William Miles Sheppard is an American football wide receiver who plays for the Colorado Buffaloes. He previously played for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Will Sheppard
Colorado Buffaloes – No. 14
PositionWide receiver
ClassSenior
MajorMedicine, Health and Society
Personal information
Born:Ruston, Louisiana, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight198 lb (90 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolMandeville
(Mandeville, Louisiana)
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school

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Sheppard was born in Ruston, Louisiana, and attended Mandeville High School. In Sheppard's high school career, he hauled in 126 receptions for 2,252 yards, and 33 touchdowns.[1] Sheppard would decide to commit to play college football at Vanderbilt.[2][3]

College career

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Vanderbilt

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In Sheppard's first season in 2020, he caught two passes for 30 yards.[4] In week five of the 2021 season, Sheppard had a breakout game racking up eight receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns, as he helped Vanderbilt beat UConn 30–28.[5][6] Sheppard took a step up in the 2021 season, finishing the year with 43 receptions for 577 yards and four touchdowns.[7] In week three of the 2022 season, Sheppard had an amazing performance, talling ten receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns, as he helped the Commodores beat Northern Illinois.[8] Sheppard finished his breakout 2022 season with 60 receptions for 776 yards and nine touchdowns.[9] For his performance on the season, Sheppard was named second team all SEC by the Associated Press.[10][11] Sheppard would be named preseason second team all SEC, for the 2023 season.[12] Sheppard would be named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award watch lsit for the 2023 season, which is given to the nation's best receiver, after leading Vanderbilt in touchdowns the prior season and being ranked second in receiving touchdowns in the SEC.[13][14] Sheppard would start the 2023 season off hot, as in week zero he hauled in six passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns, as he helped Vanderbilt beat Hawaii 35–28.[15] Sheppard is projected to be picked in the 2024 NFL Draft.[16]

On December 3, 2023, Sheppard announced that he would be entering the transfer portal.[17]

Colorado

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On December 14, 2023, Sheppard announced that he would be transferring to Colorado.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Will Sheppard". Vanderbilt University Athletics. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  2. ^ Arias, Greg. "Longtime Commit Will Sheppard Signs with Vanderbilt". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Pervel, Mike. "Mandeville trio, including Will Sheppard, signs to play college football". NOLA.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "Will Sheppard 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Tallbot, Bowman. "From sidelines to stardom: the tremendous rise of Will Sheppard". The Vanderbilt Hustler. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  6. ^ Gerson, Aria. "Vanderbilt football stuns UConn, 30-28, on game-winning field goal". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "Will Sheppard 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  8. ^ McCarthy, Jack. "Freshman QB Swann leads Vanderbilt past Northern Illinois". AP News. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  9. ^ "Will Sheppard 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  10. ^ "Vanderbilt football: Will Sheppard stats a key to success in 2023". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  11. ^ Farner, Keith. "Associated Press announces 2022 All-SEC teams and Coach of the Year". Saturday Down South. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  12. ^ "2023 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Football Team announced". Southeastern Conference. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  13. ^ Glennon, John. "Vanderbilt WR Will Sheppard earning national attention". Nashville Post. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  14. ^ Carpenter, Michael. "Vanderbilt Wide Receiver Sheppard Catches Spot On Biletnikoff List". Davidson County Source. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  15. ^ "Swann throws for 3 TDs as Vanderbilt holds off Hawaii 35-28 in opener". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  16. ^ "Will Sheppard WR Vanderbilt NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report". NFL Draft Buzz. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  17. ^ Mago, Anish (December 3, 2023). "BREAKING: Vanderbilt wide receiver Will Sheppard enters transfer portal". The Vanderbilt Hustler. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Gerson, Aria (December 14, 2023). "Vanderbilt football's Will Sheppard transferring to Colorado". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
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