There's always a handful of players that fans get attached to during training camp, for whatever reason.
Said players can range anywhere from a team's first-round draft pick to a little-known UDFA that's busting his tail to make the roster. There's no science behind it and honestly, it adds a fun layer when it comes to analyzing training camp.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly have its own set of training camp darlings in 2025 and hands down, the most popular of them all is UDFA rookie Shilo Sanders.
Sanders has been one of camp's bigger talking points among fans ever since the Bucs brought him on board after the draft. He's out there signing autographs and taking pictures with fans after just about every single open practice, showcasing his popularity.
While all that's fun and cool, it doesn't mean he's going to make the team. Sanders is a safety and while there are a couple of backup jobs to grab, guys like Kaevon Merriweather and J.J. Roberts are giving Sanders a run for his money.
But at the same time, even with their ascending play, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles still sees a world where Sanders makes the Bucs' 53-man roster once cuts come at the end of August.
“He’s coming along. He’s getting the scheme down," Bowles told reporters after Thursday's practice. "He’s made plays like everybody else back there. There are a few tests that come up during the preseason – Tuesday night was one, and the other three preseason games and practices will be others. He’s got a chance to make it.”
Sanders impressed during OTAs and minicamp, so it's good to hear he's carried that over into training camp. The Bucs will partake in their fourth padded practice on Friday before taking it a little easy during Saturday's practice. Then, it's two days off before the prep work for Bucs' first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans begins.
There, Sanders will have a joint practice and a game to show how much he's learned and what he can do on the field. It'll be interesting to see if he ends up as one of the long-shot UDFAs to make the team and there will be plenty of happy Bucs fans if he does.
