South Carolina defensive back Shilo Sanders not only plays the same position that his famous father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, once did, but now he has his number. At least the No. 21 that “Prime Time” wore in the NFL.
Shilo Sanders, a 6-foot, 190-pound freshman, took the number previously worn by starting safety Jamyest Williams, a junior who left the team after four games with plans to redshirt this season, then transfer.
Shilo Sanders posted on his Instagram story that “Big 21 is back.” He wore No. 21 on his jersey at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, but opted for No. 12 for the Gamecocks’ first four games until Williams’ departure. The three-star football recruit has seen action in only one game this season, making one tackle against Charleston Southern.
At Florida State, where he earned All-America honors, Deion wore No. 2 before moving on to the NFL, where he had No. 21 for most of his 14-year pro career, though he did at one time wear No. 37. Besides playing defensive back, Deion was a kick and punt return specialist and occasionally played on offense, starring for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens.