Out of sight, out of mind. Ever since the College Football season ended, Shilo Sanders has a backseat in mainstream discourse relative to others in the clan. Perhaps he always did, but it’s definitely become more prominent. Brother Shedeur Sanders has been at the epicenter of the NFL Draft, and dad Deion Sanders– well, he’s just Deion. When’s he ever out of the limelight? But even he signed a new contract at Colorado, which generated attention and fervor. Shilo’s been a bit of an afterthought. But he’s been working in the shadows, sowing seeds and manifesting a career in the NFL. Turns out, he may be reaping the rewards after all.

Safety Shilo Sanders wasn’t quite blessed with the freakish athleticism of Deion. He’s been putting in the effort to make up for the short stick of the gene pool, though. After not being extended an invite to the NFL Combine, Shilo put his head down and is grinding all the way towards Pro Day. But between now and Pro Day, it seemed like there were no franchises that would show interest in his services. Shilo’s own demeanor on social media dictated that Pro Day was going to be his one shot. However, that’s not the case. In an intriguing revelation, Shilo Sanders has had at least one interview with a front office in the NFL. An interview that he proclaims went really positively. 

It’s difficult to assess what’s more pleasantly surprising. Shilo actually landing an interview, or the team that he landed said interview with. For a player expected to go late on Day 3 or even undrafted, all 32 franchises are on the board. But if Shilo Sanders had the pick of the bunch as his next landing spot, he’d probably choose this one he just spoke to and apparently impressed. How does teaming up with Reed Blankenship, Cooper DeJean, and Quinyon Mitchell in the secondary sound, with Vic Fangio calling the defense?

In a video posted to the Deion Sanders Jr.-led Well Off Media platform, his half-brothers Shedeur and Shilo Sanders can be seen engaged in conversation with another public figure. That would be Gillie Da Kid, podcaster and avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. The team that Shilo Sanders told him he had just interviewed with. “I did a good Eagles interview. Had a nice interview with them,” said Shilo, nodding his head up and down with a sly grin on his face. Exuding a kinda confidence you only have when the pieces are falling in place. “I know you did,” replied Gillie, implying he’s tapped in with the franchise. “I just want to go against Shilo one time!” chimed in Shedeur. He doesn’t have to worry about having no takers and going undrafted, but Shedeur doesn’t have the potential opportunity of lining up for the reigning Super Bowl champs either!

Does an interview with the Eagles equate to Shilo Sanders looking for houses in Philly? Absolutely not. Landing an interview is probably just one of the perks that being the son of football royalty gets you. But hey, at least it’s something. Prior to this, there’d been near radio silence on Shilo’s prospects in the league. With Pro Day approaching, he’ll hope to back the verbal he dished out with a good showing in cleats and pads. Some positivity around his future will definitely boost his confidence on the day. Not that Shilo needs any, as his mom Pilar Sanders reinforced.

Shilo Sanders receives words of encouragement from Pilar Sanders

If you think Deion Sanders is a doting father, his ex-wife Pilar Sanders isn’t far behind. She often traveled up to Boulder to show love and support to her two sons. As Shedeur and Shilo now approach the most crucial 3 or so weeks of their life between now and the Draft, Pilar had some words for the pair.

Over on her IG, Pilar Sanders shared a montage that included pictures and videos of her alongside Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, as well as daughter Shelomi. Superimposed over the montage was text that read, “Confident Ladies Produce Confident Babies. No Apologies!” Pilar captioned this post with a rather powerful message. “PRESSURE is a PRIVILEGE plus our FAV PASTIME 😘😘😘” it said.

Pressure is synonymous with Shilo Sanders at this point. The pressure to live up to his father’s success, pressure to deliver on Pro Day and heck- even pressure off-field. They say it makes diamonds. Guess we’ll find out soon enough, as will the Eagles and any other franchises seeking to take a punt at him. Hoping Shilo is a late bloomer.