The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to bolster their safety group, and they’re turning to a familiar football name for help.
Shilo Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and brother of Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, has signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Bucs give Shilo Sanders a shot at NFL glory
Sanders brings with him an extensive college career, having played at South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado.
Over six years, he tallied six interceptions, 13 passes defended, and seven forced fumbles, numbers that reflect his playmaking ability and football instincts.
His signing adds competition and depth to a Buccaneers secondary headlined by Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield Jr.
Head coach Todd Bowles recently shared his impressions of Sanders during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“I think he’s a good football player. He’s a heck of a tackler and he knows the game very well – he can see the game very well,”Bowles said.
“So, giving him a chance to play, we think he has a shot to help us from a safety standpoint and from a special teams standpoint.”
Bowles emphasized Sanders’ physicality and intelligence on the field, key traits that could help the young safety carve out a role in Tampa Bay.
“I saw him tackle all year. I saw him make plays. He’s a very smart player and he understands the game very well. So we thought it was worth a shot to see what he can do and I think he’ll show himself well,”Bowles added.
Making the 53-man roster will be a challenge for Sanders, but his versatility on special teams could be the ticket to sticking around.
The Buccaneers’ safety group, beyond Winfield Jr., features several young players still looking to solidify their roles, giving Sanders a real opportunity to compete during rookie minicamp and beyond.
Interestingly, there was once speculation that Bowles might reunite with Deion Sanders at Colorado had his coaching future in Tampa taken a different turn.
Although that move never materialized, it’s clear Bowles holds the Sanders family in high regard.
While Sanders faces an uphill battle as an undrafted player, NFL history is full of success stories that began the same way.
Now, Shilo Sanders gets his shot to prove himself, and maybe, like some undrafted stars before him, he’ll find a lasting place in the league.
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