NFL CAREER – Originally selected by the New York Jets in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Fort Hays State, this versatile defensive tackle enters his seventh NFL season, his second with the Saints. The Ajax, Ontario, Canada native has appeared in 90 career games with 29 starts, totaling 161 tackles (86 solo) and nine sacks for a loss of 75 yards. In 2023, he started all 17 games for New Orleans, posting career-highs in tackles (50), solo stops (26) and sacks (three).
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints (UFA-NYJ), 3/17/23; Re-signed by the New York Jets to a one-year contract, 3/16/22; Signed by the Jets to a four-year contract, 9/10/19; Selected by the Jets in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
2023 – Started all 17 contests for the Saints, totaling career-highs in tackles (50) and sacks (three) while adding three stops for loss…Recorded two stops (one solo) and a sack for a loss of six yards in win at Carolina, Sept. 18…Vs Tampa Bay, Oct. 1, added four tackles (one solo)…Posted two stops for a defense that shut out New England and allowed only 45 yards rushing on 18 carries (2.5 avg.), Oct. 8…Added four tackles (one solo) at Houston, Oct. 15…Recorded three tackles and a half sack in win at Indianapolis, Oct. 29…In win vs Chicago, Nov. 5, totaled five stops (three solo)…Notched five tackles (two solo) vs Detroit, Dec. 3…Recorded a season/career-high seven tackles (season-high four solo) and a half sack in win vs Carolina, Dec. 10…Added three solo stops in win vs Giants, Dec. 17…Posted three solo tackles, one sack for a loss of seven yards and one tackle for loss in season finale win vs Atlanta, 1/7/24. 2022 – Played in all 17 games with three starts in final season with Jets and posted 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four stops for loss as part of a defensive line rotation for a unit ranked fourth in the National Football League in total defense (311.1 ypg.) and scoring defense (18.6 ppg.) and tenth in opponent rushing yards per play (4.2 avg.)…Posted three tackles (two solo) and a sack vs. New England, Oct. 30…Started and finished with four tackles (two solo) and one split sack vs. Chicago, Nov. 27. 2021 – Appeared in all 17 games with one start, one of four Jets defensive players to play every game. Finished with 28 tackles, eight QB hits and 15 QB pressures. 2020 – Appeared as part of a Jets defense that allowed only 4.03 yards per carry, the seventh-best average in the league. Registered 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks, including 10 stops and 2.5 sacks over the final three games (all starts). 2019 – Limited to the final nine games of the season. Registered 15 tackles and first two sacks of career. Added five stops for loss, contributing to a defense that led the NFL with 117 tackles for no gain or negative yards. 2018 – Appeared in all 16 games (five starts). Registered 18 tackles and five QB hits, ranking in the top 10 among rookie defensive linemen (according to Radar360).
COLLEGE – Started college career as a 205-pound DE at Simon Fraser (B.C.) University in 2012…Transferred to Fort Hays State in 2015 after working two years to save money, where he played from 2015-17 and earned AFCA and D2Football.com first-team All-American honors and AP second-team All-American recognition as a senior in 2017, when he finished with 38 tackles, 12.5 stops for loss and four sacks, receiving an invite to the 2018 Senior Bowl…Over his career, compiled 27 stops for loss and ten takedowns…Only the third player ever drafted from Fort Hayes State and the first in over 30 years.
PERSONAL – Played LB at J. Clarke Richardson (Ajax, Ontario) Collegiate…Started playing football as a youth with the Ajax/Pickering Dolphins Football Club…As a result of Canadian universities not offering full athletic scholarships, Shepherd was forced to withdraw from Simon Fraser before enrolling at Fort Hays State the following year. In his time between the two schools – two seasons – he worked in a plant nursery, electrical construction, which his father does, and at a factory that made boxes for beer and soda, working out by doing push-ups before or after his 12- to 14-hour shifts…After initially paying his way to Fort Hays State for the second semester of 2015, supporting himself by working several side jobs, Shepherd earned a scholarship.
