As the Titans prepare to make the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, head coach Brian Callahan has been evaluating top quarterback prospects, Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward.
And rightfully so, given that the Titans, more than most others, are seemingly quarterback-needy ahead of 2025.
Both Sanders and Ward are considered among the most promising talents in this year’s draft class, and coach Callahan shared his thoughts on Friday about their abilities and potential at the University of North Texas, where he’s on location for the East-West Shrine Bowl.
“You can tell he’s been raised right,” Callahan said regarding his first impression of Sanders. “He’s mature, he has a really poised way about him, and he seems like a really good kid. I enjoyed talking to him.”
Added Callahan, highlighting Sanders’ familiarity with handling attention as the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders: “And, you could tell he’s a guy who has been in the spotlight. He knows how to handle himself, he’s been paid money, so he has a financial perspective.
“It was a really good first impression,” he concluded.
Sanders completed 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this past season and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting, which was won by teammate Travis Hunter.
“The thing that stands out the most is his toughness,” Callahan added of Sanders. “He took some pretty big shots and he kept rolling. He can stand in the pocket and deliver it. He can move and create a bit, he has some ability to move out [of] the pocket, and he does create on his own. He’s not a high-end dynamic scrambler necessarily, but he is productive when he does. And he really has a good feel for anticipation and timing, you can tell he’s been coached in that regard. Those things show up on tape.”
Callahan also discussed Ward, who is at least arguably as talented as his counterpart Sanders.
Ward set the Division I career passing TDs record after a strong season at Miami.
“He does some really cool stuff,” Callahan said referring to Ward. “He has a really loose throwing motion, and I mean that in the best way. He can spin the ball well. He has all the different arm angles. He has the ability to move and create. He’s put some really impressive throws on tape.
“Without knowing the person at all, just from what I’ve seen in a limited viewing, is he’s incredibly talented. I think you see him do some things that are very unique with his ability to throw the ball.”
Callahan will be entering his second year with the Titans after a five-year stint as offensive coordinator for the Bengals.
Callahan and the Titans went 3-14 last season en route to obtaining the No. 1 overall pick.
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