Austin Shepherd

Last updated

Austin Shepherd
Austin Shepherd.JPG
Shepherd with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015
Duke Blue Devils
Position:Offensive analyst
Personal information
Born: (1992-05-28) May 28, 1992 (age 32)
Suwanee, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:327 lb (148 kg)
Career information
High school: North Gwinnett
(Suwanee, Georgia)
College: Alabama
NFL draft: 2015  / Round: 7 / Pick: 228
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
As an administrator:
  • Louisiana (2022–2023)
    Director of recruiting & football logistics
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:14
Player stats at PFR

Austin H. Shepherd (born May 28, 1992) is a former American football offensive tackle. He played college football at University of Alabama. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round, 228th overall of the 2015 NFL draft. [1] [2] He was also a member of the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Contents

Early life

Shepherd attended North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia, where he was teammates with Ja'Wuan James. In his sophomore season, North Gwinnett advanced to the GHSA Class 5A state championship game with 13–2 record, where they lost 34–6 to Valdosta Lowndes led by Greg Reid and Telvin Smith. [3] As a junior, Shepherd helped North Gwinnett to a berth in state quarterfinals behind 10–3 finish, where they lost 20–3 to Alec Ogletree's Newnan. [4] In Shepherd's senior season, North Gwinnett finished with a 13–1 mark, earning Region 7-5A championship while advancing to the state quarterfinals, where they lost 35–0 to Camden County. [5]

He was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 18 guard and No. 22 by Scout.com, while ESPN.com ranked him 46th nationally as an offensive tackle. He was also ranked 13th on Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia Top 50. [6] Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Shepherd chose Alabama over Georgia Tech, Clemson, South Carolina and UAB. [7] He enrolled in January 2010 and participated in spring drills for the Crimson Tide.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)
315 lb
(143 kg)
5.27 s1.81 s3.01 s4.70 s7.77 s29 in
(0.74 m)
7 ft 10 in
(2.39 m)
17 reps
All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day [8]

Minnesota Vikings (first stint)

Shepherd was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 228th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. [9] He was signed to a four-year, $2.34 million contract with a $69,694 signing bonus. He was released on August 29, 2016. [10]

San Diego Chargers

On September 4, 2016, Shepherd was signed to the practice squad of the San Diego Chargers. [11] On September 20, 2016, he was released from the practice squad. [12]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On October 11, 2016, Shepherd was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad. [13] He was released by the team on October 19, 2016.

Minnesota Vikings (second stint)

On October 25, 2016, Shepherd was signed to the Vikings' practice squad. [14] He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Vikings on January 2, 2017. [15]

On September 2, 2017, Shepherd was waived by the Vikings. [16]

Coaching career

In 2020, after Shepherd's playing career he joined Florida Atlantic as a graduate assistant. [17] In 2021, he took the same role with Ole Miss.

In 2022, Shepherd moved to an off-the-field role as the director of recruiting and football logistics for Louisiana. [18]

In 2024, Shepherd was hired by Duke as an offensive analyst. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Walters</span> American football player (born 1987)

Bryan Robert Walters is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Cornell. With the Seattle Seahawks, he won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos.

Terrell Manning is a former American football linebacker. Manning was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round, 163rd overall, in the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina State.

Matthew Daniels is a former American football safety and current special teams coach of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Yankey</span> American football player (born 1992)

David Famiyekyi Yankey is a former American football offensive guard. He played college football at Stanford, where he was a two-time consensus All-American. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round, 145th overall of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damion Square</span> American football player (born 1989)

Damion DaShon Square is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Alabama and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.

Bradley Wilson Sorensen is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Williams (defensive lineman)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Nick Williams is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft after his college football career at Samford. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ja'Wuan James</span> American football player (born 1992)

Ja'Wuan Amir James is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Tennessee. He has also played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremiah Sirles</span> American football player (born 1991)

Jeremiah Sirles is a former American football guard. He played college football at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and attended Bear Creek High School in Lakewood, Colorado. He played in the NFL as a member of the San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Gaston (American football)</span> American football player (born 1991)

Bruce Verdell Gaston, Jr. is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Purdue. Gaston was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He has been a member of the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Ottawa Redblacks.

Donte Foster is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college basketball at Seminole State College and college football at Ohio. After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, Foster signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Gallman</span> American football player (born 1994)

Wayne Gallman Jr. is an American football running back for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and contributed to win the CFP national championship (2017) before being selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 56th season in franchise history

The 2016 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 56th in the National Football League and their third under head coach Mike Zimmer. After starting the season with five consecutive wins prior to their bye week, the Vikings managed just three victories after the bye and were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 with a 38–25 road loss to the Packers. They joined the 1978 Redskins, 1993 Saints, 2003 Vikings, 2009 Broncos, 2009 Giants and 2015 Falcons in missing the playoffs after starting 5–0 or better. The Vikings are the only NFL team to have more than once started 5–0 or better and missed the playoffs.

Moritz Wilhelm Böhringer is a German professional American football tight end who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Böhringer was the first European player to be selected in the NFL draft without playing any college football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Weatherly</span> American football player (born 1994)

Stephen Dian Weatherly is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Vanderbilt. Having nearly completed his degree, Weatherly declared as an early draft entrant following his junior season. He was drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Cleveland Browns.

Marquis Lucas is an American football offensive tackle for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Mountaineers at West Virginia University.

Ifeadikachukwu Anthony Odenigbo is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Northwestern and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Storm Norton</span> American football player (born 1994)

Storm Willis Norton is an American football offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Toledo and signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darrius Shepherd</span> American football player (born 1995)

Darrius Allen Shepherd is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at North Dakota State, and was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

Zack Bailey is an American football offensive lineman who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He later had stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and Washington Football Team / Commanders.

References

  1. "Minnesota Vikings Select Alabama OL Austin Shepherd". Minnesota Vikings . May 2, 2015. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  2. "Chargers Announce 2016 Practice Squad". San Diego Chargers . September 4, 2016. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  3. "Lowndes claims state title, 34–6". Valdosta Daily Times. December 16, 2007.
  4. "Newnan Defense Keys Win Over North Gwinnett In Rematch". Times-Herald. December 6, 2008. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010.
  5. "Camden County 35, North Gwinnett 0". Gwinnett Daily Post. November 27, 2009.
  6. "Austin Shepherd Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  7. "Austin Shepherd - Yahoo! Sports". Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  8. "2019 Draft Scout: QB Rankings". Nfldraftsout.com. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  9. "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  10. "Vikings Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017.
  11. "Chargers Announce 2016 Practice Squad". Chargers.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  12. "Chargers Sign Versatile RB Dexter McCluster". Chargers.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  13. "Steelers Waive RB David Cobb From Practice Squad, Sign Two". October 11, 2016.
  14. Peters, Craig (October 25, 2016). "Vikings Announce 6 Practice Squad Moves". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016.
  15. Peters, Craig (January 2, 2017). "Vikings Sign 9 Practice Squad Players to Futures Contracts". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  16. "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Roster". Vikings.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018.
  17. "Austin Shepherd - Football Coach". Florida Atlantic University Athletics. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  18. "Austin Shepherd - Football Coach". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  19. "Austin Shepherd - Analyst/Offense - Football Coaches". Duke University. Retrieved April 24, 2024.