Nathan Shepherd

{{Short description|Canadian-born American football player (born 1993)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Nathan Shepherd

| image = Nathan Shepherd.jpg

| caption = Shepherd with the New York Jets in 2019

| current_team = New Orleans Saints

| number = 93

| position = Defensive tackle

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|9}}

| birth_place = Ajax, Ontario, Canada

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lb = 315

| high_school = J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate {{nowrap|(Ajax, Ontario, Canada)}}

| college = Simon Fraser (2012)
Fort Hays State (2015–2017)

| draftyear = 2018

| draftround = 3

| draftpick = 72

| pastteams =

New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)

| status = Active

| highlights =

| statweek =

| statseason = 2024

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 191

| statlabel2 = Sacks

| statvalue2 = 11

| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue3 =

| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue4 =

| pfr = ShepNa00

}}

Nathan Daniel Shepherd (born October 9, 1993) is a Canadian professional American football defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Simon Fraser Clan and Fort Hays State Tigers.

Early life

Shepherd grew up in Ajax, Ontario, where he played youth football with the Ajax/Pickering Dolphins Football Club.{{cite web|url=http://torontosun.com/sports/football/canadian-nathan-shepherds-incredible-seven-year-journey-to-the-nfl|title=Canadian Nathan Shepherd's incredible seven-year journey to the NFL|author=Kryk, John|publisher=Toronto Sun|date=March 4, 2018|access-date=March 13, 2018}}

College career

At Simon Fraser University, Shepherd redshirted his first year and was able to start every game his second year as a defensive end. He left the university after a total of two years, as he was no longer able to pay tuition. After leaving Simon Fraser, Shepherd spent time in various jobs including working in a plant nursery, electrical construction, and a cardboard box factory. Fort Hays State University later reached out to Shepherd, and Shepherd was able to pay his first semester of tuition before being put on athletic scholarship. After his 2017 season, Shepherd was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Defensive Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.kwch.com/content/sports/Fort-Hays-lands-three-on--457479023.html|title=FHSU cleans up in the All-MIAA football awards|publisher=KWCH|date=November 14, 2017|access-date=March 13, 2018}} He was also invited to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl.{{cite web|url=https://www.hayspost.com/2017/11/13/nathan-shepherd-selected-to-play-in-nflpa-collegiate-bowl/|title=Nathan Shepherd selected to play in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl|publisher=Hays Post|date=November 13, 2017|access-date=March 13, 2018}}

Professional career

=Pre-draft=

On November 20, 2017, it was announced that Shepherd had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl.{{cite web |title=Prospects that have accepted invites to 2018 Senior Bowl |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/prospects-that-have-accepted-invites-to-2018-senior-bowl-0ap3000000880317 |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=NFL.com| date=November 20, 2017}} He became the first player from Fort Hays State to receive an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Shepherd was productive during Senior Bowl practices and had his draft stock rise significantly after displaying speed, power, and technique while going up against the top offensive linemen in the nation.{{cite web |title=NFL Long Shot Nathan Shepherd Turning Heads At The Senior Bowl |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/denver-broncos/Article/NFL-Long-Shot-Nathan-Shepherd-Turning-Heads-At-The-Senior-Bowl-114164448/ |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=247sports.com |author=Dumler, Carl |date=January 24, 2018}} Shepherd suffered a broken hand during Senior Bowl practice and was unable to participate in the official game.{{cite web |title=Meet Nathan Shepherd, the DL prospect who wrecked small-school doubts |url=https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/04/17/meet-nathan-shepherd-the-dl-prospect-who-wrecked-small-school-doubts/ |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=draftwire.usatoday.com |author=Melo, Justin |date=April 17, 2018}}

{{external media

| video1 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/up-to-the-minute/0ap3000000925463/Canadian-born-Nathan-Shepherd-shares-his-journey-from-small-school-walk-on-to-top-DT-draft-prospect Shepherd: journey to top DT prospect]

| video2 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000910184/Fort-Hays-State-DT-Nathan-Shepard-suffers-hand-injury-at-Senior-Bowl Shepherd suffers hand injury at Senior Bowl]

}}

{{quote box

|align=right

|width=24%

|quote=“NFL body, NFL movement skills. I’ve had a couple NFL people tell me that he’s actually bigger than Malik Jackson, but offers that kind of versatility of inside-outside. He’s a powerful man and very raw. A guy that could affect quarterbacks and the run game”{{cite web |title=Canadian Nathan Shepherd rockets up draft boards with strong performance at NFL combine |url=http://3downnation.com/2018/03/05/canadian-nathan-shepherd-rockets-draft-boards-strong-performance-nfl-combine/ |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=3downnation.com |date=March 5, 2018}}

|source=–Mike Mayock

}}

Shepherd attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and completed the majority of combine drills, but opted to skip the bench press due to his fractured hand. His performance continued to raise his draft stock and garnered him attention throughout the draft process. On March 12, 2018, Shepherd held a pro day at Fort Hays State, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills for the scouts and team representatives from 16 NFL teams that attended. Shepherd attended ten private meetings with team and also performed at private workouts for multiple teams, that included the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Houston Texans.{{cite web |title=NFL draft guru Mike Mayock impressed with Canadian Nathan Shepherd |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/national-sports/nfl-draft-guru-mike-mayock-impressed-with-canadian-nathan-shepherd-900385 |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=barrietoday.com |date=April 20, 2018}}{{cite web |title=Texans to have private workout with Fort Hays State DT Nathan Shepherd |url=https://texanswire.usatoday.com/2018/03/26/texans-to-have-private-workout-with-fort-hays-state-dt-nathan-shepherd/ |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=texanswire.usatoday.com |author=Risdon, Jeff |date=March 26, 2018}} At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Shepherd was projected to be a second or third round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the sixth best defensive tackle prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com and Scouts Inc.{{cite web |title=Nathan Shepherd, DS #6 DT, Fort Hays State |url=http://www.draftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=1026355&draftyear=2018&genpos=dt |access-date=August 24, 2018 |website=draftscout.com}}

{{external media

| video1 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000925183/Nathan-Shepherd-s-full-2018-NFL-Scouting-Combine-workout Nathan Shepherd's NFL Combine Workout]

| video2 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000919205/Nathan-Shepherd-runs-5-09-40-yard-dash Nathan Shepherd runs 40-yard dash]

| video3 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000926426/Breaking-down-Nathan-Shepherd-s-college-highlights NFL Draft Profile: Nathan Shepherd]

}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 3 3/4

| weight = 315

| dash = 5.09

| ten split = 1.77

| twenty split = 2.94

| shuttle = 4.53

| cone drill = 7.50

| vertical = 31

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 4

| arm span = 32 3/8

| hand span = 10 1/8

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web | url = https://www.nfl.com/prospects/nathan-shepherd/32005348-4551-7895-806f-195b8a37f46d | title = Nathan Shepherd Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | work = NFL.com | date = March 1, 2018 | access-date = March 1, 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1026355&DraftYear=2018 | title = Fort Hays State DT Nathan Shepherd : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile | work = DraftScout.com | access-date = May 12, 2018}}

}}

=New York Jets=

The New York Jets selected Shepherd in the third round (72nd overall) in the 2018 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Shepherd was the sixth defensive tackle drafted in 2018 and became only the third player to be drafted in the history of Fort Hays State.{{cite web|title=Nathan Shepherd selected by Jets with 72nd pick in 2018 NFL Draft|url=https://www.ganggreennation.com/2018/4/27/17294310/nathan-shepherd-selected-by-jets-with-72nd-pick-in-2018-nfl-draft|website=GangGreenNation.com|date=April 27, 2018|access-date=July 2, 2018}} He became the first player to be drafted from Fort Hays State since Frankie Neal was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round (71st overall) of the 1987 NFL draft.{{cite web |title=The Football Database: Fort Hays State |url=https://www.footballdb.com/draft/college.html?c=Fort+Hays+State |access-date=August 24, 2018 |website=FootballDB.com}} On May 14, 2018, the Jets signed Shepherd to a four-year, $3.87 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $987,724.{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Nathan Shepherd contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-jets/nathan-shepherd-25171/ |access-date=August 23, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}

{{external media

| video1 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000929637/Jets-select-Nathan-Shepherd-No-72-in-the-2018-NFL-Draft Jets draft Nathan Shepherd 72nd overall]

}}

Shepherd was suspended for six games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy on September 10, 2019. It was revealed that Shepherd underwent a sports hernia surgery in the off-season plus battling a shoulder issue and a herniated disc in his back. Shepherd confessed about using the PEDs in an effort to speed up his recovery, which eventually led to his suspension.{{cite news |title=Jets DT Shepherd banned 6, admits to using PED |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27588358/jets-dt-shepherd-banned-6-admits-using-ped |website=ESPN.com |date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=September 10, 2019}} He was reinstated from suspension on October 29, 2019, and was activated on November 1, 2019.{{cite news |author=Greenberg, Ethan |title=DL Nathan Shepherd Returns to Roster, Jets Place Trenton Cannon on IR |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-dl-nathan-shepherd-returns-to-roster-place-trenton-cannon-on-ir |website=NewYorkJets.com |date=November 1, 2019 |access-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920023230/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-dl-nathan-shepherd-returns-to-roster-place-trenton-cannon-on-ir |url-status=dead }}

On March 16, 2022, Shepherd signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets.{{cite web|title=Jets Re-Sign DL Nathan Shepherd|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-re-sign-dl-nathan-shepherd|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=March 16, 2022}}

=New Orleans Saints=

On March 17, 2023, Shepherd signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2023 |title=New Orleans Saints agree to terms with defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/nathan-shepherd-new-orleans-saints-defensive-tackle-roster-free-agency-2023 |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} He ended the 2023 season with a career-best 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks.{{Cite web |title=Nathan Shepherd 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepNa00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} In 2024, during the Saints' Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Shepherd attempted to sack Justin Herbert, failed, and fell to the ground. As Shepherd lay on the ground, he spends several seconds trying to bring the standing Herbert down by torquing his knee through an unnatural angle, despite the fact Herbert had shovel-passed the football before Shepherd had even hit the ground. Shepherd continued until Herbert was brought down and had to be pulled off by Charger's center Bradley Bozeman.{{cite web | last=Kerr | first=Jeff | title=WATCH: Chargers' Bradley Bozeman defends Justin Herbert as Saints' Nathan Shepherd nearly injures QB on tackle | website=CBSSports.com | date=2024-10-27 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/watch-chargers-bradley-bozeman-defends-justin-herbert-as-saints-nathan-shepherd-nearly-injures-qb-on-tackle/ | access-date=2024-11-08}} Upon appeal the NFL rescinded his fine for the incident,{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Saints DT's fine rescinded for Herbert takedown |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42646696/source-nfl-rescinds-nathan-shepherd-fine-justin-herbert-takedown |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} as he claims to have not deliberately tried to injure Herbert during the play.

Career statistics

class="wikitable mw-collapsible"

! colspan="2" |Legend

Bold

|Career high

= Regular season =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" \|Year ! rowspan="2" \|Team ! colspan="2" \|Games ! colspan="4" \|Tackles
GP !GS !Cmb !Solo !Ast !Sck
2018 !NYJ \|16 \|5 \|15 \|5 \|10 \|0.0
2019 !NYJ \|9 \|0 \|11 \|6 \|5 \|2.0
2020 !NYJ \|14 \|3 \|17 \|8 \|9 \|2.5
2021 !NYJ \|17 \|1 \|28 \|17 \|11 \|0.0
2022 !NYJ \|17 \|3 \|33 \|16 \|17 \|1.5
2023 !NO \|17 \|17 \|50 \|27 \|23 \|3.5
2024 !NO \|16 \|13 \|37 \|16 \|21 \|1.5
colspan="2" \|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepNa00.htm Career] !106 !42 !191 !95 !96 !11

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan="2" |Year

! rowspan="2" |Team

! colspan="2" |Games

! colspan="4" |Tackles

!GS

!Cmb

!Solo

!Ast

!Sck

2018

!NYJ

|16

|15

|10

|0.0

2019

!NYJ

|11

|2.0

2020

!NYJ

|14

|17

|2.5

2021

!NYJ

|17

|28

|17

|11

|0.0

2022

!NYJ

|17

|33

|16

|17

|1.5

2023

!NO

|17

|50

|27

|23

|3.5

2024

!NO

|16

|13

|37

|16

|21

|1.5

colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepNa00.htm Career]

!106

!42

!191

!95

!96

!11

References

External links

[https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/players-roster/nathan-shepherd/ New Orleans Saints bio]
[https://www.fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3933 Fort Hays State bio]

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Ajax, Ontario

Category:Players of American football from Ontario

Category:American football defensive tackles

Category:Simon Fraser Red Leafs football players

Category:Fort Hays State Tigers football players

Category:New York Jets players

Category:New Orleans Saints players