Shilo Sanders, the son of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, recently showcased his talent in the East-West Shrine Game, earning praise for his performance. Afterwards, his anger was directed at people who have been quick to question how effective he can be. His brother, Shedeur Sanders, is a generational college quarterback on track to become the next first round NFL draft pick. Shilo’s path to playing at the highest level is not so clear. Still, he is upbeat and encouraged, as he’s one step further in the direction of his dream.
Shilo Sanders's impressive statistics from last season speak volumes about his abilities on the field. His strong senior season has Shilo with 67 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two pass deflections. He really impresses with his physicality as a player who enjoys the contact. On November 9, 2024, he scored his brightest moment. He capped the day by returning a fumble six yards for a touchdown, busting out the famous “Deion Shuffle” in the end zone to clinch a 41-27 win against Texas Tech. Shilo isn’t expected to go in the first round, like his brother. He’s hell-bent on making his own journey in the NFL.
Shilo spent the last six weeks preparing for Colorado's Pro Day, honing his skills, particularly on the technical aspects of running the 40-yard dash. While he may not have competed in any of the combine workouts, his dedication to proving he’s improved and ready is clear. The Big 12 Pro Day provided him with a perfect opportunity to do just that. He personally engaged radio stations, social media influencers and a ready and willing base of young fans.
"I just care about what the scouts think. I care about what Coach Prime thinks, what my family thinks, and I got a good circle around me, so I really don't let that stuff affect me. It's just really stupid how people always try to destroy you, and I don't do nothing bad to nobody." – Shilo Sanders
Shilo’s valuation is currently set at just $1 million on On3.com, underscoring his possible worth in the world of professional football. Despite not having the same level of anticipation surrounding his draft prospects as Shedeur, Shilo remains positive about his future. His brother's success is a source of pride for him, having witnessed Shedeur's dedication to becoming an elite player.
"He's a good guy. I need to make sure he's telling these scouts we need to play on the same team. We're still a package deal." – Shilo Sanders
Shilo’s relationship with her parents has long been an important aspect of her story. Deion Sanders often jokingly ranks his children on social media, turning dynamic tension into actual content. Shilo as competition, but he insists that this does not outweigh their connection as brothers.
"Right now, there's a tight competition between us to see who's No.1 in the son rankings," – Shilo Sanders
Shilo’s teammates and coaches have come to love his passion and energy on the field. While Herman Smith III thinks that Shilo is a perfect example of how to have fun in football, he’s intensely focused on developing himself as an artist.
"Shilo is a good player and a good human being. He brings that great energy. In football, you have to have fun. He's the definition of having fun." – Herman Smith III
While his pursuit of the NFL has been difficult, it has been very gratifying. Those who doubt shouldn’t count out Shilo, as the naysayers won’t bother him. Each day he continues to work on getting better himself.
"I know what I have to do, and I'm going to do it." – Shilo Sanders
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