Mel Kiper Jr. Exposed For ESPN Corruption By College Football Coach
Mel Kiper Jr. Exposed For ESPN Corruption By College Football Coach
Mel Kiper Jr.’s enthusiastic support for Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL Draft raised questions about his objectivity and thoroughness as a draft analyst. For months leading up to the draft, Kiper repeatedly claimed Sanders was the premier quarterback prospect in the country, despite consensus opinion favoring other players like Cam Ward, who was eventually selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans.
The controversy deepened when Miami coach Mario Cristobal revealed on May 14, 2025, that Kiper never contacted him to discuss Ward, who had played under Cristobal’s guidance. “I can’t recall many NFL teams or TV people I didn’t speak to,” Cristobal noted, adding that he had never heard from Kiper despite speaking with countless other analysts and scouts.
Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson similarly confirmed he had no interactions with Kiper regarding Ward’s abilities or potential. This lack of due diligence raised legitimate concerns about how thoroughly Kiper had evaluated the quarterback class beyond Sanders.
Kiper’s behavior during draft coverage further intensified scrutiny when Sanders fell to the fifth round. The ESPN analyst displayed visible frustration on air, calling NFL teams “clueless” and describing Sanders’ draft position as “disgusting.” Rather than focusing on the achievements of selected players, Kiper repeatedly redirected attention to Sanders throughout the broadcast.
The situation presents a complex picture of sports media dynamics:
Professional Considerations:
- Analysts must balance entertainment value with accurate assessment
- Thorough research requires direct communication with key sources
- Visible bias can undermine credibility in draft evaluation
Possible Factors in Kiper’s Position:
- Strong belief in Sanders’ potential despite contrary evidence
- Potential influence from Sanders’ high-profile family connection (Deion Sanders)
- Commitment to a narrative established early in the draft process
While Kiper successfully generated viewer engagement through his passionate stance, the apparent lack of comprehensive research—particularly his failure to speak with coaches of other top quarterback prospects—suggests a predetermined position rather than an evolving analysis based on complete information.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
