Shilo Sanders is hoping to carve out his path in the NFL. The other son of Deion Sanders signed an UDFA contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is looking to latch on as a rotational safety and special teams player.
The 6’0 “, 195-pound safety ran a 4.54 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine and put up a solid college career at South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado before getting his shot at the NFL. He arrived for his first workout with the Bucs on May 9.
Shilo Sanders Already Knows His Place in Tampa
Say what you will about Shilo, the kid has a sense of humor. As he approached the Buccaneers’ facility, he said, “I know I haven’t got a code yet, so I need somebody to let me in.”
“I know I ain’t got no code yet, so I need somebody to let me in.” 😂@ShiloSanders already cracking jokes on the first day of Rookie Camp. (via @Buccaneers) pic.twitter.com/1OruA8qigJ
— NFL (@NFL) May 9, 2025
Sanders is best known for his physical style of play. He’s an aggressive downhill tackler who delivers big hits on opposing runners. In 2024, he led the Buffaloes with 70 and 55 solo tackles. He also forced four fumbles, which was second overall in the country. Against Colorado State, he nabbed an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Sanders has been candid and self-deprecating throughout his post-college period.
Bucs GM Jason Licht went on “Pat & Aaron” on WDAE radio to talk about Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders.
“We’ve talked about [Shilo Sanders] quite a bit in the process,” Licht said.
According to Licht, Sanders’ agent called the Bucs on Saturday, April 26, to ask if they’d sign Sanders. Licht said that when the call came, he was standing alongside Bowles, and it was an easy decision. Shilo entered the draft without an agent, but signed with Drew Rosenhaus shortly after the draft was over.
Sanders said, “Dad was our agent, but that hasn’t been working out too well. So, today I had to sign with an agent.”
For his part, Deion went on his family’s Twitch stream singing the move’s praises. “I’m thankful. Tampa’s a wonderful spot,” Deion said. “Coach Bowles is a defensive-minded guy. He’s brilliant.”
Shilo finished his college career with 52 games, 218 tackles, six interceptions, seven forced fumbles, one sack, and 17 passes defended. He’s got a high football IQ and can play as both a deep free safety and closer to the line in run support. He’s an excellent finisher in zone coverage, but he must improve his man-to-man coverage.
If he becomes a better technical tackler instead of a big hit hunter, he could become a key part of the Bucs’ defensive backfield.