As the dust settles on the 2025 NFL Draft, controversy continues to follow one of its biggest storylines, the viral prank call to former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the first round.
The prank, orchestrated by Jax Ulbrich, the son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has sparked conversation across the league. But one respected voice in the quarterback world, Quincy Avery, believes the incident could’ve been entirely prevented.
QB Expert Says Shedeur Sanders’ Prank Call Could’ve Been Avoided With NFL Agent
Avery, a well-known quarterback trainer who has worked with multiple NFL stars, pointed out that Sanders’ decision to represent himself, rather than hire a certified NFL agent, opened the door to the incident. Without an agent to act as a gatekeeper and safeguard confidential information, Sanders’ contact details became accessible to more people than usual within NFL organizations, including, apparently, family members of staff.
You know what’s crazy. Is the only reason the number if made public to the whole organization is because they didn’t have an agent. https://t.co/hzDiNiLSnf
— Quincy Avery (@QuincyAvery) April 30, 2025
On the night of the first round of the draft, Jax Ulbrich accessed his father’s iPad, found Sanders’ phone number, and gave it to friends, who proceeded to prank call the quarterback. The video of the prank call, along with Sanders’ reaction, quickly circulated online. It gained further attention after behind-the-scenes draft footage from Sanders’ family was published on YouTube.
The NFL quickly took action. On Wednesday, the league announced a $250,000 fine for the Falcons and an additional $100,000 fine for Jeff Ulbrich for failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information. The Falcons issued a public apology to Sanders and his family, and stated that the Ulbrich family will participate in community service as part of the resolution.
While Shedeur Sanders wasn’t the only prank target during the draft, Mason Graham and Tyler Warren also received similar calls, Avery’s comments shed light on a growing debate among NFL hopefuls: the role and value of certified agents.
With Sanders notably slipping to the fifth round before being picked up by the Cleveland Browns at No. 144, some now question whether a professional agent could’ve shielded him from not only embarrassment but possibly from draft-day freefall.
Although Sanders has the name recognition and legacy of his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, Avery and others believe having an experienced agent would’ve created a more professional buffer between him and NFL organizations.
The Falcons say they do not condone the behavior and have reiterated their apology. Jax Ulbrich has also personally apologized for his role in the prank.
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As Sanders begins his NFL journey in Cleveland, the prank call saga remains a cautionary tale, not just about technology or team security, but about the importance of proper representation during one of the most pivotal moments in a young athlete’s career.
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