t you have anything better to do at 2:30 on a Friday, Mike?
No, and you don’t either. So let’s party!
How to watch Shedeur Sanders’ pro day
- Date: April 4
- Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Colorado’s indoor practice facility
- TV: NFL Network
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+