"Money can't change me": $6.5 million NIL-valued Shedeur Sanders makes eye-catching remarks before NFL transition

Shedeur Sanders, valued at $6.5 million in NIL deals by On3, made a bold statement about staying true to himself as he prepares for the NFL. During an interview with Overtime shared on Instagram Saturday, Sanders addressed whether the transition to the league would affect his authenticity.

“Nah, I’m gonna be the same,” Shedeur said. “Money can't change me, fame can't change me. We done did everything we done had at all. So it's like, there’s nothing that could really change. It’s just more about focus on football and winning games.”

“That's really what it is for me,” he added. “Whatever team I go to and whatever program represents that program in the best light. But other than that I'm gonna always be myself, I ain't gonna ever change.”

Sanders’ maturity and focus haven’t gone unnoticed. According to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, NFL legend Tom Brady has been "impressed" by Sanders' performance and his ability to manage the spotlight over the past two seasons at Colorado.

With four years of college experience and 49 starts under his belt — spanning Jackson State and Colorado — Sanders has grown both as a player and a leader.

NFL Insider: Some teams question Shedeur Sanders' first-round status

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders - Source: Imagn

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, shared a surprising take on Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock. According to Pelissero, some NFL scouts don’t have a first-round grade on Sanders, and he might not even be the first quarterback selected in the draft.

The criticism stems, in part, from Sanders’ performance in Colorado's Alamo Bowl loss to BYU. Despite an impressive senior season, Sanders struggled in that game, throwing for a season-low 208 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Sanders is in a tight race with Miami’s Cam Ward and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe to be the first quarterback off the board. However, quarterback-needy teams like the Titans, Giants, Jets and Raiders may find it hard to pass on Sanders in the first round, even if some scouts remain skeptical.