Speed in the Sanders family is a birthright. It’s a legacy. But when it comes to Shilo Sanders 40 time, the conversation usually gets a little messy. Most fans expect every son of "Prime Time" to inherit that 4.27 lightning, yet football isn’t that simple.
Honestly, the draft cycle for Shilo was a rollercoaster of numbers. One day you’re hearing a 4.4, the next it’s a high 4.5. It’s enough to make any scout's head spin. But if you look at the tape from the Colorado Pro Day in April 2025, the reality finally surfaced.
The Numbers That Actually Mattered
Scouts are picky. They don't care about what your dad ran in 1989. They care about what you’re doing right now on the turf in Boulder. Shilo knew this, especially after not getting that coveted NFL Combine invite. He basically brought the combine to him.
During the Colorado "NFL Showcase" Pro Day, Shilo Sanders clocked an official 4.52-second 40-yard dash.
It wasn't a world-beater, but it was solid. His second attempt was a bit slower at 4.59. Naturally, the Sanders camp had their own stopwatches going—Deion Sanders Jr. mentioned some scouts caught him at a 4.47. In the world of the NFL, those hundredths of a second are the difference between a mid-round pick and being an undrafted free agent (UDFA).
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Breaking Down the Showcase Splits
It’s not just about the finish line. Coaches look at the "10-yard split" to see how a safety explodes out of his stance.
- 10-Yard Split: 1.60 seconds.
- 20-Yard Split: 2.65 seconds.
- Broad Jump: 9 feet, 5 inches.
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.40 seconds.
He’s a physical player. You see it when he’s coming downhill to hit a running back. That 4.52 is fast enough to cover ground in the Big 12, but the NFL is a different beast. For a safety who's 6'0" and roughly 195 pounds, these numbers suggest he's a "box safety" rather than a true "centerfield" ball hawk.
Why 4.52 Surprised the Critics
Before the Pro Day, the rumors were brutal. People were talking about 4.7. They were saying he was too slow for the pro level. Shilo even joked about it, saying he wanted a 4.4 so his dad would buy him a new "whip."
He didn't get the car, but he proved he belongs on a roster.
The context here is key. Shilo was coming off a broken forearm during the 2024 season (that Nebraska game was rough). Being able to hit a 4.52 after a season-altering injury is impressive. It shows the grit that "Coach Prime" always talks about.
Comparing the Sanders Speed Legacy
Let’s be real—nobody is catching Deion. But how does Shilo stack up against his brother Shedeur or the other top safeties?
- Deion Sanders: 4.27 (The Gold Standard)
- Shilo Sanders: 4.52 (The Physical Enforcer)
- Shedeur Sanders: Usually sits in the 4.6 to 4.7 range (The Processor)
Among the 2025 safety class, times ranged from 4.37 to 4.59. Shilo landed right in the middle of the pack. He isn't the fastest guy on the field, but he's far from the slowest.
The "Old School" Safety Dilemma
Deion often calls Shilo an "old school" player. What does that mean for his draft stock? It means he's a dog. He’s a hitter. In a league that is increasingly protecting offensive players, Shilo plays with a level of aggression that is becoming rare.
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Expert scouts, like those over at Steelers Depot, noted that his footwork can be "clunky" and he’s sometimes "slow to turn" when working vertically. This is where the 40 time matters. If a safety lacks elite recovery speed, his technique has to be perfect.
Shilo relies on his instincts. He reads the quarterback’s eyes and triggers downhill. When he hits, the ball carrier feels it. He recorded 70 tackles in 2023, leading the team. That's not speed—that's positioning and desire.
From Boulder to the Buccaneers
The road wasn't easy. Shilo went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, which was a bit of a shock to the "Buffs" faithful but expected by many analysts who worried about his age (he turned 25 in Feb 2025) and his man-coverage limitations.
He eventually signed as a UDFA with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His speed was enough to get him through the door. Once you’re in the door, the 40-yard dash time doesn't matter anymore. It’s about whether you can cover a tight end on third-and-short or blow up a screen pass.
Actionable Insights for Players and Fans
If you're an aspiring defensive back or just a fan trying to understand these metrics, here is what we can learn from Shilo's journey:
- Technique Over Pure Speed: Shilo proved that even if you aren't a 4.3 guy, you can still compete if you master your "start" and your 10-yard explosion.
- Film Still Rules: Despite the 4.52, his "several years of film" (as Deion put it) is what ultimately earned him a professional contract.
- Special Teams is the Secret Path: For safeties with Shilo's profile, the 40 time is just a ticket to play special teams. That’s where he had to prove his worth to the Bucs' coaching staff.
The next time you hear someone debating Shilo Sanders' speed, remember it’s not about the 40. It’s about the 10 yards between him and the guy with the ball. He gets there fast enough to make it hurt.
To truly understand Shilo's value, look past the stopwatch and watch his 80-yard interception return against Colorado State. That wasn't just speed; it was a football player making a football play.
Next Steps for Tracking Shilo's Career:
- Monitor the Buccaneers' preseason defensive snap counts to see if Shilo is carving out a role in sub-packages.
- Review his special teams "gunner" stats, as this is the most likely path for a 4.5-range safety to stay on an active NFL roster.