Shedeur Sanders is the youngest son of former NFL star Deion Sanders, who was his head coach throughout his college career, which included two years at Jackson State followed by two at Colorado.

The 23-year-old’s pass completion rate of 74.0% was the best in college football and helped Colorado to a 9-4 record.

Yet Ward and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel were the two quarterbacks among the four Heisman Trophy finalists, for the best college player, which was won by Sanders’ team-mate Travis Hunter.

The 21-year-old has been dubbed a ‘unicorn’ as he is a genuine two-way player – he plays significant time on both defence and offence, as a cornerback and wide receiver.

The last player to do that in the NFL was Deion Sanders in the 1990s, which is partly why Hunter played under him at Jackson State and Colorado, but NFL teams seem unsure how best to utilise him at the top level.

Hunter edged out Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to win the Heisman while Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter is the top-rated defensive player.

Mason Graham (defensive tackle), Jalon Walker (linebacker) and offensive linemen Will Campbell and Armand Membou are also expected to be early picks, while Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart are seen as the next best quarterbacks.