Jax Ulbrich, a name previously known primarily within the collegiate football circuit, exploded into the national spotlight in 2025 following a controversial incident during the annual NFL Draft. As of today, December 14, 2025, the fallout from his actions continues to be a major talking point in sports media, raising questions about accountability, online privacy, and the intense pressure of draft night for young athletes.
This deep dive provides the most current and comprehensive look at the young athlete, a running back for Berry College, detailing his background, the specifics of the viral prank call to NFL prospect Shedeur Sanders, the immediate consequences, and the sincere public apology that followed. His story is a cautionary tale of how a private, "childish act" can quickly spiral into a national controversy with professional repercussions for his entire family.
Detailed Biography and Personal Profile
Jax Ulbrich is a student-athlete and the son of a high-profile NFL coach, which placed his actions under an immediate and intense media microscope. His personal and athletic profile provides context to the young man at the center of the 2025 NFL Draft scandal.
- Full Name: Jax Ulbrich.
- Parents: Jeff Ulbrich (Father, Defensive Coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and former NFL linebacker) and Cristina Ulbrich (Mother).
- Siblings: Brother Jace Ulbrich and Sister Samantha (Sammy) Ulbrich.
- Hometown/Upbringing: He was raised in both Georgia and New Jersey, relocating to Chatham Township, N.J. during his high school years.
- Education & Athletics: Jax is currently a student at Berry College, a private liberal arts college in Mount Berry, Georgia. He has been enrolled since 2023 and is pursuing a business degree.
- Football Career: He plays as a running back for the Berry College Vikings football team, wearing jersey number 20. He was previously a captain for his Chatham High School football team, where he earned Offensive Player of the Year.
- Interests: His player bio notes that he enjoys golfing and weightlifting.
- Favorite Superhero: Iron Man.
The Viral Prank Call That Shook the 2025 NFL Draft
The incident that brought Jax Ulbrich notoriety occurred on the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft. During a highly emotional and stressful time for prospects who had not yet been selected, Ulbrich made a decision that sparked widespread outrage across the sports community.
The target of the prank was quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, who was experiencing a surprising fall down the draft board. Ulbrich managed to obtain Sanders’ draft contact information from an open iPad while visiting his parents’ home—a detail later confirmed by the Atlanta Falcons organization.
Ulbrich proceeded to impersonate New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis during the call. In a video that quickly went viral on social media, the caller can be heard telling Sanders, "We're going to take you with our next pick, man, but you're going to have to wait a little bit longer, man. Sorry about that." The footage showed a clearly confused and disheartened Shedeur Sanders asking, "What does that mean?"
The prank added "unnecessary salt to the wound" for Sanders, who was already navigating the pressure of his draft experience. The moment, intended to be a celebration of years of hard work, was momentarily stolen by the hoax. Sanders was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th overall pick.
The Fallout, Public Apology, and NFL Investigation
The reaction to the video was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Fans and media personalities condemned the act as "childish" and "inexcusable," particularly given the high emotional stakes of the NFL Draft. The connection to the Atlanta Falcons, through his father, Jeff Ulbrich, immediately drew the organization into the controversy.
Ulbrich’s Sincere Apology
Just hours after the video surfaced, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, Jax Ulbrich released a public statement on Instagram, taking full responsibility for his actions. His apology was direct and contrite.
- Admission of Guilt: He stated, "On Friday night, I made a tremendous mistake."
- Regret: He called his actions "completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful."
- Direct Address to Sanders: "Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful... I'm so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish."
- Forgiveness: He concluded by thanking Sanders for accepting his call earlier that day and expressing hope that Sanders could "find it in your heart to forgive me."
Atlanta Falcons and NFL Response
The Atlanta Falcons organization quickly issued its own statement, distancing itself from Jax's behavior. They confirmed that Jax Ulbrich had no official affiliation with the team and stressed that Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was "unaware of the data exposure or any facets of the prank" until after the fact.
The Falcons apologized directly to Shedeur Sanders and his family and stated they would "cooperate with any inquiries" from the NFL. The league itself launched an investigation into the situation, specifically looking into the protocol breach that allowed a civilian, Jax Ulbrich, to gain access to a prospect's private draft contact information via an "open iPad." The organization also stated they would be "thoroughly reviewing all protocols" to prevent a similar incident.
For his part, Shedeur Sanders demonstrated maturity in his response, stating that while he considered the act "childish," he was ultimately "unbothered" by the prank. His willingness to accept the apology from Ulbrich was noted by many as a sign of his character.
The Lasting Impact on Jax Ulbrich’s Future
The controversy in April 2025 served as a harsh, public lesson in the consequences of social media and the lack of privacy in the digital age, especially when connected to a high-profile professional sports family. While Jax Ulbrich is an amateur athlete pursuing a business degree at Berry College, the incident has permanently attached his name to a significant NFL Draft controversy.
The attention has, however, also highlighted his personal background as a college running back who enjoys lifting and golfing, providing a more complete picture beyond the viral video. As the NFL investigation concludes and the focus shifts to the upcoming season, the Ulbrich family hopes to move past the embarrassing episode, which served as a reminder that actions, even those intended as a joke, can have immediate and far-reaching consequences in the modern sports world.
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