Shilo Sanders reveals where he improved this offseason

Shilo Sanders revealed he wanted to use his instincts more on the football field and that’s where he’s improved going into 2024.

The Colorado safety is ready to run it back with the Buffaloes, brother Shedeur Sanders and father and head coach Deion Sanders. Perhaps being instinctual will give Shilo Sanders the extra edge on defense.

Colorado’s unit certainly struggled last year, but Sanders is ready to put that behind him.

“I feel like since last year, I’m just watching film of last year, how everything went down,” Sanders said on 2Legendary. “I feel I could have definitely did a better (job of) just using instincts because football is a game of inches.”

Sanders alluded to some hesitation in 2024 but wants to really on his gut feeling, so to speak.

“I’ll be like right there and I feel like if I just use my instincts like my prime time instincts that’s ingrained in us,” Sanders began. “I’m saying it will get there, make it happen, but I feel like just you know, I feel way more comfortable now, I feel way smarter. 

“Because that year of extra experiences is  definitely good. And so playing at that level because you know, we came from Jackson State and then before I was at South Carolina, but you were at Jackson State and just getting a year, you know, what people perceive is just a big time ball again … Instincts though. Just using what I studied during the week and going. Just pressing the gas.”

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In 2023, Sanders had 70 total tackles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. He was also credited with three passes defended and four forced fumbles. He also has plenty of experience, having previously played at South Carolina and Jackson State.

That strong season from Sanders came in what was, overall, a bad year for the Colorado defense. The Buffaloes were 124th in scoring defense, giving up 34.8 points per game. In the process, Colorado was also 130th in total defense, giving up 453.3 yards per game, and 127th in passing defense, giving up 276.9 passing yards per game.

Sanders is gonna be relied upon to help fix those issues but it, ultimately, is going to fall on the shoulders of Robert Livingston. In his first season with the program, Livingston comes over from the NFL and should help to both develop and scheme up a stronger defense.