The Truth About Shilo Sanders' 40-Yard Dash Time: Did He Beat Prime Time's Record?

The question of speed in the Sanders family is a constant source of fascination for NFL fans and scouts, and the spotlight recently landed on Colorado safety Shilo Sanders. As of today, December 11, 2025, the official and most widely accepted 40-yard dash time for Shilo Sanders is 4.52 seconds, recorded during the Colorado Buffaloes' Pro Day event. This time, while respectable for an NFL safety prospect, sparked immediate debate and controversy, particularly when compared to the legendary speed of his father, the Hall of Famer Deion "Prime Time" Sanders.

The quest for the perfect 40-time is crucial for defensive backs, and Shilo's performance has been scrutinized from every angle, with multiple conflicting reports emerging from the Pro Day. This article breaks down the official numbers, the hand-timed claims, and puts his speed in context with his elite family lineage and his potential as an NFL Draft pick.

Shilo Sanders: Full Biography and Key Statistics

Shilo Sanders is a hard-hitting safety and one of the most prominent NFL Draft prospects from the University of Colorado, largely due to his aggressive playing style and, of course, his familial connection to Coach Prime. His journey to the NFL Draft has been unconventional, following his father to three different collegiate programs.

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• Full Name: Shilo Sanders
• Date of Birth: February 9, 2000
• Hometown: Canton, Texas
• Position: Safety (S)
• Height: 6' 0" (1.83 m)
• Weight: 195–196 lbs (88–89 kg)
• College Career:
  • University of South Carolina (2019–2020)
  • Jackson State University (2021–2022)
  • University of Colorado (2023–Present)
• Key College Stats (Colorado): Over two seasons, he recorded 59 total tackles, 12 pass deflections, and 5 interceptions, establishing himself as a defensive leader for the Buffaloes.
• NFL Draft Status: Projected NFL Draft prospect, with his official Pro Day measurements being a critical part of his scouting profile.

The Official 40-Yard Dash Time Controversy Explained

The 40-yard dash is the premier measurement of straight-line speed for NFL prospects, and for Shilo Sanders, his Pro Day performance in front of NFL scouts became a talking point almost immediately. The controversy stems from a difference between the electronically-timed results and the hand-timed results, a common issue compounded by the high-profile nature of the Sanders name.

The Two Reported Pro Day Times

At the Colorado Pro Day, Shilo Sanders ran the 40-yard dash twice, a standard practice to ensure accuracy and to allow the athlete to improve on their first attempt. The official times recorded were:

1. First Attempt: 4.52 seconds
2. Second Attempt: 4.59 seconds

The 4.52-second time is generally considered his best, electronically-timed result and the one most frequently cited by NFL Draft analysts and scouting reports. This time is solid for a safety, demonstrating the necessary closing speed and range to play the position at the professional level.

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The "4.4" Hand-Timed Claims

Despite the electronic timing, a major point of contention arose when hand-timed results from scouts and members of the Sanders camp began to circulate. Some reports, including those promoted by his older brother, Deion Sanders Jr., claimed that Shilo actually ran a time closer to the 4.4-second range, specifically a hand-timed 4.48 seconds. This difference of a tenth of a second is massive in the context of the 40-yard dash, where it can mean the difference between an early-round pick and a later-round selection.

Hand-timing is inherently less accurate than the modern electronic timing system used at the NFL Combine and Pro Days, which is why the 4.52 seconds remains the official figure used for his draft evaluation. The debate highlights the pressure on the Sanders family to live up to the "speed" brand established by their father.

Comparing Shilo's Speed to Deion 'Prime Time' and Shedeur Sanders

The true measure of Shilo's speed is often framed against the legendary numbers posted by his father, Deion Sanders, and the estimated time of his brother, quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This comparison provides the ultimate context for the Sanders family's athletic prowess.

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Shilo Sanders (Safety): 4.52 Seconds

Shilo's 4.52-second time is a good, functional speed for a safety. Safeties are often judged more on their instincts, tackling ability, and coverage range than pure straight-line speed. His ability to hit 21.5 MPH in-game, as reported, suggests his "football speed" is excellent, which is often more important than a one-off sprint time.

Deion 'Prime Time' Sanders (Cornerback/Returner): 4.27 Seconds

Deion Sanders' 40-yard dash time is one of the most famous in NFL history. At the 1989 NFL Combine, "Prime Time" reportedly clocked an astonishing 4.27 seconds before electronically-timed systems were fully implemented. This time is still considered elite, placing him among the fastest players ever to run the dash. Shilo's time is 0.25 seconds slower than his father's legendary mark, meaning Shilo did not beat Prime Time's record.

The difference is significant, but it also reflects the difference in their positions: Deion was a shutdown cornerback and elite return specialist who relied on pure track speed, while Shilo is a more physical, downhill safety.

Shedeur Sanders (Quarterback): Estimated 4.63–4.8 Seconds

Shilo's younger brother, Shedeur Sanders, is a star quarterback and a projected high NFL Draft pick. As a quarterback, the 40-yard dash is less critical, yet his estimated time is useful for comparison. Most scouting reports place Shedeur's 40-yard dash time in the 4.63 to 4.8-second range. This makes Shilo the second-fastest of the three prominent football-playing Sanders men, slotting him between the elite speed of his father and the functional mobility of his quarterback brother.

Topical Authority: Shilo Sanders' Speed in the NFL Context

While Shilo Sanders' 4.52 seconds may not be a headline-grabber like a sub-4.4 time, it is a perfectly acceptable number for a strong safety prospect. The average 40-yard dash time for safeties in the NFL Combine typically falls between 4.45 and 4.6 seconds.

His speed is complemented by other key athletic traits:

• In-Game Speed: The reported 21.5 MPH in-game speed is a crucial metric, as it demonstrates that his track speed translates directly to the field.
• Instincts and Positioning: Scouts note that his high football IQ, instincts, and positioning allow him to play faster than his raw 40-time suggests. This is a common trait for successful safeties who rely on anticipation rather than simply catching up to plays.
• Measurements: His measurements of 6'0" and 195 lbs give him the ideal size for a modern NFL safety, allowing him to be physical in the box while still possessing the range to cover deep.

In conclusion, the official and most reliable 40-yard dash time for Shilo Sanders is 4.52 seconds. While this time is significantly slower than his father's iconic 4.27-second sprint, it is a strong number that confirms his status as a legitimate NFL Draft prospect. The speed debate only adds to the intrigue surrounding the Colorado Buffaloes star as he prepares for the next level of his football career.