Matt Rhule has floated between college football and the NFL during his career. The Nebraska Cornhuskers coach has also been around a few talented quarterbacks at both levels. He was asked by ESPN’s Pete Thamel about where Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders might fit in at the next level.
“I would take him No. 3 overall. Without a question,” Rhule said about Sanders going to the New York Giants. “I think he’s tough. You can quote me on this. This is how strong I feel. He took 12 hits against us. 12 hits. There were 7 sacks. He’s accurate, smart. Sees coverages. Can run if he has to. He’s gone to 2 places that haven’t won and they won.”
Rhule knows how difficult being in the New York atmosphere can be. He spent one season as an assistant with the Giants in 2012 before hopping back to the college ranks.
“Here’s why – to me, he’s the guy who can handle the spotlight in New York,” Rhule said. “He’s the only person raised from (childhood) to know to handle the spotlight. Who are some of the greatest-ever QBs in NY – Broadway Joe and Eli Manning. Shedeur was trained at the foot of his dad. He’s got a completely different demeanor. The spotlight there is so large. I think he’ll crush it.”
The Giants picked up both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency and could be eyeing a QB of the future in the 2025 NFL Draft. Whether that could be Sanders or Ole Miss Jaxson Dart remains to be seen at this point.
Sanders could go anywhere between No. 3 to the Giants and No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. A wide gap for the ‘Grown’ QB after being projected as the top overall pick last year.
Related: Shedeur Sanders retirement being ‘forced’ by Deion, says Denver reporter
The first round of the 2025 NFL kicks off on Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
