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Sterling Shepard

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Sterling Shepard
refer to caption
Shepard in 2019
No. 17 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1993-02-10) February 10, 1993 (age 31)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City)
College:Oklahoma (2012–2015)
NFL draft:2016 / round: 2 / pick: 40
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 5, 2024
Receptions:376
Receiving yards:4,150
Receiving touchdowns:24
Rushing yards:186
Rushing touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Sterling Clay Shepard (born February 10, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. Shepard was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.

Early life

[edit]

Shepard was born on February 10, 1993.[1] Shepard attended Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he rushed for 1,115 yards and caught 133 passes for 2,335 yards and 38 touchdowns in his high school football career.[2] As a senior, he carried the ball 28 times for 303 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 73 passes for 1,243 yards and 17 touchdowns. Following his senior season, he was selected to the Under Armour All-American Game. In addition, Shepard competed in basketball and track at Heritage. As a senior in 2011, he placed second in the long jump at the State Meet with a leap of 6.69 meters (21'11.5").[3]

Shepard was a consensus four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, 247sports.com and Scout.com. He committed to the University of Oklahoma to play college football under head coach Bob Stoops.[4][5]

College career

[edit]

As a true freshman at the University of Oklahoma in 2012, Shepard played in all 13 games with four starts and had 45 receptions for 621 yards and three touchdowns.[6][7] He made his collegiate debut on September 8, against Florida A&M, and had three receptions for 48 receiving yards.[8] In the following game, he had seven receptions for 108 receiving yards and his first collegiate receiving touchdown against Kansas State.[9] As a sophomore in 2013, he started 12 of 13 games, recording 51 receptions for 603 yards and seven touchdowns.[10][11] On September 14, against Tulsa, he had the best game of his collegiate career to that point with eight receptions for 123 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[12] In the 2014 Sugar Bowl against Alabama, he had his first collegiate rushing touchdown on a 13-yard play.[13] Shepard started 12 of 13 games as a junior in 2014. He started off the season very strong with career-highs in receiving yards at first against Tulsa with 177 and 215 later on against TCU.[14][15] After recording 49 receptions for 911 yards and five touchdowns through the first seven games of the season, he suffered a groin injury on a reception against Iowa State, which caused him to miss the rest of that game and the next week's game against Baylor and limited him to one reception for 13 yards during the final four games.[16][17][18] As a senior in 2015, he played in all 14 games and had 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns.[19] On September 2, against Tennessee, he caught a five-yard touchdown from Baker Mayfield with only 40 seconds remaining to help force overtime. In the second overtime, he caught a game-winning 18-yard pass from Mayfield.[20] For his collegiate career, he had 233 receptions for 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns.

College statistics

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Season Team Conf Class Pos GP Receiving
Rec Yds Avg TD
2012 Oklahoma Big 12 FR WR 13 45 621 13.8 3
2013 Oklahoma Big 12 SO WR 12 51 603 11.8 7
2014 Oklahoma Big 12 JR WR 11 51 970 19.0 5
2015 Oklahoma Big 12 SR WR 13 86 1,288 15.0 11
Career 49 233 3,482 14.9 26

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+1⁄4 in
(1.78 m) 		194 lb
(88 kg) 		30+3⁄8 in
(0.77 m) 		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.48 s 1.50 s 2.60 s 4.35 s 7.00 s 41 in
(1.04 m)		 10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		 20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[21][22]

New York Giants

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2016

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Shepard was selected by the New York Giants in the second round with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.[23] He was the fifth wide receiver to be selected that year.[24] On May 6, 2016, the Giants signed Shepard to a four-year, $5.94 million contract that includes $3.24 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.52 million.[25][26]

Going into the regular season, Shepard was named a starting wide receiver, along with Odell Beckham Jr. He started Giants' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys and made three receptions for 43-yards and caught his first career touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Eli Manning, helping the Giants win 20–19.[27] The following week, Shepard caught a season-high eight passes for 117 receiving yards in a 16–13 victory over the New Orleans Saints.[28] On September 25, 2016, he caught five passes for 73 yards and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning during the Giants' first loss of the season to the Washington Redskins.[29] On November 6, 2016, he continued to emerge as a promising receiver after he made three receptions for 50 yards and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.[30] The following game, Shepard caught five passes for 42 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 21–20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.[31]

On November 20, 2016, Shepard had his third game in a row with a touchdown after he finished a 22–16 victory over the Chicago Bears with five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.[32] In a Week 16 match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles, Shepard made seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown as the Giants lost 24–19.[33] He finished the season with 65 receptions for 683 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.[34] The Giants made the playoffs with an 11–5 record. In his playoff debut, he had four receptions for 63 receiving yards in the 38–13 Wild Card Round loss to the Green Bay Packers.[35] He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team following the season.[36]

2017

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Shepard with the New York Giants in 2017

Shepard started the 2017 season off with nine receptions for 67 receiving yards combined in the first two games against the Cowboys and Detroit Lions.[37][38] In the next game, against the Eagles, he had seven receptions for 133 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, which was a 77-yard reception.[39] During the 2017 season, Shepard missed multiple games due to reported issues with migraines.[40] During Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, Shepard had a career high eleven receptions for 142 receiving yards as the Giants lost 31–21.[41] Later that season, in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Shepard tied his career high for receptions, and set a new high for targets, with sixteen. Shepard also caught a touchdown pass, which he did not during Week 10.[42][43] Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 59 receptions for 731 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[44]

2018

[edit]
Shepard (left) with the Giants in 2018

In Week 7, against the Atlanta Falcons, Shepard had five receptions for 167 yards.[45] In Week 10 against the 49ers, Shepard had two catches for nine yards and the game-winning touchdown in the 27–23 win.[46] Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 66 receptions for 872 yards and four touchdowns.[47]

2019

[edit]
Shepard with the Giants in 2019

On April 10, 2019, Shepard signed a four-year, $41 million contract extension with the Giants with $21.3 million guaranteed.[48] In Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Shepard caught seven passes for 100 yards and a touchdown as the Giants won 32–31.[49] In Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins, Shepard caught a season high nine passes for 111 yards in the 36–20 win.[50] Overall, Shepard finished the 2019 season with 57 receptions for 576 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[51]

2020

[edit]

During Week 2 against the Bears, Shepard left the game in the second quarter with a toe injury and did not return. On September 23, 2020, Shepard was placed on injured reserve with turf toe.[52] He was activated on October 22, 2020.[53] In Week 17 against the Cowboys, Shepard recorded eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 24 yards and another touchdown during the 23–19 win.[54] He finished the 2020 season with 66 receptions for 656 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games.[55]

2021

[edit]

In Week 1, Shepard finished the game with seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in a 27–13 loss to the Denver Broncos.[56]

In Week 15, Shepard suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, in the Giants loss to the Cowboys.[57] He was placed on injured reserve the next day.[58] He finished the 2021 season with 36 receptions for 366 yards and one touchdown in seven games.[59]

2022

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In Week 3 against the Cowboys, Shepard tore his left ACL in the fourth quarter during the 16–23 loss.[60][61] He was placed on injured reserve on September 28, 2022, ending his season after three games.[62][63]

2023

[edit]

On March 12, 2023, Shepard signed a one-year contract with the Giants.[64] In the 2023 season, he appeared in 15 games and started two. He finished with ten receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown, which came in Week 10 against Dallas.[65]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]

On June 10, 2024, Shepard signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[66] He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[67][68] He was promoted to the active roster on October 1.[69]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Y/G TD Att Yds Avg Y/G TD Fum Lost
2016 NYG 16 16 65 683 10.5 42.7 8 3 31 10.3 1.9 0 0 0
2017 NYG 11 10 59 731 12.4 66.5 2 4 4 1.0 0.4 0 1 0
2018 NYG 16 16 66 872 13.2 54.5 4 3 33 11.0 2.1 0 1 0
2019 NYG 10 10 57 576 10.1 57.6 3 6 72 12.0 7.2 0 0 0
2020 NYG 12 12 66 656 9.9 54.7 3 6 49 8.2 4.1 1 0 0
2021 NYG 7 6 36 366 10.2 52.3 1 1 −9 −9.0 −1.3 0 0 0
2022 NYG 3 2 13 154 11.8 51.3 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2023 NYG 15 2 10 57 5.7 3.8 1 1 6 6.0 0.4 0 1 0
Career 90 74 372 4,095 11.0 45.4 23 24 186 7.8 2.1 1 3 0

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Y/G TD Att Yds Avg Y/G TD Fum Lost
2016 NYG 1 1 4 63 15.8 63 0 — — — — — 0 0
2022 NYG 0 0 did not play due to injury
Career 1 1 4 63 15.8 63 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

[edit]

His father, Derrick Shepard, played at Oklahoma and in the NFL from 1987 to 1991 as a wide receiver. He died when Sterling was six.[70][71][72] His uncles, Darrell (1980–81) and Woodie (1975–79), also played at Oklahoma.[73]

Shepard married model Chanel Iman on March 3, 2018. On August 10, 2018, their first child, Cali Clay Shepard, was born.[74] On December 17, 2019, they welcomed their second daughter, Cassie Snow Shepard. In January 2022, Shepard and Iman announced that they would be getting divorced.[75]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sterling Shepard". NFL.com. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  2. ^ Feken, Nate (December 19, 2015). "Second Straight State Title Special For Heritage Hall". KFOR.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  3. ^ "4A/3A State Track Results". Tulsa World. May 8, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "Sterling Shepard, 2012 Wide Receiver". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Przybylo, Bob (February 28, 2011). "Heritage Hall's Sterling Shepard commits to Oklahoma". Oklahoman.com. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  6. ^ Hoffman, Sam (August 1, 2013). "Shepard ready to build solid freshman campaign". OUDaily.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  7. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2012 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  8. ^ "Florida A&M at Oklahoma Box Score, September 8, 2012". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  9. ^ "Kansas State at Oklahoma Box Score, September 22, 2012". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  10. ^ Emig, Guerin (August 26, 2014). "Sterling Shepard now front and center". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  11. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  12. ^ "Tulsa at Oklahoma Box Score, September 14, 2013". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  13. ^ "Sugar Bowl – Oklahoma vs Alabama Box Score, January 2, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  14. ^ "Oklahoma at Tulsa Box Score, September 6, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  15. ^ "Oklahoma at Texas Christian Box Score, October 4, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  16. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2014 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  17. ^ "Oklahoma receiver Sterling Shepard ready for comeback". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. August 10, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Bailey, Eric (December 19, 2014). "OU receiver Sterling Shepard patiently rehabs injury, takes it easy at bowl practice". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  19. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2015 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  20. ^ "Oklahoma at Tennessee Box Score, September 12, 2015". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  21. ^ "Sterling Shepard Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  22. ^ "2016 NFL Draft Scout Sterling Shepard College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
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  30. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – November 6th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  31. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants – November 14th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  32. ^ "Chicago Bears at New York Giants – November 20th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  33. ^ "New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – December 22nd, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
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  36. ^ "2016 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
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  38. ^ "Detroit Lions at New York Giants – September 18th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  39. ^ "New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – September 24th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  40. ^ Schwartz, Paul (November 30, 2017). "Returning Sterling Shepard details 'terrible' migraine pain". New York Post. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  41. ^ "New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – November 12th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  42. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – December 17th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  43. ^ "Sterling Shepard Career Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  44. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  45. ^ "New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons – October 22nd, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  46. ^ "New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – November 12th, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  47. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  48. ^ Teope, Herbie (April 10, 2019). "Giants finalizing $41M extension with Sterling Shepard". NFL.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  49. ^ "Jones sparkles in his start, Giants rally past Bucs 32–31". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  50. ^ "Manning throws 2 TDs, Barkley scores 2, Giants end long skid". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  51. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  52. ^ Eisen, Michael. "Giants sign veteran RB Devonta Freeman; Sterling Shepard to IR". www.giants.com. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  53. ^ Eisen, Michael (October 22, 2020). "Sterling Shepard activated off injured reserve among gameday roster moves". Giants.com. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  54. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – January 3rd, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  55. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  56. ^ "Denver Broncos at New York Giants – September 12th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  57. ^ Raanan, Jordan (December 19, 2021). "New York Giants' Sterling Shepard suffers season-ending torn Achilles". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  58. ^ Citak, Matt (December 20, 2021). "Giants place Daniel Jones, Sterling Shepard on injured reserve". Giants.com. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  59. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  60. ^ Pereles, Zachary (September 27, 2022). "Giants' Sterling Shepard suffers season-ending torn ACL on final offensive play of loss to Cowboys". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  61. ^ Benton, Dan (September 27, 2022). "Giants' Sterling Shepard out for season with torn ACL". Giants Wire. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  62. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 28, 2022). "Update: WR Sterling Shepard suffers torn ACL". www.giants.com. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  63. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  64. ^ Gordon, Grant (March 12, 2023). "Giants re-signing WR Sterling Shepard to one-year contract with $1.3 million base salary". NFL.com.
  65. ^ "Sterling Shepard 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  66. ^ Smith, Scott (June 10, 2024). "Bucs Sign Sterling Shepard, Add Veteran Depth to Receiving Corps". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  67. ^ Smith, Scott (August 27, 2024). "Bucs Cut Down to 53, Place Chase Edmonds, Rakim Jarrett on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  68. ^ Smith, Scott (August 29, 2024). "WRs Miller, Shepard, Thompson All Return on Bucs' First Practice Squad of 2024". Buccaneers.com.
  69. ^ Smith, Scott (October 1, 2024). "Bucs Promote WR Shepard and LB Grier, Put LB Dennis on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  70. ^ Aber, Ryan (November 17, 2014). "Oklahoma football: Sterling Shepard has special bond with OU program". NewsOK.com. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  71. ^ Nunez, Tammy. "Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard has fatherly connection to the New Orleans Saints; Sooners Sugar Bowl notebook". NOLA.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014.
  72. ^ Kersey, Jason (September 7, 2012). "Oklahoma football: Sterling Shepard to make debut on same field where his late father played". NewsOK.com. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  73. ^ Carlson, Jenni (January 30, 2012). "Oklahoma football: Poised to carry on the Shepard Sooner lineage". NewsOK.com. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  74. ^ Mizoguchi, Karen (August 12, 2018). "Little Angel! Chanel Iman and NFL Husband Sterling Shepard Welcome Daughter Cali Clay". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  75. ^ Akoulitchev, Octavia; Merrett, Robyn (December 17, 2019). "Chanel Iman and Sterling Shepard Welcome Daughter Cassie Snow — and She Already Has Instagram!". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
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