The Shocking Truth: Which NFL Teams Do The Sanders Boys Play For In 2025?

The question of "who does the Sanders boys play for" has an entirely new, majorly updated answer for the 2025 season, one that marks the end of an era for the Colorado Buffaloes and the beginning of a new one in the NFL. As of December 2025, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and safety Shilo Sanders are no longer playing college football, having successfully made the leap to the professional ranks. Their transition from the college spotlight under their father, Coach Deion Sanders, to the NFL gridiron is the biggest story of the year for the Sanders family.

The sensational journey that began at Jackson State and peaked at Colorado has officially moved to Sunday afternoons. The two brothers, who were the cornerstone of the "Prime Time" movement in Boulder, now represent different teams in the National Football League, continuing their father's legacy at the highest level of the sport. The answer to the query has shifted from a college team to two separate NFL franchises.

Shedeur and Shilo Sanders: Complete Player Profiles and Career Trajectories

The "Sanders Boys" refers to the two sons of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders who played under him in college. Their careers are intrinsically linked, moving together from an HBCU powerhouse to a Power Five program before entering the NFL.

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Shedeur Sanders (Quarterback)

• Current NFL Team (2025): Cleveland Browns
• Position: Quarterback (QB)
• NFL Draft: 2025 NFL Draft, 5th Round, 144th Overall Pick
• College Career: Colorado Buffaloes (2023–2024), Jackson State Tigers (2021–2022)
• Key College Stats (Colorado): Passer Rating of 160.4, 7,364 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, 13 interceptions (in 24 games)
• Notable Awards: Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2024), Deacon Jones Trophy (2022), Jerry Rice Award (2021)

Shilo Sanders (Safety)

• Current NFL Team (2025): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Position: Safety (DB)
• NFL Draft Status: Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) signing in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle
• College Career: Colorado Buffaloes (2023), Jackson State Tigers (2021–2022), South Carolina Gamecocks (2019)
• Key College Stats (2024): 44 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defended
• Notable Achievements: Integral part of the defensive turnaround at both Jackson State and Colorado.

The NFL Transition: Shedeur and Shilo’s Rookie Season Teams

The biggest update for the 2025 football season is that the Sanders brothers are officially professional athletes, playing for two teams in the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). This new chapter has shifted the focus from the Colorado Buffaloes to the NFL’s AFC North and NFC South divisions.

Shedeur Sanders: The Cleveland Browns Rookie QB

Shedeur Sanders’s draft journey culminated with him being selected by the Cleveland Browns. Despite being a fifth-round pick, his impact in the 2025 season has been immediate and significant. The former Colorado quarterback was quickly thrust into action and has already earned high praise for his performance.

Reports from the team indicate that Shedeur has impressed the coaching staff, leading to speculation and eventual confirmation that he would start for the remainder of the 2025 season. His debut performances showcased the poise and command he became known for in Boulder, earning him the title of Offensive Rookie of the Week early in his professional career.

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This early success with the Browns has sparked optimism among the franchise’s fans, with some analysts and former players, like Cleveland legend Joe Thomas, suggesting that the young quarterback has the potential to become the team’s "franchise guy."

Shilo Sanders: Making His Mark with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While Shedeur was drafted, Shilo Sanders took the undrafted free agent (UDFA) route, signing a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. As a defensive back, Shilo’s journey is a testament to perseverance, as he was ranked as the No. 29 overall safety prospect in his class but was passed over in the seven rounds.

The Buccaneers’ decision to sign Shilo as a priority UDFA suggests they see significant potential in the 6-foot-tall safety. He joined the rookie camp immediately, prepared to make the move from the high altitude of Boulder, Colorado, to the sunny, sea-level climate of Tampa Bay, Florida. His versatility and hard-hitting style, which he displayed prominently at both Jackson State and Colorado, will be key to earning a spot on the 53-man roster or the practice squad.

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The College Journey: From Jackson State to Colorado Buffaloes

To fully understand the current professional status of the Sanders boys, one must look back at their remarkable and unconventional college careers. Their playing days were a direct reflection of their father’s coaching path, creating a unique narrative in modern college football.

The Jackson State Tigers Era (HBCU Dominance)

The journey for both brothers began in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) at Jackson State University (JSU). When Deion Sanders took the head coaching job at the HBCU in 2020, his sons followed him. This period was transformative for the program and for the brothers.

Shedeur Sanders thrived as the starting quarterback, quickly becoming one of the most decorated players in HBCU history. He earned the Deacon Jones Trophy and the Jerry Rice Award, signaling his elite talent. Meanwhile, Shilo anchored the secondary, contributing to the Tigers' back-to-back SWAC championships and Celebration Bowl appearances. Their success brought unprecedented national attention and top-tier recruiting to Jackson State.

The Colorado Buffaloes Move (Power Five Challenge)

In December 2022, when Coach Prime accepted the head coaching position at the University of Colorado Boulder, both Shedeur and Shilo transferred to the Power Five school. Their arrival, along with that of other key transfers like Travis Hunter, instantly put the Colorado Buffaloes on the national map.

The 2023 and 2024 seasons were a whirlwind of media attention and high-stakes football. Shedeur broke numerous school records for passing yards and touchdowns, cementing his status as a legitimate NFL prospect despite the team's overall struggles. Shilo continued to be a physical presence in the secondary, delivering highlight-reel hits and leading the team in tackles on several occasions. Their time at CU was a polarizing, but undeniably impactful, chapter in college football history.

Coach Prime's Perspective: Deion Sanders on His Sons in the NFL

Deion Sanders, now solely focused on coaching the Colorado Buffaloes, has been incredibly supportive and vocal about his sons' transition to the NFL. His commentary has provided a unique, insider perspective on the pressures and realities of the professional game.

Coach Prime was outspoken in defending Shedeur against pre-draft criticism, especially regarding his eventual 5th-round selection. He has consistently shown his pride in their achievements, whether it was Shedeur’s Offensive Rookie of the Week honor with the Browns or Shilo’s determination to earn a roster spot with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.

The father-son dynamic that defined their college careers has evolved into a new, professional one. While they no longer share a sideline, the legacy of the Sanders family in football is now simultaneously being written in Boulder, Cleveland, and Tampa Bay. The answer to "who does the Sanders boys play for" is a strong indication that the next generation of the Sanders family is ready to carve out their own legacy in the National Football League.