The Rise of Shilo Sanders: From College Star to NFL Rookie

TAMPA — The day kicks off around 6 a.m. for Shilo Sanders, who chats frequently with his younger brother, Shedeur, a quarterback now with the Browns. They’re both navigating their rookie minicamp schedules, albeit miles apart.

“He’s been missing me,” Shilo laughed on Saturday. “He wants some brotherly love. You know, he misses me and stuff. His big brother is no longer next to him in practice. We talk a lot.”

Just the day before, during a meeting with assistant secondary coach Rashad Johnson, Shedeur called in. Shilo joked, “Bro, you’re messing up my study session. You need to be studying.”

Forging Separate Paths

Both brothers, who played the last two seasons under their father, Deion, at Colorado, are now making their own marks in the NFL. While Shedeur’s surprising fifth-round selection by the Browns turned heads, Shilo’s journey was a waiting game. After the draft concluded without his name being called, his agent Drew Rosenhaus quickly reached out to teams to inform them of his availability. Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles wasted no time in deciding to sign him.

Deion, seen enthusiastically promoting his son on a family Twitch stream, remarked, “Todd is a defensive-minded guy. He’s brilliant.”

Making an Impact

Shilo quickly made his presence known among the Bucs. He arrived early to mingle with veterans like All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who offered valuable insights. Shilo said, “I was just happy for this opportunity. I want to prepare myself the best that I can for this rookie camp, and [Friday] was a good day.”

Bowles singled out Sanders for his ability to articulate defensive calls, saying, “Like the rest of the safeties, he’s very intelligent, he’s very loud. You can hear him making calls, so he’s got a good grasp of things on Day 1.”

Shilo earned the label of “respectful” after his interactions with the Bucs staff and equipment team. Interestingly, he has a strong social media following himself, boasting 1.2 million Instagram followers, compared to the Bucs’ 1.5 million.

During his first press conference, Shilo greeted each media member with a handshake, declaring, “My new media team here!”

The Buccaneers were the only team Shilo wanted to sign with. He shared his enthusiasm, saying, “Just look at the whole coaching staff. It’s a real supportive environment. Everybody wants to see each other win.”

A Journey Filled with Experience

At 25, Sanders brings a wealth of experience, having played six seasons across various colleges including South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado, where he shared the field with his brother and father.

Bowles has emphasized the need for defenders who can create turnovers, and Sanders fits that bill with seven forced fumbles and six interceptions to his name, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

“It’s just an ‘it’ thing,” Shilo noted. “You’ve got it or you don’t. I’m always trying to get the ball out in any way possible. That’s the whole point of playing defense: getting the offense the ball.”

Feeling at home in Tampa Bay, Shilo is adjusting well to the heat, crediting his time in Boulder for helping him get in shape for minicamp. After the draft, he received a call while with his father informing him of the Bucs’ contract offer. Shilo celebrated, saying, “I think I did the ‘Dougie’ for about 15 minutes. I’m just so grateful for this opportunity.”

Family Support and Shared Dreams

Bowles understands the dynamics of the Sanders family, as he also has sons pursuing sports. He stated, “Deion understands the game. But as a father, when your sons are trying to make it, you’re always looking at it as a parent first.”

Ultimately, all parents hope for their children to excel beyond their own achievements, and that’s what both the Sanders and Bowles families strive for.

Conclusion

Shilo Sanders is on an exciting journey as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With strong family support and a hunger to succeed, he’s ready to make a name for himself in the NFL.

FAQs

What college did Shilo Sanders play for?

Shilo Sanders played for South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado during his six seasons of college football.

What position does Shilo Sanders play?

Shilo Sanders plays as a safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

How did Shilo Sanders end up with the Bucs?

After going undrafted, his agent contacted the Bucs, leading to a quick decision to sign him.