Perhaps the most famous rookie at Tampa Bay Buccaneers minicamp was one who didn't even have his name called at the podium. Shilo Sanders brings with him a name recognition that is already creating a ton of buzz, one that he's wasting no time trying to back up.
Whether on the field or in the locker room, Shilo is doing all the right things to carve out a spot for himself on the Bucs' roster. He's been more humble than anyone would have expected given all that happened at Colorado and during the draft with the Sanders family, but minding his manners hasn't sanded off the swaggering edges he was born with.
Sanders spoke with the media at rookie minicamp and channeled his father in ways that will excite and intrigue Bucs fans.
"I always end up doing something great so I just know it’s going to happen and whatever’s happening currently is to learn or to grow from," Shilo said while talking about going undrafted this year.
That might be a statement bustling with confidence and swagger -- which is exactly what the Bucs could use in the safety room -- but it's not one that should be misconstrued as overly braggadocious. Shilo was quick to display the humbleness he's shown since arriving at Bucs camp, noting that he plans on backing up his talk on the field.
Shilo Sanders is channeling his father, but isn't letting it go to his head
“The Bucs were the first team to call and they gave me a chance before anyone. So I’m forever grateful to the Buccaneers, and I’m just going to do everything I can to help this team win -- everything in my power to help this team win -- and that’s all I want.”
This echoes the tune Sanders has been singing ever since joining the Bucs, and it's music to everyone's ears. He still has a tough road ahead to try and make the final roster, but he's managing to thread the needle perfectly so far.
Rather than come in as the entitled son of a Hall of Famer some might have expected, Shilo has subverted those assumptions and is looking the part of a guy who could have a real impact. He has a clear path thanks to the lack of safety depth the Bucs have, and at the very least could make it as a special teams guy.
Everything we've heard about him so far has been great and the fact that he's backing it up seems to be a great sign of things to come.
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