2025 NFL Draft: Why Shedeur Sanders Can’t Return to Colorado and Play College Football Again

There’s still a strong chance that Sanders will be picked during the final rounds (Rounds 4–7) on Saturday. But if he somehow isn’t selected — or if he’s unhappy with where he’s drafted — could he go back to Colorado and play another season to boost his NFL stock?

The short answer is: No, he can’t.

When Sanders declared for the NFL Draft, he still had one season of college eligibility left. However, NCAA rules clearly state that once a player officially declares for the draft, they automatically give up any remaining eligibility. There’s no going back.

NCAA Director of Enforcement Chris Howard laid out the rule in a November 21, 2023 letter:

“If you are three years removed from your high school graduation, you can enter the NFL Draft once without losing your eligibility — but only if you are not drafted and you officially declare your intention to return to college within 72 hours of the draft declaration deadline.

Student-athletes who enter the NFL Draft early must sign a notarized petition with the NFL that renounces all remaining collegiate eligibility unless they revoke it within 72 hours.”

In other words, Sanders could have changed his mind — but he had only 72 hours to do it after declaring. Both he and his teammate Travis Hunter (who went No. 2 overall) declared for the draft back in January. That 72-hour window closed a long time ago.

Technically, NFL rules do allow players to return to college if they haven’t hired an agent or accepted benefits like Combine invitations. That flexibility is more common in basketball (the NBA lets players “test the waters” and return by a certain deadline — this year, it’s May 28).
But in college football, the NCAA is much stricter: once you declare, your eligibility is gone.

Interestingly, as NFL analyst Joel Klatt mentioned on NFL Network, Sanders hasn’t hired an agent — which would normally leave the door slightly open. Still, NCAA rules for football are hard and fast, leaving no room for him to come back.

Some believe Sanders should fight this rule. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk argues:

“We’ve learned a lot about college sports recently — most NCAA rules probably violate federal antitrust laws. Now that players are making millions from NIL deals, why shouldn’t a player with eligibility left be allowed to return? No one has ever legally challenged it.”

Florio adds that if Sanders were to challenge the NCAA and lose, he could simply move forward — either signing with whichever team drafts him, or signing as an undrafted free agent.

Realistically, though, this debate is likely moot. Colorado has already retired Sanders’ No. 2 jersey (and Hunter’s No. 12) after their spring game last week. Head coach Deion Sanders and the Buffs have clearly moved on, celebrating Shedeur’s college career as complete.

Of course, if Sanders really wanted to, there’s always the possibility of un-retiring that number. But for now, all signs point toward him beginning his professional journey — no looking back.