GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders is still on the board following the first round of the NFL draft.
The New York Giants passed on the former Colorado star quarterback twice, including with the No. 3 pick Thursday night. Las Vegas (at No. 6), the New York Jets (No. 7), New Orleans (No. 9) and Pittsburgh (No. 21) also said no thanks to Sanders, and that's four teams seemingly in need of a signal caller.
How far will Sanders fall now?
He will definitely be available when the second round begins Friday with QB-needy Cleveland on the clock. The Browns hold two of the first four picks in the round.
“We all didn’t expect this of course, but I feel like with God, anything’s possible, everything’s possible," Sanders said in a video posted on YouTube on Thursday night. “I don’t think this happened for no reason. All this is, is of course fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance, we all know this shouldn’t have happened, but we understand we’re on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re going to be happy regardless.”
There was some thought a team would trade into the bottom end of the first round and grab Sanders. But no one did.
The Giants looked like they might. They sent three picks to Houston for the 25th overall selection and then chose Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart over Sanders. TV cameras showed a solemn Sanders family watching and waiting in Canton, Texas.
Concerns about Sanders’ arm strength have become an issue in recent weeks, although his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, laughed at that notion. In 50 collegiate games, Shedeur Sanders threw for 14,347 yards, with 134 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. He completed 70.1% of his passes and ran for 17 more scores.
He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting. Former Colorado teammate Travis Hunter went second overall to Jacksonville, which traded four picks to move up three spots and select the Heisman winner.
But Sanders didn't get the same first-round party. Although there was some speculation he might slide to the second round, most outsiders figured someone — maybe a big-city franchise — would take a chance on the talented player who brings an entourage.
Sanders previously said he didn't need the bright lights of Broadway or the Bellagio. “I could bring cameras and eyes anywhere I go,” he said. And he insisted the attention wouldn't bother him one bit because, as his father said, he was raised to keep calm and carry on.
“One thing I learned is to not really care about anybody’s opinion but those around us who matter,” Shedeur said.
His father has been outspoken all along the way.
“We’ve already won. We came from a private school. And we came from an HBCU. We’ve won," Deion Sanders said. "Shedeur’s getting drafted. He’s going in the first round. ... We’ve won, man. We’ve already won.”
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FILE - Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, left, talks with quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — This was Lamine Yamal's season.
So it just had to be the teenage phenom who scored the decisive goal to clinch Barcelona's 28th Spanish league title.
And what a goal it was.
The 17-year-old struck the winner in Barcelona's 2-0 victory at crosstown rival Espanyol on Thursday when he slid past two defenders outside the area and whipped one his now trademark left-footed curlers into the corner of the net.
It was a perfect culmination to Yamal's last 10 months.
After helping Spain win the European Championship last summer, Yamal excelled for Barcelona this campaign with his goals, dribbling and playmaking as he confirmed his status as the next big star of global soccer. Along with Raphinha, Pedri and company, and Barcelona was unstoppable.
“I always try my best and today I was lucky it went in,” Yamal said. "I am very happy I could help the team and celebrate it.”
Fermín López ensured the win in stoppage time after Espanyol was reduced to 10 men in the 80th when Leandro Cabrera received a direct red for hitting Yamal in the stomach while disputing a ball.
Barcelona won the title with two rounds remaining. It completed a domestic double with the Copa del Rey title — treble if you add the Spanish Super Cup — and reached the Champions League semifinals in a fantastic first season for coach Hansi Flick.
Flick’s team virtually ended Madrid’s title defense when it beat its top rival 4-3 on Sunday, making it four of four clasico victories across all competitions this season.
Madrid's victory over Mallorca on Wednesday prevented Barcelona from winning the title without playing. But the Catalan club needed just two points from its final three games of the season.
Barcelona’s players danced briefly on the field to celebrate while sprinklers doused them with water.
“You don’t win a league every day and we have to enjoy this and give it the value it has,” said Barcelona midfielder Pedri after completing his 200th game for his club at age 22.
Lionel Messi posted a message on Instagram sending his “Congratulations” for his old team. Real Madrid also congratulated its fierce rival on X, while thousands of Barcelona fans gathered to celebrate in downtown Barcelona.
Barcelona dominated the domestic competitions, winning 15 and drawing two of its league games in 2025. Toss in the cups, and the only tiny blemish was coming oh-so-close to reaching the Champions League final before it fell in gut-wrenching fashion at Inter Milan.
Yamal credited his coach for inspiring a core of players who had won nothing last season under Xavi Hernández.
“We are thankful for what Xavi have us, but it is true that coach (Flick) has given us a new life,” Yamal said.
Looking back on his arrival in the summer, Flick said that he had instilled a “positive” attitude in his team and it had adapted well to his style of play that requires a high defensive line and all-in pressing.
“Barcelona has to win titles and three titles is really great,” Flick said. “I suffered a bit after the game in Milan, but after winning three titles I am very happy and the club is too.”
Espanyol outplayed its wealthier rival in the first half. But Urko González shot wide on a counterattack early on and Javi Puado couldn’t beat Wojciech Szczesny in a one-on-one opportunity.
But Yamal's great shot in the 53rd minute put Barcelona in control. Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, who is linked to a move to a big club this summer, including Barcelona, dove but couldn’t reach the perfectly placed shot.
On Yamal’s goal, Pedri said: “He scored two goals like that today in practice. We are fortunate to have him on our side.”
Espanyol needed to a good result from the derby as it hopes to stay out of the relegation fight. Espanyol remained in 16th place and five points from the drop zone.
The game was briefly paused by the referee in the opening minutes when a car rammed into a crowd outside the RCDE Stadium, injuring several people. Authorities said it was an accident and not related to the game.
Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao secured a Champions League spot after winning 2-0 at Getafe.
Third-placed Atletico Madrid lost 2-0 at Osasuna, while Real Betis stumbled in its fight for a fifth-place finish and the last Champions League spot after drawing 2-2 Rayo Vallecano.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Barcelona fans celebrate in the street after their team won the Spanish La Liga soccer championship in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Barcelona's Hector Fort celebrates at the end of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona players celebrate at the end of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona players celebrate after a goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Espanyol and Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)
Barcelona's Fermin Lopez, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal reacts after scoring during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Espanyol and Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)
Espanyol's Antoniu Roca, left, attempts a shot at goal in front of Barcelona's Gerard Martin during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Espanyol's Javi Puado, left, attempts a shot at goal in front of Barcelona's Andreas Christensen during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal spits out water as he warms up prior to a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal drinks water as he warms up prior to a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, left, runs with the ball past Espanyol's Carlos Romero during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, left, celebrates with his teammate Alejandro Balde after scoring his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal attempts a shot at goal to scores his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
