Draft day is supposed to be the pinnacle. You’ve put in a decade of work, survived the combine, and now you’re just waiting for that one life-altering ring. But for Shedeur Sanders, the 2025 NFL Draft turned into a bizarre, high-stakes episode of Punk’d that ended with the league handing out massive fines.
It wasn’t just a "kids being kids" moment.
Basically, someone managed to get a hold of Shedeur's private draft-day phone number—the one only supposed to be known by high-level NFL personnel—and decided to mess with his future. While Shedeur was sitting with his dad, the legendary Deion "Prime Time" Sanders, his phone lit up. On the other end? A guy claiming to be Mickey Loomis, the General Manager of the New Orleans Saints.
The caller told Shedeur the Saints were taking him with their next pick. Shedeur’s response was pure relief: "I've been waiting for this."
Then came the punchline. The caller pivoted, telling him he'd actually "have to wait a little longer," before hanging up.
It was cold. It was public. And honestly, it was a massive security breach that left the NFL red-faced.
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Who Was Behind the nfl prank call sanders?
For a few days, the internet was a mess of theories. Was it a rival player? A disgruntled fan? Some random hacker?
The truth was way more awkward. The trail led directly to the Atlanta Falcons facility—specifically, to the home of their Defensive Coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich.
It turns out Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son, Jax Ulbrich, was the one who pulled the trigger. While visiting his parents, Jax reportedly saw his dad's iPad sitting open. On the screen was a confidential list of draft contact numbers that the NFL had distributed to teams. Jax didn’t just look at it; he wrote Shedeur’s number down.
Later that night, Jax and a friend (who actually did the talking in the video) made the call.
The fallout was swift. The NFL doesn't play around when it comes to "confidential data exposure." They slapped the Falcons with a $250,000 fine. Jeff Ulbrich personally got hit with a $100,000 bill. That’s a $350,000 prank call.
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Imagine explaining that one at the dinner table.
The Sanders Family Reaction
If the pranksters wanted a "gotcha" moment where Shedeur lost his cool, they failed. The whole thing was captured on a livestream, and while Shedeur looked confused, he stayed remarkably composed.
"I think, of course, it's childish," Shedeur said later. "But everybody does childish things here and there."
Coach Prime was similarly classy about it, though you have to imagine he was fuming behind the scenes. Deion Sanders has spent his whole career dealing with "extra" noise, so he probably saw this as just another Tuesday. Jeff Ulbrich later noted that the Sanders family was "amazingly gracious"—more than they needed to be, honestly.
Jax Ulbrich did eventually post a public apology, calling his actions "inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful." He realized too late that he hadn't just made a joke; he'd jeopardized his father’s professional reputation and messed with a peer’s biggest career milestone.
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Why This Prank Matters More Than You Think
This wasn't just about one phone call. It exposed a massive hole in how the NFL handles player data.
- Security Gaps: The league sends these contact lists to thousands of people. All it takes is one unlocked iPad for a player's private life to be upended.
- Draft Slide Stress: Shedeur was already sliding. He expected to go in the first round but ended up waiting until the fifth, where the Cleveland Browns finally took him. Getting a fake "congratulations" call while you're already stressed is a different kind of psychological toll.
- The Gambling Angle: As some analysts pointed out, if family members have access to team iPads, they might see more than just phone numbers. They could see injury reports, internal big boards, or trade discussions. In a world of legal sports betting, that’s a nightmare scenario for the NFL.
Interestingly, Shedeur wasn't the only one targeted. Other prospects like Tyler Warren (Penn State) and Kyle McCord (Syracuse) also reported getting weird calls. While those weren't linked to Jax Ulbrich, it proved that 2025 was the year "draft-day trolling" became a legitimate problem.
What’s Next for Shedeur and the League?
The NFL has already signaled that "protocols are being updated." Translation: expect much stricter rules about how these contact lists are shared and viewed. We’re likely moving toward a system where numbers are encrypted or only accessible through secure, time-sensitive apps rather than a PDF on an iPad.
As for Shedeur Sanders, he’s in Cleveland now. He’s got plenty of "fuel for the fire," as he put it. Being a fifth-round pick with a chip on your shoulder is a dangerous combination, especially when you have the pedigree of a Sanders.
If you're a young athlete or even just someone in a high-profile industry, there are a few things to take away from this mess:
- Vet Your Circle: Shedeur noted that "nobody" had that number except the NFL. Even then, someone found a way in.
- Stay Professional Under Pressure: Shedeur's stock might have dropped, but his maturity during the prank probably impressed more scouts than the pranksters intended.
- Data is Gold: If you’re a coach or an exec, your devices are liabilities. Lock them down.
The "nfl prank call sanders" saga will likely go down as one of the weirdest footnotes in draft history. It’s a reminder that even in a billion-dollar industry, a 21-year-old with an iPhone can still cause total chaos.
To avoid falling victim to similar digital overreach, ensure your personal contact information is only shared with verified entities during high-stakes periods like a job search or recruitment. For those on the administrative side, utilizing two-factor authentication and auto-lock features on professional devices isn't just a suggestion anymore—it's a $350,000 necessity.