Shilo Sanders knows the odds—and he’s doing everything he can to beat them.
At Colorado’s NFL Showcase on April 4, Sanders showed up with a chip on his shoulder. No invite to the Combine. A quiet senior season by comparison. Twenty-five years old. Plenty of reasons for NFL scouts to keep his name low on the board. But none of that stopped the Buffaloes safety from putting in work.
He clocked a solid 4.52 in the 40-yard dash and spent time talking with Steelers scout Kelvin Fisher, a seasoned vet who knows talent when he sees it. It wasn’t just a handshake-and-smile moment either—Sanders looked locked in. You could feel it: he knows this is his one shot.
An AP photo of veteran Steelers scout with West Coast experience Kelvin Fisher at Colorado pro day today. He’s chatting here with safety Shilo Sanders, son of Deion and older brother of Shedeur.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) April 4, 2025
(📸David Zalubowski/AP) pic.twitter.com/hROREUNNHG
Even if Sanders doesn’t get drafted—and let’s be real, it’s looking like a UDFA route—he’s laid the foundation for a shot at a training camp roster. In 2024, he tallied 67 total tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and two pass breakups. Not eye-popping numbers, but steady. And the man’s mindset? Even more impressive.
“It does get aggravating... I care about what the scouts think, what Coach Prime thinks, what my family thinks,” Sanders said at the Shrine Bowl. That circle he mentioned? It’s why he still has a chance.
Teams like the Steelers could use a gritty, mature depth piece with special teams upside. Don’t be shocked if Shilo carves out a role the hard way.
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