Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Former Buff Shedeur Sanders Added to AFC Pro Bowl Roster
January 27, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — Former Colorado quarterback and Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders has been added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster.
Sanders will replace Drake Maye, who advanced to Super Bowl LX. A fifth-round draft pick, Sanders is the first rookie selected in that round to earn a Pro Bowl nod since Puka Nacua. He started the final seven games of the season for the Browns, throwing seven touchdowns and rushing for another score during that stretch.
Sanders was named the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Week in Week 14 after a standout performance against the Tennessee Titans. He threw for 364 yards, accounted for four total touchdowns, and became the first Browns player to reach those marks in a single game.
Sanders is the 20th former Buff to earn a Pro Bowl selection and just the second Colorado rookie to do so. Phillip Lindsay previously achieved the honor in 2018 as an undrafted rookie with the Denver Broncos. Sanders is also the first player coached by head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders at Colorado to earn a Pro Bowl selection.
Sanders' selection drew praise from his father and former head coach, who reflected on the moment from multiple perspectives.
"As a father, a coach and a former NFL Pro Bowler, this is phenomenal," Coach Prime said. "He has always defied the odds. He has always kept his faith where it needed to be, and he has always done things that gave people strength and confidence. This is a true opportunity to appreciate the hard work, dedication and faith that this young man exudes. My son has accomplished something I didn't do until my third year in the NFL. God is Good!"
Sanders will replace Drake Maye, who advanced to Super Bowl LX. A fifth-round draft pick, Sanders is the first rookie selected in that round to earn a Pro Bowl nod since Puka Nacua. He started the final seven games of the season for the Browns, throwing seven touchdowns and rushing for another score during that stretch.
Sanders was named the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Week in Week 14 after a standout performance against the Tennessee Titans. He threw for 364 yards, accounted for four total touchdowns, and became the first Browns player to reach those marks in a single game.
Sanders is the 20th former Buff to earn a Pro Bowl selection and just the second Colorado rookie to do so. Phillip Lindsay previously achieved the honor in 2018 as an undrafted rookie with the Denver Broncos. Sanders is also the first player coached by head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders at Colorado to earn a Pro Bowl selection.
Sanders' selection drew praise from his father and former head coach, who reflected on the moment from multiple perspectives.
"As a father, a coach and a former NFL Pro Bowler, this is phenomenal," Coach Prime said. "He has always defied the odds. He has always kept his faith where it needed to be, and he has always done things that gave people strength and confidence. This is a true opportunity to appreciate the hard work, dedication and faith that this young man exudes. My son has accomplished something I didn't do until my third year in the NFL. God is Good!"
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