Deion Sanders Wanted 'No Competition' For Shedeur, Says SEC QB

“I was thinking about going to Jackson State, but Deion was so real,” Pavia said. “He was like, ‘Hey, like you're not playing. This ain't a 50/50. My son's playing regardless.’”

When asked if Sanders said that even if Pavia outperformed Shedeur, Pavia responded, “Even if you were better, like my son’s playing regardless. He’s like, ‘We’re looking for a backup.’”

Pavia ultimately landed at New Mexico State, where he became one of the most productive dual-threat quarterbacks in the country before transferring to Vanderbilt.

As for Shedeur, last year's Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ranked among the top five nationally in nearly every major passing category. He led the nation in completion percentage (74.2%) in 2024 while ranking second in both passing touchdowns (35) and completions per game (28.1). His 327.2 passing yards per game ranked third in the FBS, and he finished fifth in passer efficiency (168.8). He's only the fifth player in the past nine seasons to rank in the top five in all five categories, joining elite company that includes Dwayne Haskins, Joe Burrow, C.J. Stroud and Bo Nix.

Sanders was responsible for 82 percent of Colorado’s total offense in 2024, setting both school and Big 12 records. That percentage also stands as the third-highest FBS mark since 1996. He has thrown a touchdown pass in 48 consecutive games, the longest streak in NCAA Division I history and the second-longest in NCAA history at any level. That streak would rank as the fourth longest in NFL history.

Sanders now tries to break through in a four-player QB battle for the Browns. He's one of two rookies vying for more reps as training camp approaches.