"I don't forget what anybody ever said": Shedeur Sanders credits his HBCU roots for unwavering motivation

Colorado Buffaloes coach Shedeur Sanders credited his HBCU roots for his motivation and success in college. Sanders began his college career at Jackson State before transferring to Colorado.

Sanders has become one of the top quarterbacks in college football and is expected to be a high pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Sanders said the beginning of his career at a historically black college or university program has been critical to his success.

“By remembering that you was just an HBCU kid that couldn’t do it on a Power Five level. That’s really what it was,” Shedeur Sanders said after Saturday's win, via On3. “I don’t forget anything, I don’t forget what anybody ever said, and personally, I’m not one to make friends or feel like just because success is going on now, I’m gonna forgive everybody.”

Coming out of high school, Sanders was a three-star recruit who was the 37th-ranked quarterback in his class, according to 247Sports. Sanders didn't have a ton of offers and he ended up going to Jackson State where his dad Deion was a coach.

At Jackson State, Sanders was dominant as he threw for 6,963 yards, 70 touchdowns and won two straight SWAC titles.

Despite his success at Colorado and becoming a top prospect, Shedeur Sanders said he's just focused on football and proving the doubters wrong:

“I just don’t pay attention to really the cameras and everything, because all that stuff’s there, but I always remember I was just the HBCU kid that couldn’t do it at a Power Five level."

This season, Sanders has gone 138-for-197 for 1,630 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions, as Colorado is off to a 4-1 start.

Shedeur Sanders leads Colorado to upset win over UCF

Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes improved to 4-1 on the season after a dominant 48-21 upset win over UCF on the road on Saturday. Sanders played well, as he threw for 290 yards, three touchdowns and a pick.

Following the victory, coach Deion Sanders said the team is heading in the right direction:

"I feel like we're trending in the right direction," Deion Sanders said, via ESPN. "I feel like you guys are seeing the fruit of a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication, great hires. Bringing the right guys in with the right attitude, the right work ethic.

"I love where we are as a program. I really do. Could we be better? Of course, I think everyone can, but I know we're trending in the right direction."

Colorado has its bye week next before hosting Kansas State on Oct.12.