Shedeur Sanders addresses criticism of footwork, importance of offensive line

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country last season following his first season with the Buffaloes. But all of the nation’s best have areas to improve upon in the offseason.

For Sanders, his footwork was the area he wanted to improve the most. Which he opened up about alongside his brothers on the second episode of his podcast 2Legendary with Shedeur Sanders.

“Really just working on footwork and everything in rhythm,” Sanders said. “Knowing the pre snap, knowing actually post snap reality of what’s going to happen, and just throughout the play. Just go through progressions and work on footwork really.”

His brother Shilo Sanders asked Shedeur if he felt like his footwork was bad last season. Which led to an in-depth discussion about how Colorado’s lack of strength on their offensive line impacted his footwork.

“No, it was good. But what I’m saying is when you get sacked so many times, over and over and over and over, compound interest. Your footwork’s gonna be different than someone that hasn’t got sacked that many times,” Sanders explained. “People could say, ‘Oh, his footwork was off, he wasn’t throwing a rhythm.’ They’re not sitting there when that 275-300 pound d-tackle running after you. You’re behind the computer typing.”

Only Old Dominion‘s Grant Wilson was sacked as many times as Sanders last season, both leading the nation after being sacked 52 times respectively. But he made sure to make it clear that he’s not pointing fingers at his undermanned and undersized offensive line from last season.

“But they’re doing their best, everybody’s out there trying. So it’s no point to blame at anybody because they out there trying, they ain’t out there just giving up. If they’re abilities say they just can’t block them, then they just can’t block them. We gotta adjust and do what we can to make sure to have some type of success during the game,” Sanders explained.

“So that’s why I don’t be trying to hear anything from nobody when it comes to last year, footwork, all this different type of stuff,” Sanders added. “You’re in a brand new system and then you get sacked so many times. So now you’re going to be off, it’s PTSD.”

Colorado has retooled their offensive line through the transfer this offseason, and it will be fascinating to see how far better protection and better footwork from quarterback can help the Buffs’ offense make a smooth transition to the Big 12 this upcoming season.