For Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders, making the initial 53-man roster in a few days will be a challenge. Sanders went undrafted this past April after spending six years in college between South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado. At the latter two stops he was coached by his father, NFL Hall-of-Famer Deion Sanders, spending four years between the two schools.
“My deal with my kids is that they don’t have to be the best, but they do have to give their best,” Deion Sanders said in an interview with Bleacher Report. “They’ve always been very mature, and they’re very understanding of the times and what they’re up against. I’m truly excited to see them overcome all the adversity and for them to shine.”
Having a legend such as Deion Sanders as your father inherently creates some pressure, but fortunately for Shilo, it seems Deion is supportive as he tries to carve his own path. Now that he’s in the NFL, his father’s name won’t grant him opportunities by itself. He’ll have to earn them on the field, something he’s already been doing.
Shilo Sanders Had a Great College Career
Julio Aguilar/GettyTAMPA, FLORIDA – MAY 09: Shilo Sanders #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works out during the 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rookie Mini-Camp at AdventHealth Training Center on May 09, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Shilo was incredibly productive at Colorado, totaling 134 tackles, a sack, an interception, five passes defensed, and five forced fumbles between his two seasons in Boulder. He had an 80-yard pick-six for the Buffaloes as a sixth-year senior, creating a highlight play to stamp his college career.
Transitioning to the NFL is tough for any player, but Shilo has a bit of an uphill climb. It’s difficult for undrafted free agents to make rosters, and he wasn’t considered a great NFL prospect out of college. He’s old for a rookie, and small for a safety — a tough combo to overcome. But Shilo isn’t going to let that stop him from trying, and he has one more chance to make an impression when the Bucs take on the Buffalo Bills in each team’s final preseason game on Saturday. He already has three tackles this preseason.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense Could Be the Best in the League
A combination of injuries and a lack of a consistent pass rush meant Tampa Bay’s defense was a bit hit-or-miss last season. The Buccaneers made sure to address their pass rush in free agency and the draft, and they’re hoping for better injury luck this year. Haason Reddick is the big addition at edge defender, and the Bucs hope he can have a bounce-back year and return to form as one of the best pass rushers in the league.
All told, this defense has a chance to be elite. DT Calijah Kancey could take a step forward in his third season, and this team already has studs at all three levels of the defense. Between LB Lavonte David, CBs Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, and S Antoine Winfield Jr., the pieces are all in place.
Deion Sanders Speaks on Expectations for Shilo Sanders’ Buccaneers Future