Cruel Hoax Turns Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Dreams into a Nightmare — You Won’t Believe Who Was Behind It

The 2025 NFL Draft was supposed to be a celebration for Shedeur Sanders — a moment when the former Colorado star and son of NFL icon Deion Sanders would realize his lifelong dream. Instead, it turned into a nightmare that stunned the sports world.

Projected by many to be a first-round pick, Sanders sat anxiously with family and friends, waiting for his name to be called. But the call never came — at least, not in the way he had hoped. As Sanders’ draft slide deepened into the later rounds, he received what appeared to be a lifeline: a call from someone claiming to be New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.

The voice on the other end apologized for the delay and assured Sanders that the Saints were preparing to draft him. Relief flooded the room — but it didn’t last. The call turned out to be a cruel hoax, orchestrated by none other than Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Using his father’s team-issued tablet, Jax impersonated an NFL executive in one of the most tasteless pranks in recent draft memory.

The betrayal couldn’t have come at a worse time. Already dealing with the emotional sting of an unexpected fall down the draft board, Sanders was left humiliated on what should have been the happiest night of his life. The incident has since sparked outrage across the NFL community, highlighting the vulnerabilities young athletes face during high-pressure events.

Shedeur Sanders was not alone in being targeted — Philadelphia Eagles draftee Kyle McCord revealed he too received prank calls during the draft. However, Sanders’ situation struck a deeper chord, given the expectations and the personal nature of the hoax.

Eventually, Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, but the damage had been done. The cruel prank not only marred his draft experience but also added an extra chip to his shoulder — one that he’s likely to carry into his NFL career.

For Sanders, redemption won’t just come from proving doubters wrong — it’ll come from showing the world that no prank can break his spirit.