The prank call heard ‘round the draft
During Day 2 of the NFL draft, Shedeur Sanders became the target of a bizarre prank when a caller posing as Saints GM Mickey Loomis falsely claimed New Orleans would draft him “with our next pick.” The call, later traced to Jax Ulbrich—son of Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich—left Sanders confused live on his brother’s YouTube channel.
How the call unfolded
Jax Ulbrich, 21, accessed Sanders’ draft contact information from an open iPad at his father’s home, where Falcons draft materials were stored. He wrote down the number and executed the hoax during the second round, mocking Sanders’ prolonged wait with a misleading promise of selection. The Falcons confirmed Jeff Ulbrich had no prior knowledge of the breach.
Impact on Sanders’ draft night
The prank compounded tension for Sanders, who slid to Day 3 before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. Though Sanders dismissed the incident post-draft (“I don’t feed into negativity”), the stunt overshadowed a milestone moment.
Falcons, NFL respond to fallout
Atlanta apologized to Sanders and announced a review of data protocols. The NFL is “looking into the matter,” while Jax Ulbrich issued a public apology, misspelling Sanders’ name (“Sheduer”) and calling his actions “selfish and childish.”
A draft night marred by hoax
The incident highlights vulnerabilities in draft security and the scrutiny facing prospects. For Sanders, the Browns’ legitimate call ended the drama. For Jax Ulbrich, the joke’s repercussions—and lessons—are just beginning.