Shilo Sanders Says He Wants to Be NFL All-Pro on Special Teams as Bucs Rookie

Shilo Sanders has set lofty expectations for himself heading into his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Speaking to The Athletic's Mike Jones, Sanders explained his goal for 2025 is to make the All-Pro team on special teams.

"I want to be All-Pro special teams," Sanders said. "Show the coaches I could play, and that I play hard and be physical and earn their trust, make it on the field (defensively) one day."

While most of the attention in the 2025 draft was on his brother, Shilo quietly went through the seven-round event without hearing his name called. The 25-year-old wasted no time after the draft ended, signing with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent.

Sanders played six seasons in college from 2019 to 2024, with his last four years spent playing for his father at Jackson State (2021 to '22) and Colorado (2023 to '24).

The first step for Sanders to achieve his goal is making the Bucs roster out of training camp and preseason. Their first unofficial depth chart going into Saturday's preseason opener has Sanders as fourth-string safety.

Head coach Todd Bowles told Jones that Sanders is "coming along" and has a "chance" to make the 53-man roster.

“He’s coming along,” Bowles said. "He’s getting the scheme down. He has made plays like everybody else back there. There are a few tests that come up during the preseason. … The three preseason games and practices will be others. He’s got a chance to make it."

Despite facing an uphill battle, Sanders appears to be doing all the right things to show the coaching staff he deserves an opportunity. His next big step will come on Saturday night when the Bucs host the Tennessee Titans.

You don't have to go far back to find the last time a rookie made the All-Pro team. Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers was a first-team selection in 2024 after a historic debut season.