"I think, me and him the GOAT": When a young Shedeur Sanders compared himself to NFL legend and future mentor Tom Brady 

The rapport between Colorado Buffs quarterback Shedeur Sanders and NFL legend Tom Brady is well known. Brady is not just a mentor to Sanders, he is also a collaborator, being the first college athlete to get signed on to Brady's TB12 apparel line. Safe to say their relationship didn't start overnight, though. Sanders has seen the similarities between him and the seven-time Super Bowl champion since he was in high school.

In an interview with Overtime in 2018, Sanders talked about Brady:

“Honestly, I think Tom Brady's gonna win the Super Bowl again. It's like, I think me and him the GOAT. I think we're both the GOAT.”

Looking back now, it might feel like Sanders was being prophetic. Brady went on to win the Super Bowl again. He also retired from the NFL in February 2023 after 23 seasons widely acclaimed as the greatest quarterback to have played in the league. Meanwhile, Sanders could be the top pick of the 2025 NFL draft after what has been an amazing campaign with Colorado.

He has been instrumental to the Buffs’ 6-2 record this season, with 2,591 yards and 21 touchdowns passing. He has completed 220 of his 300 pass attempts for a 73.3% completion rate. He has three additional rushing touchdowns.

Sanders’ relationship with Brady has also been a trending topic since Brady acquired a 5% stake in the Los Angeles Raiders. There are suggestions that the New England Patriots legend may influence the Raiders to pick Sanders in the draft.

A look back at Shedeur Sanders’ high school football career

Shedeur Sanders was a four-star prospect in high school. He learned under his dad Deion Sanders’ guidance as the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas. He was important for the team, completing 251 of 366 passes for 3,702 yards and 43 touchdowns in his senior season.

He initially committed to Florida Atlantic but later flipped to Jackson State, where his dad took the head coaching job. Shedeur Sanders, along with his brother Shilo formed part of his dad's squad at Jackson State. They (and standout cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter) also moved with their father to Colorado when he was hired by the Buffaloes in December 2022.

He has been one of Colorado's top performers since he transferred there in 2023. He is also maintaining a lucrative personal brand that has earned him an NIL value of $6.2 million, according to On3.