The NFL released a whopping 329-strong list of invitees for the 2025 Draft. A galaxy of talent there, but surprisingly, fans and analysts alike are not talking about those who made the cut. Instead, everyone is talking about those who didn’t make it.
Advertisement
And topping that list is Shilo Sanders. Despite his brother and former teammate Shedeur Sanders receiving an invite to the event, Shilo finds himself in the unenviable position of being one of the more notable snubs from this year’s combine.
It’s not just Shilo. Despite hitting the headlines often and grabbing a lot of media attention over the past two seasons, the Buffaloes have largely missed out this year, with many of their playmakers left out of the draft list.
Host of the daily Locked on Buffs show, Kevin Borba, took a closer look at the NFL’s decision to turn a cold shoulder towards the rest of Boulder’s roster.
In Shilo’s case, Borba cited both injuries and a decline in performance as the main reasons behind the snub. Nevertheless, he felt that the Buff’s safety still had a chance to go pro. He said Shilo…
“… Still have a chance at Colorado pro day, at the Big 12 pro day… I don’t think Shilo Sanders had the season that NFL teams would’ve liked to have seen this past year… This past year he was injured and clearly when he came back, I think it affected his play, I think it affected his performance.”
But not the team’s. After a broken forearm took Shilo out of action, Colorado ripped off three consecutive wins during his absence. While he was able to make a successful return just a few weeks later, Borba asserted that the injury had had a sustained impact on Shilo’s abilities. “Even when he wasn’t injured, he still played like he was… He just wasn’t the same.”
The senior finished his final season of FBS play having compiled 44 solo tackles and two fumble recoveries in 10 games. not quite enough to make it, despite Shilo’s media fame.
As Borba reminded fans, “It’s not a popularity contest at the combine. They are not going to invite players just because they have big names.”
That was probably true in Will Sheppard’s case too.
Sheppard snubbed from the 2025 NFL Combine
The Buffalo WR was yet another prominent name missing from this year’s event. While he was limited to just one catch during the East-West Shrine Bowl, Sheppard still managed to make the most of the opportunity. A back-shoulder fade play resulted in a spinning grab and a 20-yard gain for the Colorado product, showcasing his play-making abilities.
A back shoulder beauty from Brady Cook to Will Sheppard! @MizzouFootball @CUBuffsFootball
: @ShrineBowl on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/kgs84AHrBa
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 31, 2025
Sheppard also managed to stand out during group practices held before the game, thanks to an impressive one-handed snag.
Colorado WR Will Sheppard was 1 of 2 players I circled at the Shrine Bowl to raise their draft stock a ton
Sheppard’s done just that. Showing his exceptional catch radius day in and day out, impressing as a route runner, overall looking like a GEM pic.twitter.com/U0j9krw1a5
— Andy (@CUandyy) January 28, 2025
Despite Sheppard’s impressive highlight reel throughout the All-Star event, he was left out in the cold this year by NFL scouts. At least that’s how Borba sees it.
“If we’re talking true snubs… You look at a guy like Will Sheppard, who I thought was one of the stars of the East-West Shrine Bowl,” said Borba.
Describing Sheppard as a “big receiver” who is “strong” and “physical,” the analyst was insistent that he was unjustly overlooked in the 2025 NFL Combine.
Thankfully, for players such as Shilo, Sheppard, B.J. Green, and Chidozie Nwankwo, there’s still a chance left for them during the upcoming pro days to showcase their abilities and find an NFL home.
