Shilo Sanders trying to move up Deion Sanders, Bucs' depth chart
"It felt good," Sanders told the media after the game. "Thank you, God, for putting me in position to even be on the field. I feel like I left some big hits on the table. Next game will be some improvement on my angles, on my tracking because you don't really get to work on it in an NFL practice or you're gonna get kicked out of practice. Seeing a game for the first time in a long time, did some good things. It is what it is."
Shilo Sanders' first NFL game as an undrafted free agent came on the birthday of his father, Deion Sanders. He said he offered his game jersey to his father, but was turned down.
"He didn't want it," Shilo said, laughing. "He's a Hall of Famer. He expects 30 times more. I'm gonna give it to my mom, though. I gotta get like three picks or something (for him)."
Sanders started his college career at South Carolina before joining his father and brother Shedeur at Jackson State for two seasons, graduating from the school in 2023. He was named all-SWAC as a defensive back after the 2021 season. He spent the last two seasons of his college career at Colorado. Now he's hoping to stick in the NFL.
He's also looking to move up the list of his father's children. He was most recently listed as fifth out of five.
The post Shilo Sanders trying to move up Deion Sanders, Bucs' depth chart appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
4 minutes ago
- USA Today
Eagles training camp: Latest on six position battles following the first preseason game
Philadelphia beat Indianapolis 34-27 in the preseason opener, and we're checking out the latest on six early position battles to watch. The Super Bowl champions have their rings and have transitioned back to the practice field for installs and game-like activities at the NovaCare Complex. The Eagles made moves to strengthen some positions and fill pressing roster needs. Philadelphia added ten talented rookies on NFL draft weekend, as well as several high-profile free agents, who will enhance the competition in the coming days. After weeks of waiting for rabid fans, the media, and the NFL, the Eagles kicked off the preseason with a 34-27 win over the Bengals that saw key starters and contributors sit out. Philadelphia has an action-packed week that includes two days of joint practice with the Browns before a Friday preseason game. With the competition heating up, we're looking at the latest on the position battles. Backup running back NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley logged 345 rushing attempts and 2005 yards rushing in the 2024 regular season. After helping the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl, head coach Nick Sirianni and OC Kevin Patullo could be looking to lighten Barkley's load slightly in 2025. Will Shipley produced when given opportunities as a rookie, and A.J. Dillon has always been a physical, reliable dual-threat running back. Shipley had seven carries for 48 yards in the opener (6.9 avg), while Dillon logged five carries for 27 yards and three catches for 27 yards. 3rd WR Spot A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are among the top ten at their positions, but both players missed multiple games in 2024. A reliable third option is a must for an offense that'll see teams shift towards taking away the duo on the outside. Jahan Dotson caught 19 of 33 targets for 216 yards in 17 regular-season games with the Eagles in 2024 after being acquired in a trade from Washington. Dotson's most likely competition will come from Johnny Wilson and undrafted rookie Darius Cooper. Wilson finished the preseason opener with three catches for 73 yards, while Cooper starred, catching six passes for 82 yards and one touchdown. Right guard position Tyler Steen lost training camp battles to Cam Jurgens in 2023 and Mekhi Becton in 2024, but has his best shot at earning the Eagles' right guard position in 2025. Kenyon Green was acquired in the trade for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but he's been getting reps at left guard. Steen was impressive in the opener. Inside linebacker spot Zack Baun is an All-Pro; he'll be the engine that drives the Eagles' defense. He'll need a running mate while Nakobe Dean works to return from a patellar tendon injury that could cost him most of the 2025 season. That leaves first-round pick Jihaad Campbell, second-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and fifth-round pick Smael Mondon Jr. Campbell has been dominant in Eagles practice, while Trotter had six tackles and a QB hit in the opener. Mondon had four tackles. Left cornerback position The Eagles lost Darius Slay (Steelers), James Bradberry (free agent), Avonte Maddox (Lions), and Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings) in free agency and signed Adoree' Jackson. Even with those moves, Philadelphia didn't draft a cornerback until the fifth round when they selected Mac McWilliams out of UCF. Williams (5-10, 191) will add some depth on the outside and in the slot, but he was a fifth-round pick for a reason. Kelee Ringo and Jackson have battled throughout training camp, while Jakorian Bennett was acquired in a trade with the Raiders for Thomas Booker. Safety position The Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston for Kenyon Green, opening up a starting role for Sydney Brown or Tristin McCollum. Brown is a physical safety who is stout on special teams but doesn't operate efficiently in space or match up against elite pass catchers. Enter Andrew Mukuba, a Swiss army knife from Texas who could keep Brown relegated to special team duties. Mukuba can play the slot, operate in space, and play with range, drawing comparisons to Gardner-Johnson. Early on, it's been Brown with the edge, and if the season started today, the third-year safety would get the nod over Makuba, who has battled injuries and inconsistent play. Andre Sam has been solid and is another player to watch.
USA Today
4 minutes ago
- USA Today
Notable Ravens players who are 25 and under heading into the 2025 NFL season
With the preparation for the second preseason game against Dallas, we're looking at Baltimore's notable talent under 25. The Baltimore Ravens have one of the top teams in the NFL, and plenty of young talent to help usher in a Super Bowl window. Most franchises are based on their talent under the age of 25, and the Ravens have several notable, high-profile performers who are still in their prime. With the preparation for the second preseason game against Dallas, we're looking at Baltimore's notable talent under 25. OL Emery Jones: 21 The Ravens selected Jones at No. 91 overall after the offensive tackle spent three seasons at LSU. He was a two-time second-team All-SEC selection. DB Malaki Starks: 21 A two-time All-American and Thorpe Award finalist, Starks appeared in 43 games (42 starts) during his three-year career (2022-24) at Georgia…Helped the Bulldogs finish 15-0 and win the CFP National Championship during the 2022 season as a starting freshman DB Nate Wiggins: 21 Wiggins played in 15 games (six starts) as a rookie in 2024, tallying 32 tackles (24 solo), 1 INT (pick-6), 13 PD, 1 FF, and 1 ST tackles. Wiggins helped Baltimore's defense rank No. 1 against the run (80.1 ypg), No. 2 in sacks (54), and No. 5 (tied) in yards per play allowed (5.2) LB Teddye Buchanan: 22 Appeared in 49 games at LB during his one year (2024) at Cal and four years (2020-23) at UC Davis, totaling 321 tackles (160 solo), nine sacks, 8 INTs (1 INT-TD), 10 PD, 3 FFs, and 1 FR. OLB Mike Green: 22 An All-American at Marshall, in 2024, Green led all FBS players in sacks (17), sack yardage (-144), TFL (22.5), and TFL yardage (-155) for a Marshall team that went 10-3 and won the Sunbelt Conference championship. LB Jay Higgins: 23 An All-American and All-Big 10 selection, Higgins has the look of an under-the-radar player who could end up next to Roquan Smith. Higgins (6-0, 224) started all 13 games in his final season with the Hawkeyes, totaling a team high 124 tackles (53 solo), including 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, nine passes defensed, and four interceptions. OLB Adisa Isaac: 23 Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh are the unquestioned starters, but the Ravens are hoping 2024 third-round pick Adisa Isaac can take the next step. Isaac saw action in four games and played 32 defensive snaps, as his NFL debut was delayed by a hamstring issue, which sidelined him for the Ravens' first two games. RB Keaton Mitchell: 23 Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell says he feels better than he did three years ago. As a rookie, Mitchell led all running backs with at least a dozen attempts in yards per carry (8.4 avg), and he has set personal records in all of his speed tracking analytics this offseason. OL Roger Rosengarten: 23 After alternating snaps in the first three weeks, Rosengarten took over as the Ravens' starting right tackle in Week 4 and never looked back, starting 16 games (including the playoffs). Among offensive tackles who played at least 50% of the snaps, Rosengarten ranked No. 39 at his position, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He was credited with four sacks allowed in 488 pass-blocking snaps. WR LaJohntay Wester: 23 Wester is another of the Colorado speedsters. In his lone season at Colorado after transferring from Florida Atlantic, the smooth and dynamic receiver recorded 74 receptions for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns. His punt return touchdown against Utah further showcased his versatility and playmaking ability. WR Zay Flowers: 24 A 2024 Pro Bowler, Flowers logged his 100th-career reception in his 21st-career game, becoming the fastest player in Ravens history (21 games) to reach the mark. DB Kyle Hamilton: 24 A second-team All-Pro last season, Hamilton started all 17 games for Baltimore in 2024, totaling a career-high 107 tackles (77 solo), two sacks, 4 TFL, 1 INT, 9 PD, 2 FFs, and 1 FR, en route to earning his second-straight Pro Bowl nod…Helped Baltimore's defense rank No. 1 against the run (80.1 ypg), No. 2 in sacks (54), and No. 5 (tied) in yards per play allowed (5.2). Kicker Tyler Loop: 24 Loop went 6-9 on kicks from 50+ yards last season for the Wildcats. LB Trenton Simpson: 24 Simpson was productive over Baltimore's first 11 games, logging 65 tackles (34 solo), but he was a liability in the passing game. Simpson was entirely out of the Ravens' inside-linebacker rotation following the Week 14 bye, and he was limited to special teams during Baltimore's two-game postseason run. Simpson finished the 2024 regular season with 73 tackles (40 solo), including 1.5 sacks, four pass defenses, and one fumble recovery across 17 games. He'll battle special-teams standout Jacob Hummel and fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan. WR Devontez Walker: 24 After contributing primarily on special teams as a rookie, Walker has flashed speed and big-play abilities all summer long. WR Rashod Bateman: 25 Last season, Bateman played in all 17 games (14 starts) for Baltimore in 2024, tallying 45 receptions to go along with career highs in receiving yards (756) and receiving TDs (9)…Recorded three receiving TDs of at least 40 yards, tied for the most such scores in a season by a Raven since at least 2000. DT Travis Jones: 25 A breakout candidate, Jones appeared in all 17 games (15 starts) for Baltimore in 2024, posting a career-high 42 tackles (22 solo), 4 TFL, and one sack. Jones helped Baltimore's defense rank No. 1 against the run (80.1 ypg) and No. 2 in both sacks (54) and fourth-down efficiency (42.9%). OL Daniel Faalele: 25 After moving from offensive tackle to offensive guard, Faalele was named a Pro Bowl alternate after surrendering one sack and 30 pressures in 504 pass-blocking opportunities last season. An off-season working out with Ronnie Stanley should allow Faalele to take the next steps as a run blocker. TE Isaiah Likely: 25 Likely saw action in 16 games (nine starts) for Baltimore in 2024, totaling career highs in receptions (42), receiving yards (477), and receiving TDs (6). Likely became the second-fastest Ravens TE (34 games) to reach double-digit receiving scores in a career, behind only Mark Andrews (28 games). OL Tyler Linderbaum: 25 Linderbaum started at center in all 17 games and earned his second-straight Pro Bowl honor for Baltimore in 2024, blocking for an offense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards per game (424.9), yards per play (6.8 – third-best single-season mark in NFL history).
New York Times
5 minutes ago
- New York Times
Cowboys 53-man roster projection: 5 running backs? A surprise at corner?
The Dallas Cowboys kept most of their top players out of Saturday's preseason opener. As expected, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Tyler Smith did not play. Surprisingly, right guard Tyler Booker also remained on the sideline throughout the 31-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Why didn't the Cowboys play their first-round pick? Advertisement 'There are three games for us so we had a specific plan going into this game of who we wanted to play,' Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. 'There'll be some more guys that play next week. I'm not going to tell you who, but it was more about, just, 'Hey, this was the rotation we wanted to get this week.' 'And we had a pitch count. A lot of our guys on offense had to play longer than we wanted because we only had the six plays (on the first two series). Next week's going to look a little bit different. You'll see some more guys playing next week because that's been part of the plan all along.' The Cowboys enter the final week of training camp in California with about two weeks remaining before their 90-man roster must be trimmed to 53. A few weeks of practices and one preseason game haven't done much to change our projection from last month, but here is our latest update. It wasn't a great preseason Cowboys debut for Joe Milton but that hasn't done anything to change our prediction that he will be Dak Prescott's backup and the only other quarterback to make the initial 53. Milton came out firing Saturday and it led to some inaccuracy and poor decisions. But the coaching staff has repeatedly talked about how he needs to see as many NFL snaps as possible. That's why the expectation is that he's going to play most, if not all, of Dallas' next two preseason games. Dak Prescott Joe Milton Javonte Williams continues to see the most reps with the starters. Miles Sanders has been sidelined with a knee injury, so the door has been opened for rookie Jaydon Blue to get more opportunities with the first team. But then Blue suffered an ankle injury last week that kept him out of practice and Saturday's preseason game. Five is a lot at the position but no one has come close to running away with the No. 1 job. Phil Mafah has been much more noticeable since the pads have come on. Fullback/tight end Hunter Luepke continues to play a variety of roles, making it highly unlikely that he would be part of the roster cuts. Advertisement Javonte Williams Miles Sanders Jaydon Blue Phil Mafah Hunter Luepke Princeton Fant and John Stephens are worthy of making the roster, but this is an area they could go light with hopes of getting some players back on the practice squad. Luepke also being able to help here could impact the final roster numbers. Jake Ferguson suffered a back injury in practice last week but was able to return the next day. Brevyn Spann-Ford has been dealing with an ankle sprain but is no longer in a walking boot. He could be ready to return in the near future. Jake Ferguson Luke Schoonmaker Brevyn Spann-Ford There have been moments throughout camp when undrafted rookie Traeshon Holden has looked good enough to make the roster as the sixth receiver. There have been days recently when Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy and Jalen Cropper could make an argument for that No. 6 spot. But it's very possible that Dallas goes with only five here and it's unlikely that any of those four would jump any of the five listed below. CeeDee Lamb George Pickens Jalen Tolbert KaVontae Turpin Jonathan Mingo The season-ending neck injury for offensive guard Rob Jones changed things. He certainly was on track to make the roster. Dallas didn't play any of their projected offensive line starters against the Rams, unless we're counting Nate Thomas, who could be needed at left tackle if Tyler Guyton (knee) isn't quite ready for the season opener. The Cowboys' starting O-line on Saturday was Thomas at left tackle, T.J. Bass at left guard, Brock Hoffman at center, Saahdiq Charles at right guard and Hakeem Adeniji at right tackle. Charles left the game in the second half with a knee injury. Asim Richards is also in the mix here, but it was too difficult to keep more than 10 with the needs at other positions. Tyler Smith, LG Tyler Booker, RG Cooper Beebe, C Tyler Guyton, LT Terence Steele, RT Brock Hoffman, G/C Ajani Cornelius, OT Nate Thomas, T/G T.J. Bass, G Hakeem Adeniji, OT The final spots came down to Payton Turner, Jay Toia and Perrion Winfrey. The Cowboys could really go with any two of those three. Edge rusher is their deepest position, especially when Micah Parsons is back on the field. Defensive tackle is another story. That remains arguably the team's weakest position. And it's hard to believe that area can be upgraded much at this point. Things could get really ugly this season in the middle of the Dallas defensive line. Micah Parsons, DE Dante Fowler, DE Sam Williams, DE Marshawn Kneeland, DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE Payton Turner, DE Osa Odighizuwa, DT Solomon Thomas, DT Mazi Smith, DT Jay Toia, DT DeMarvion Overshown (knee) is expected to return at some point this season. Until that happens, these five will most likely be who new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has in the middle of his defense. Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn have seen the most first-team reps, but Marist Liufau has been coming on strong. He was Dallas' best player on Saturday. It'll be tough to keep him off the field in Year 2. Advertisement Marist Liufau Kenneth Murray Jack Sanborn Shemar James Damone Clark Not having Trevon Diggs (knee) and Shavon Revel (knee) has made cornerback a major question mark. No one has really emerged at the position beyond DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam. And that's why we are still predicting a veteran addition. Undrafted rookie free-agent Zion Childress has shown some upside, making him the biggest surprise of this entire projection. Caelen Carson has also been sidelined with a knee injury, so making a second-year jump hasn't shown up on the field. The safety position should be solid. Schottenheimer has spoken highly of what he's been seeing from Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson, the expected Week 1 starters. One of the best plays from today's practice: One-handed interception by undrafted rookie CB Zion Childress — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 24, 2025 DaRon Bland, CB Kaiir Elam, CB Caelen Carson, CB Zion Childress, CB Cornerback not currently on the roster Malik Hooker, S Donovan Wilson, S Markquese Bell, S Juanyeh Thomas, S Israel Mukuamu, DB Not much projecting here. They are the only ones at their positions on the roster. Brandon Aubrey, K Bryan Anger, P Trent Sieg, LS (Top photo of Phil Mafah: Harry How / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
