Colorado's Shilo Sanders, Deion's Son, Opts into EA Sports College Football 25

Colorado defensive back Shilo Sanders has signed an NIL deal with EA Sports in advance of the company's summer release of College Football 25, joining a host of other high-profile college football players who have made similar agreements.

Pete Nakos of On3 provided the scoop.

"Working with the NIL marketplace Opendorse, the college football video game franchise is signing side NIL deals with some of the sport's top athletes to promote the game.

"Those deals are not $600, rather each agreement is different and based on the athlete's NIL value – basically, a negotiated marketing deal. A source has told On3 that a list of 100 priority athletes has been pieced together the last few weeks ahead of Thursday's announcement."

Other players who have made these agreements include Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Sanders' teammate, wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter.

Athletes who do not fall into the aforementioned "priority" category can still be picked by EA "to have their NIL featured in the game," per Nakos. In turn, those athletes will receive $600 and a game copy.

Sanders is one Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders' three sons. He has naturally been under a bright spotlight ever since his high-profile father took over the Buffaloes program before last season.

Sanders, a safety entering his final collegiate season, amassed 67 tackles (54 solo) and four forced fumbles in 2023. He also returned an 80-yard interception for a touchdown.

Sanders and his brother, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, left Jackson State for Colorado alongside their father following the 2022 season.

The Buffaloes, who were 1-11 in 2022, started the year 3-0 but went just 1-8 in Pac-12 play. Now the Buffaloes are headed to the Big 12 for a greater challenge after 10 teams departed the Pac-12. The spotlight will still be on the Buffaloes and the Sanders trio, who begin their 2024 campaign on Aug. 31 against North Dakota State.