At Colorado’s pro day earlier this month, Shedeur Sanders had no idea where he would land in the NFL Draft, but he was confident in knowing it would be a good weekend.

“Draft day will be fun,” the now-former CU quarterback said. “Big family, big friends. It’s gonna be legendary.”

How legendary remains to be seen with the draft now upon us and Sanders’ landing spot still a mystery. The first round will take place in Green Bay, Wis., on Thursday, followed by rounds two and three Friday, and the last four rounds Saturday.

For the first time in several years, Buff Nation has a reason to get excited for the draft. CU has had just one player drafted in the previous four years: tackle Will Sherman going to New England in the sixth round in 2021.

It’s been 14 years since a Buff was taken in the first round, but that’s going to change Thursday, when Heisman Trophy-winning receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is selected early. Sanders has long been a projected first-round pick, although pundits are all over the board with him.

“I said probably a year ago, they should be going 1-2,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said. “That’s the way I feel, and I’m going to stand by that. I think they’re the two best players in this draft.”

That likely won’t happen, as it’s widely expected that Miami quarterback Cam Ward will be the first pick, by the Tennessee Titans.

Most mock drafts have Hunter going No. 2 to the Cleveland Browns. No. 3 to the New York Giants or No. 4 to the New England Patriots are also possible. “I’m just ready to hear my name called,” Hunter said Wednesday in Green Bay to media covering the draft.

One of the more intriguing and polarizing topics going into the draft is what happens with Shedeur.The Giants have spent a lot of time evaluating Shedeur, including flying to Boulder for a private workout last week. Many mocks have the Giants going with Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3, however.

As the draft process has gone along, Shedeur’s stock has fallen. Once a popular projection for the Browns, Giants or Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6, Shedeur has also been tabbed a possible target for the New Orleans Saints at No. 9. But, in recent days, the common projection has been the Steelers at No. 21. Some pundits even have Shedeur slipping to the second round.

On the Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday, ESPN analyst Adam Schefter said Shedeur’s spot is the “question of the draft,” but projected it would be Pittsburgh.

“That’s where I would bet him right now,” Shefter said. “I don’t think the Giants are going to take him at three, but I’m not ruling it out. I don’t think they will. I definitely don’t think the Saints will take him at nine.”

There are no teams from No. 10-20 that need a quarterback, although it is possible a QB-needy team trades up to get Shedeur before No. 21. If the Steelers don’t take him at No. 21, there is a real possibility that Shedeur could slip to the second round.

Shedeur has said in the past he had a goal of going higher than his father, who was the No. 5 pick in the 1989 draft, but he’s recently said it’s more about fit.

“At the end of the day, I’m not stuck on (the draft position), because it’s about the situation,” he said at pro day. “So, whatever situation, whatever franchise believes in me and gives me the opportunity, I’m excited to go. So wherever that falls, it don’t really matter.”

As the draft has drawn closer, more and more criticism has surfaced about Shedeur, but that’s been no surprise to Coach Prime.

“I know it’s going to be some bull junk in the game, but we are prepared for it; we’re Sanders’,” Coach Prime said Saturday after CU’s spring game.

“Wherever they go over this next week, Shilo as well as Shedeur, and some of our Buffs, I’m excited, I’m happy. I cannot wait, because I know what God has in store for the Sanders’.”

In fact, Coach Prime brought up the 2018 draft, when Louisville star Lamar Jackson was projected to go top 15 but slipped to the last pick of the first round, No. 32 to Baltimore. In seven seasons, Jackson has been a two-time NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowler, winning 72% of his starts for the Ravens.

“Remember everybody thought it was a pity party (for Jackson),” Coach Prime said.

“He ended up going to a better team, the right situation in Baltimore and look what has happened.”

Beyond Hunter and Shedeur, the Buffs have several players who could be selected late in the draft, on Saturday. That list includes safeties Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig; receivers Jimmy Horn Jr., Will Sheppard and LaJohntay Wester; and defensive end BJ Green.