The spotlight in the NFL world has been on Shedeur Sanders and his dramatic fall in the 2025 NFL Draft. But another Sanders brother is also entering his rookie season—his older brother, Shilo Sanders.
The safety signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent and agreed to a three-year deal. Shilo impressed Bucs head coach Todd Bowles on Day 1 of rookie minicamp and is determined to do whatever it takes to help his team get the ball back to the offense.
Shilo Sanders Reveals What He Will Bring To Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Defense
While his first-round-caliber brother slipped all the way to Round 5, Shilo was thrilled to land a three-year UDFA contract. He told reporters he “did the Dougie for about 15 minutes” after his agent shared the news.
Now in rookie camp, the 25-year-old safety is focused on making the team. When asked what he brings to the defense, Sanders didn’t hesitate.
“It’s just an ‘it’ thing: Either you’ve got it or you don’t,” Sanders told Fox Sports. “Throughout my whole career, I’ve always been a guy that gets the ball out, in any way, shape or form—forced fumbles, picks. I’m going to get the ball, and that’s the whole part of playing defense: We want to get the offense the ball.”
Sanders made a strong impact in his two seasons at Colorado, earning a reputation as a turnover machine. In his first year with the Buffaloes, he posted a career-high 70 tackles and returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown against Colorado State. He also forced four fumbles in 2023.
MORE: Why Did Shilo Sanders Choose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
He returned as a starter in 2024, his sixth and final year in college football—having redshirted in 2019 and received an extra year due to the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In eight games last fall, he recorded 55 tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and his first career sack. He also notched one pass deflection.
Sanders earned early praise from Bowles at minicamp. If he can keep flashing his leadership and improve on the field, the son of the legendary Deion Sanders could find himself on Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster come Week 1.