Trent Dilfer wonders if Shedeur Sanders can deal with the "pressure of being Prime’s kid?”

An NFL vet questions Sanders' confidence going into the season

Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

When it comes to surveying the 2024 NFL Draft prospects, it's never too early to talk about the quarterbacks of the group. USC's Caleb Williams is undoubtedly at the top as he returns to SoCal after taking home last year's Heisman Trophy. He's joined by UNC's Drake Maye as two passers most people will keep their eyes on going into this next season.

SI's Albert Breer, with the help of Summit QB founder and trainer Jordan Palmer, and new UAB coach Trent Dilfer, compiled a cut sheet of the top QBs. One of those to make the list was Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. The Jackson State transfer is setting up shop in Boulder after throwing for 70 TDs over the past two seasons. He's also enlisted the help of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning for a few pointers.

Dilfer gave his thoughts about Sanders' current career path at CU.

Colorado true junior Shedeur Sanders made the move from Jackson State with his dad, and he comes up to the FBS level with 24 FCS starts under his belt. Deion’s kid, in many ways, looks the part. We'll know the rest soon. “Really good player,” Dilfer said. “Smooth—he’s in that smooth category, he’s effortless on some things. I need to see it at this level. … They're gonna have adversity, it’s not all gonna be rainbows and roses, so how’s he responding to that adversity, how does he respond to the pressure of being Prime’s kid?”

Sanders continues to work this off-season at perfecting his craft. 'SS2' was scheduled to throw at the Manning Passing Academy this year, but decided to be with his father while he had blood clot surgery three weeks ago. He recently won the Deacon Jones Award as the best HBCU player in 2022. 

Dilfer, a 14-year veteran QB, won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens during his career. He latched on as a high school head coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tenn. before taking the job at UAB this past hiring cycle.