Shilo Sanders has finally found some peace after months of navigating his challenging journey in the NFL. Coach Prime’s son has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent after being overlooked by teams during the draft. Shilo understands that his journey won’t be a fairytale filled with heroics and happy endings. Instead, he has experienced sleepless nights following a difficult season at Colorado, watching his stock plummet. As a safety for the Buffs, he challenged the NFL scouts who did not invite him to the combine by showcasing his skills during his pro day in Boulder. But did that help him secure a spot in any round of the draft? An awkward silence lingers in response.
But who cares! Shilo, like his father, understands that life doesn’t always go according to plan. Living means navigating through changes, which aren’t always pleasant, and continuing to move forward. He made that choice—no regrets, no ifs or buts. Shilo sets his sights on a new goal: proving himself worthy of a spot on the team’s final 53-man roster. His standard undrafted rookie contract offers him the advantage of a three-year agreement at the league’s minimum salary, along with the opportunity to shine as one of the team’s key defensive players in the years to come. It’s a strategic gamble, and he knows he must win.
“I’m excited, man, to just get ready. Get ready before I even get there. So, I can get there in shape. I can run all day. I’m just feeling good, you know,” Shilo Sanders reflected on his serious off-season redemption ahead of a new stint. This is the first time his father didn’t play a role in his fate. It’s his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and his pre-draft prospects that got the job done. Now, it’s up to him if he can make it to the team from the training camp this year.
‘I feel really good about Tampa, bro. It’s just a new place for me to go. I’ve been in Colorado for about 2 years now. In my whole life, we’ve always moved a lot,” Shilo Sanders continues, looking back at his life pattern and feeling bold to face every battle, “I’ve been really blessed with a whole life of change, you know, so this next change upcoming is really cool. I’m looking forward to it. But man, I’m ready to get on the road.”
Bucs GM Jason Licht revealed that they (coach Todd Bowles) were in a bit of doubt before taking him in. However, after his agent made some solid ground, they looked at each other and nodded. Shilo knew the looming uncertainty till the last minute and decided to dodge it with grace. “We got the moving companies coming this weekend, and we should pick out the spot tonight. So, Tampa, I’m going to be there soon,” Shilo sent a gentle ultimatum to Bowles and the team.
He is here to say it’s not easy to replace the genes he carries. But one thing about his new endeavor kept him at a crossroads in the past.
Shilo Sanders has to fight off some huge obstacles to sustain herself in Tampa
For Shilo, it’s not just about athleticism; it’s also about adjusting to the drastic weather change in Tampa. The dry air at an elevation of 5,400 feet in Boulder is a highly sought-after environment for athletes. In contrast, Tampa experiences sweltering temperatures of around 90 degrees coupled with high humidity, which can be overwhelming for any athlete before they even lace up their shoes. Fortunately, Shilo found an early escape. He arrived ahead of time and acclimated himself to the Florida weather a bit.
Image Credits: Imago
In Boulder, it’s pretty easy to spend hours practicing and honing your craft, which demands constant physical toil. But in Tampa, that will no longer be the case. Players need to be hyperactive and psychologically prepared to fight against the natural adversities in their camps. Now the question it begs is how much it would be feasible for a player coming fresh off an ACL tear and broken forearm. “I’m built for Florida,” Sanders assured. “Hoping my Prime Time genetics kick in.” Sure, it will kick. The sportsman’s resilience will speak volumes. Despite all the injury setbacks and the piles of penalties, Shilo bagged 67 tackles under his belt.
So, he knows the math. He just needs to chisel it out at its best when the situation demands. “It’s not really the heat, it’s the humidity,” Shilo voiced legit concern to the CU cameraman. “You walk out of the hotel and it’s literally just—you feel like you gotta take a shower.” But rest assured, he will walk through the fire and come out a conqueror. Read the last name again!
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