Deion Sanders is known for his larger-than-life personality and his knack for making waves. But unlike other coaches, even ‘Coach Prime’s’ decisions do involve some drama. Recently, his son, Shedeur Sanders, was left out of the spotlight in a surprising way.

Deion’s buddy, NFL star, Robert Griffin III, came out with his season-opener “Heisman front-runners list” the other day. To the audience’s utter bewilderment, Griffin decided to focus on Cam Ward, who was phenomenal against the Miami, which missed some key chances and ignored Shedeur Sanders, who did well for Colorado. This decision has elicited much criticism and controversy from fans and analysts.

What is the spin in this case? It confounds many, that Griffin decided to promote Cam Ward over Shedeur Sanders, who happens to be closely related to Griffin and Coach Prime. Ward had an excellent performance in the first week against Miami, which made him receive more attention, while Shedeur, despite a solid game, was overlooked. In the list compiled by Griffin, with the likes of Ward and Ashton Jeanty considered some of the best, several people have asked if there was any influence of relation with the selection. 

Let’s focus more, particularly on the Week 1 match against Miami, because Cam Ward showed why he deserves a Heisman trophy, making a really amazing play. Ward was again impressive in the game behind the helmet as he threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns to help Washington State carve a comfortable victory. This, coupled with his enthusiasm for executing plays and his ability to take charge on the field, was enough to earn a place on Griffin’s list.

The unexpected oversight: how Robert Griffin III’s snub of Shedeur Sanders sparked controversy

On the other side of the spectrum, Shedeur Sanders also had an outstanding week 1. He was passing for 275 yards and two TD and Colorado won the game in style. Still, Sanders showed great accuracy and his ability to perform well under pressure; however, he does not even appear in top-3 on Griffin’s list.

Ward has the raw stats of yards and explosive plays, which makes his Week 1 performance superior. Still, it was Sanders, who was equally stable and accurate throughout the entire game, that deserved attention as well. Griffin’s snub of Sanders has led to debates about whether personal connections influenced his choices or if Ward’s performance truly outshined Sanders’ efforts. This situation explains why rankings and recent performances are big issues inherent in college football’s Heisman race.

But did Griffin make the right choice by vouching for Cam instead of Shedeur? Well, the college football season is not yet over, and there is still ample chance for Shedeur Sanders to show his prowess and alter people’s opinions. For now, however, Cam Ward has all the attention he probably wants and needs, thanks to his own play and Griffin’s words.