Sterling Shepard

Sterling Shepard just completed his rookie NFL season, and was a starter from the first game. He started along side Odell Beckham, and still managed to get 683 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.  Shepard is from Oklahoma and played at the University of Oklahoma.

Childhood and High School

Shepard is the son of former Sooner and NFL player Derrick Shepard.  He was born in 1993, and grew up in Oklahoma City. He attended Heritage Hall High School, where he was a standout receiver. Over his high school career he ran for 1,115 yards and had 2,335 yards receiving, and a total of 38 touchdowns. His senior year was by far his best, and he was selected to play in the Under Armour All American Game. He also participated in track and finished second in the state in the long jump.

High school highlights

College career

Since his father played at OU it was not very surprising that he chose Oklahoma. As a freshman he played in all 13 games and started four. He had 45 receptions for 621 yards and three touchdowns. He started as a sophomore all but one game, and had 51 receptions for 603 yards and seven touchdowns. He had 911 yards and five scores through seven games as a junior before an injury cut the season short.  As a senior had had a highlights filled season with 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns.

NFL Draft

Shepard was taken with the 40th overall pick, in the second round by the New York Giants.  In may after the draft he signed a four year contract worth $5.94 Million, which includes $3.24 Million guaranteed salary. At the combine he had a 40 time of 4.48, with a 20-yard split of 2.6. His vertical leap was 41 inches, and his broad jump ws 10 foot, three inches at the combine. Shepard is five-foot, 10-inches tall and weights 194 pounds. He was a USA Today All American his senior season.

College highlights

2016 NFL Season

Shepard got off to a good start in the NFL, named a starter before the first game. He had three receptions for 43 yards and caught his first professional touchdown pass in that game.  His most productive game was the second game of the season where ce caught eight passes for 117 yards. Shepard ended the season with 65 receptions for 683 yards and eight touchdowns as he emerged as a promising receiver. Shepard was used mostly on short and intermediate  routes, and he proved to be reliable there. His longest reception of the season was 32 yards. He ran the ball three times for 33 yards. After the season he was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All Rookie Team.  Shepard is known for his quickness and precise route running, which makes him dangerous over the middle.  He had only eight drops in his first NFL season, and was a quality blocker when needed.

NFL Season Highlights

Twitter handle: @sterl_shep3

Personal Life

Shepard's father, Derrick, played at Oklahoma from 1987 to 1991, and went on to play in the NFL. The elder Shepard passed away when Sterling was six. He had two uncles who also played at Oklahoma, Darrell (80-81), and Woodie (75-79).  Shepard wears the number 3 in honor of his father, who wore that number when he played at Oklahoma.