Bucs Rookie Shilo Sanders Looking to Do ‘Something Great’ Like Always Despite NFL Draft Setback

The Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.

Bucs Rookie Shilo Sanders Looking to Do ‘Something Great’ Like Always Despite NFL Draft Setback

Shilo Sanders (Image via FOX News)

In a historied family, patroned by Dallas Cowboys legend Deion Sanders and a popular quarterback brother, Shedeur Sanders, Shilo Sanders is often overlooked by the media. Shilo, unlike his younger brother, Shedeur, was not drafted in the 2025 Annual Players Selection Meeting, better known as the NFL Draft.

After a six-year-long collegiate career with three different colleges, the South Carolina Gamecocks, Jackson State, and the Colorado Buffaloes, Shilo declared for the NFL Draft ahead of the season. After the draft setback, the 25-year-old safety from Texas was picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an UDFA.

Shilo Sanders is one of the 15 undrafted free agents signed in what pundits call the “eighth round” of the NFL Draft. Amongst the list is Florida lineman Desmond Watson as well. Being a UDFA is not iconic or noteworthy, but neither the outside noise nor the inner dissonance has had an effect on Shilo’s faith and trust.

In a recent admission to Jenna Laine of ESPN, Shilo noted that despite everything, he will come back to do something great in the league.

Well, my take on being disappointed in ‘lows’ — it’s not really ‘low’ because you can’t change the path and you can’t really do anything about something that already happened. So I just trust God, and I always end up doing something great, so I just know it’s going to happen and whatever’s happening currently is to learn or to grow from.

As of now, Shilo Sanders is fighting for a role in the roster coming in September. The various examples in the NFL have shown how UDFAs rise into prominent roles and become legendary players for different franchises. The Bucs also have done a decent job of developing their talents and adding them to their rosters.

In 2024, the Bucs signed 13 rookies as undrafted free agents. Nine of them spent quality time in either the active roster or the practice squad. Furthermore, four of them appeared in regular-season games, and six still remain with the team ahead of the 2025 season.

For the UDFA of 2025 from Sanders’ family, the latest reports confirm that the Buccaneers’ coaching personnel were impressed by the safety’s performance in the rookie mini-camp. Head coach Todd Bowles noted his impression in an exclusive interview later.

Shilo Sanders wants to take Bucs to the next level

As an undrafted free agent who got a second chance through the Buccaneers, Shilo is extremely grateful for the support and opportunity.

Shilo Sanders
Shilo Sanders (Image via Bleacher Report)

In the aforementioned interview, Shilo admitted that the Bucs were the first team to call him and offer him a spot to fight for the roster. He confessed that he is extremely grateful for them. Moreover, he confirmed that he will be doing everything in his power to help the Buccaneers win.

The Bucs was the first team to call and they gave me a chance before anyone. So I’m forever grateful to the Buccaneers, and I’m just going to do everything I can to help this team win — everything in my power to help this team win — and that’s all I want.

The Buccaneers have long forgotten their disastrous past. The Bucs had a winless inaugural season and a 14-season-long losing record from 1983 to 1996, earning the moniker of a perennially losing team. Although they won a championship in 2002, they failed to win one playoff game until their Super Bowl title in 2020. In the past four years, the Bucs have established themselves as contenders and one of the most formidable teams in the relatively weak NFC South.

The Bucs are not projected to be winners this season, but a division title is expected. They had one of the top five scoring offenses last season, and it has become a bit more prominent with the addition of Emeka Egbuka.

They also brought in Haason Reddick in the free agency, adding a bit more color and strength to the roster. A key concern remains in their fourth new OC in five years, taking over for Liam Coen. Despite an easier schedule, thanks to their easy division, the Bucs have some strong games against the Bills, Rams, and Texans on away road.

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