The NFL’s investigation into prank calls received by draft prospects took a surprising turn when it was revealed that Jax Ulbrich, the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, was behind the call to former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. However, league officials insist Ulbrich was not responsible for the other fake calls placed to players on draft night, raising further questions about who else was involved.
As officials work to uncover the origins of these prank calls, concerns grow over how the callers accessed private contact details, given that the NFL only provided phone numbers for the draft attendees and players participating in official interviews.
Jax Ulbrich’s Prank Call to Shedeur Sanders
Sanders, one of the most high-profile quarterbacks in the draft, fell victim to a prank when Ulbrich spoofed a phone number and posed as New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. Sanders momentarily believed he had been drafted before realizing it was a hoax.
According to reports, Ulbrich found Sanders’ phone number on an open iPad at his father’s home, then wrote it down and used it for the prank. The Falcons quickly distanced themselves from the incident, clarifying that Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of his son’s actions. Jax later issued an apology, admitting that his behavior was “selfish and childish.”
While the prank on Sanders was widely criticized, an AP source confirmed that Ulbrich acted alone. This revelation has fueled further speculation about how other prospects ended up receiving similar prank calls from unknown numbers.
AP source says the prank call to Shedeur Sanders wasn’t related to the ones received by other players during the NFL draft. The league is investigating. Also, the NFL only provided teams phone numbers for the players who attended the draft in Green Bay or were participating in…
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) April 29, 2025
Other Draft Night Prank Calls Remain Unsolved
Beyond Sanders, multiple players reported receiving fraudulent calls that led them to believe they had been drafted, only to later find out otherwise. Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, and Philadelphia Eagles draft pick Kyle McCord were among those who received prank calls.
Warren, who was picked 14th overall by the Indianapolis Colts, received a fake phone call claiming he was being drafted by the New York Jets while they were on the clock with the seventh pick.
Graham’s father revealed that his son’s phone number was leaked in a TikTok video, leading to nonstop calls from unknown numbers. McCord, who was eventually selected in the sixth round, said he received multiple prank calls earlier in the day and initially thought his actual draft call was another hoax.
Unlike Ulbrich’s prank, the individuals behind these other calls have not been identified. Some league officials suspect advanced spoofing technology may have been used, raising concerns about security vulnerabilities in the draft process.
NFL Investigates as Security Concerns Rise
The NFL is now working with cybersecurity experts to track down the source of these unauthorized calls. Officials emphasize that only select players had their contact details shared with teams — specifically those attending the draft in Green Bay or conducting virtual interviews on ESPN and NFL Network.
Until the NFL uncovers more details, the league’s security measures remain under scrutiny, with draft prospects and teams hoping to avoid a repeat of the chaos in years to come.