Russell Shepard

Last updated

Russell Shepard
No. 19, 81, 89
Position: Special teamer
Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1990-09-17) September 17, 1990 (age 33)
Houston, Texas
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Cypress Ridge
(Houston, Texas)
College: LSU
Undrafted: 2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:60
Receiving yards:847
Receiving touchdowns:6
Total tackles:45
Forced fumbles:1
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Russell Shepard (born September 17, 1990) is a former American football wide receiver and special teamer. He played college football at Louisiana State University and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles. Shepard has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers , and New York Giants.

Contents

High school career

Shepard attended Cypress Ridge High School in Harris County, Texas. He started his high school career as a quarterback. [1]

Although Shepard was heavily recruited by Texas and received interests from Florida, Michigan, and USC, [2] he announced his decision to accept a scholarship from Louisiana State University on March 3, 2008. [3] [4] He committed to LSU because he believed he would get the best chance at playing quarterback there. [5] Texas told Shepard that if he didn't win the starting job at quarterback, then he could play other positions. USC likewise found him to be a Reggie Bush-type player in their offense. [6]

He graduated high school in December 2008 to start his college career a semester early. Shepard stated that he intended to learn the team's football system during LSU's spring practices that year. [6]

He played in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game on January 4, 2009. [7] As of March 2009, he was ranked as the #3 Athlete on ESPN150 for the high school class of 2009. [8]

As a senior, the 6-1, 179-pound Shepard rushed for 1,946 yards and 28 touchdowns and threw for 1,843 yards and 20 touchdowns for legendary coach Gary Thiebaud. Shepard also led Cy-Ridge to a 17-5A district championship in 2007. Alongside Matt Barkley, Shepard was considered the top quarterback of the high school class of 2009 by both Rivals.com [9] and Scout.com [10] before converting to wide receiver upon arriving at LSU.

He was compared to Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin by a Scouts, Inc. reporter. [11]

Awards and honors

College career

Shepard played college football for LSU. He saw time at running back and receiver early in his freshman year, particularly the former due to depth concerns at the positions, before permanently switching to receiver. He ended his LSU career with 52 receptions and 572 rushing yards. [16]

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

Shepard was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2013 NFL Draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One day after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles, Shepard was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 1, 2013. [17]

After leading the team in special teams tackles in 2014, Shepard was named special teams captain for the 2015 season, [18] a role he would reprise in the 2016 season.

Carolina Panthers

On March 10, 2017, Shepard signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. [19] On September 10, 2017, against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, he had two receptions for 53 yards, which included a 40-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Cam Newton. He finished the season with 17 receptions for 202 yards and one touchdown.

On May 14, 2018, Shepard was released by the Panthers. [20]

New York Giants

On May 22, 2018, Shepard signed with the New York Giants on a one-year, $1.3 million deal worth up to $2 million in incentives. [21] In week 13 against the Chicago Bears, Shepard had 2 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown reception came from fellow wide receiver and fellow former LSU player Odell Beckham Jr.

On April 10, 2019, Shepard re-signed with the Giants. [22] He was placed on injured reserve on September 26, 2019, with a foot sprain. [23]

On September 17, 2020, Shepard announced his retirement from the NFL. [24]

Personal life

Shepard's mother is a medical recruiter for a local hospital, and his father runs his own construction business. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Clayton (American football)</span> American football player (born 1982)

Michael Rashard Clayton is a former American football wide receiver who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keenan McCardell</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Keenan Wayne McCardell is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the wide receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, University of Maryland, College Park and Washington Redskins.

Anthony Mix is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Auburn.

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

Louis Morris Murphy Jr. is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football for the University of Florida, where he was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. The Oakland Raiders drafted him in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and he has also played for the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Smith (wide receiver, born 1985)</span> American football player (born 1985)

Steven Smith is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Southern California (USC), and earned All-American honors. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is often mistaken for Steve Smith Sr., the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver of the same name.

Dominique Jamaar Edison is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Stephen F. Austin State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Webb</span> American football player (born 1986)

Joseph Webb III is a former American football quarterback. He also played as a kick returner. After playing college football for the UAB Blazers, Webb was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft as a quarterback. He has also played for the Carolina Panthers, the Buffalo Bills, and the Houston Texans. Webb holds the NFL record for most tackles by a quarterback with 21.

Sean Ryan is an American football quarterbacks coach with experience coaching in the National Football League (NFL). He has previously served as an assistant coach for the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers, and is often cited for his development of star players including Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham Jr., Matthew Stafford, Eli Manning, and Deshaun Watson.

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

Cole Dickson Beasley is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Southern Methodist University and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He also played three seasons for the Buffalo Bills before retiring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. He came out of retirement a few months later in the season to re-sign with the Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Evans (wide receiver)</span> American football player (born 1993)

Michael Lynn Evans III is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Evans played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, earning consensus All-American honors after recording a school record of 1,394 receiving yards on 69 receptions. He was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

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

Leonard Joseph Fournette III is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelson Agholor</span> American football player (born 1993)

Nelson Efamehule Agholor is a Nigerian-American football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. During his five seasons with the Eagles, he won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LII. Agholor also played one season with the Las Vegas Raiders before joining the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O. J. Howard</span> American football player (born 1994)

Oterrius Jabari "O. J." Howard is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Alabama, and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Humphries</span> American football player (born 1993)

Adam Humphries is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Clemson and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015. He has also been a member of the Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team and Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Godwin</span> American football player (born 1996)

Rod Christopher Godwin Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State and was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He won a Super Bowl championship in Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Chark</span> American football player (born 1996)

Darrell Demont "D. J." Chark Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Gage</span> American football player (born 1996)

Russell Gage Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CeeDee Lamb</span> American football player (born 1999)

Cedarian DeLeon "CeeDee" Lamb is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma where he was a consensus All-American in 2019, and was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Sims</span> American football player (born 1997)

Steven Sims Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kansas and signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

Tyron Johnson is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He played college football at Oklahoma State.

References

  1. ↑ "Shepard out to prove he belongs at quarterback".
  2. ↑ "2009's TERRELLE PRYOR?: Dual-threat QB Russell Shepard has U-M at the top of his list".
  3. ↑ Williams, Brandon C. (March 4, 2008). "Cy Ridge's Shepard says he's going to LSU". Houston Chronicle .
  4. ↑ "LSU lands top prospect, recruiter -- all in one". CNN. January 1, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Shepard stays grounded through recruiting process".
  6. 1 2 "LSU already giddy about Shepard era".
  7. ↑ "2009 Under Armour All-America Game Player Profiles".
  8. ↑ "ESPN Football Recruiting - Rankings - ESPN". insider.espn.go.com. Retrieved March 18, 2009.[ title missing ]
  9. ↑ "Russell Shepard".
  10. ↑ "Russell Shepard - Scout.com".
  11. ↑ "Dual-threat QBs Pryor, Shepard have similar skills".
  12. ↑ "Matthews honored by TD Club tonight".
  13. ↑ "Shepard, Stewart win TD Club honors".
  14. 1 2 "Getting to know the Elite 11, the state of Texas' top recruits".
  15. ↑ "Meet PARADE's All-America High School Football Team".
  16. ↑ Laney, Gary (August 5, 2012). "One final chance". ESPN.com . Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Buccaneers claim DT Chris Jones off waivers, add Russell Shepard in some capacity". September 2013.
  18. ↑ "Buccaneers Name Six Team Captains".
  19. ↑ Henson, Max (March 10, 2017). "Panthers sign Russell Shepard". Panthers.com.
  20. ↑ Strickland, Bryan (May 14, 2018). "Panthers release Russell Shepard". Panthers.com.
  21. ↑ Eisen, Michael (May 22, 2018). "Giants sign wide receiver Russell Shepard". Giants.com.
  22. ↑ Bouda, Nate (April 10, 2019). "Giants Re-Sign WR Russell Shepard".
  23. ↑ "Giants roster moves: RB Jon Hilliman promoted, WR Russell Shepard to IR". Big Blue View. SB Nation. September 26, 2019.
  24. ↑ Gantt, Darin (September 17, 2020). "Former wideout Russell Shepard announces retirement". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.