Who is Jax Ulbrich? Meet the man behind the controversial Shedeur Sanders prank call

In an incident that marred one of the most important nights in Shedeur Sanders' football journey, Jax Ulbrich — son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich — has stepped forward to take responsibility for a prank call that caught the sports world by surprise. The call, made during the 2025 NFL Draft, impersonated a general manager and led Sanders to briefly believe his wait to be drafted had finally ended.

The moment, intended to be a celebration of years of hard work, turned sour as the hoax quickly came to light. Sanders, once considered a first-round prospect, saw his stock fall to the fifth round, making the prank all the more painful.

On Sunday afternoon, Jax Ulbrich, a 21-year-old student-athlete at Berry College, took to Instagram to offer a heartfelt apology. “On Friday night, I made a tremendous mistake,” Ulbrich admitted. “Sheduer [sic], what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I'm so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish. I could never imagine getting ready to celebrate one of the greatest moments of your life and I made a terrible mistake and messed with that moment. Thank you for accepting my call earlier today, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
The NFL, already investigating the incident, received confirmation through Ulbrich’s confession, which ended speculation circulating online about his involvement. His statement came just hours after a video of the prank surfaced on social media, sparking outrage from fans who empathized with Sanders’ public disappointment.
Shortly after Jax’s post, the Atlanta Falcons released their own statement, distancing themselves from the incident. Although Jax has no official affiliation with the organization, the connection has naturally drawn media attention due to his father's high-profile coaching role.
Jax Ulbrich, who hails from New Jersey, is currently pursuing a business degree at Berry College, where he plays as a running back, donning jersey number 20. His player bio notes his interests include golfing and weightlifting, and lists Iron Man as his favorite superhero. He is one of three children of Jeff and Cristina Ulbrich.
While the apology may bring some closure to the matter, the timing of the prank and the emotional weight behind Sanders’ draft experience have left a lasting impression. For a young athlete like Shedeur Sanders — already navigating the pressures of falling down the draft board — the prank added unnecessary salt to the wound. Still, his willingness to accept the apology speaks volumes about his character, even when his big night was momentarily stolen from him.
Also Read: “Selfish and childish”: Jeff Ulbrich’s son Jax apologizes for prank call to Shedeur Sanders during NFL Draft 2025