Will Sheppard was a top target for Vanderbilt from 2021-2023 and has continued his high level of play after transferring to Colorado. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report and film analysis.
Overview, Film Analysis, and Early 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report of Colorado WR Will Sheppard
Measurables:
- 6’3”
- 205 lbs
Player Background:
Will Sheppard committed to Vanderbilt from Mandeville HS in Louisiana, rated as a three-star prospect and Top-75 recruit in LA. The 2020 graduate got on the field for limited snaps in his freshman season, snagging two passes for 30 yards. He quickly ascended the depth chart and was one of the team’s best offensive weapons the following year. Starting all 11 games, he caught 43 balls for 577 yards and four scores. His best collegiate season to date came in 2022, with career highs in receptions (60), yards (776), and touchdowns (nine).
He became the eighth wide receiver in Commodores history to eclipse 2,000 career yards the following season. In 2023, he started all 12 games and racked up almost 700 yards and eight scores. He was one of the best wideouts in the portal when he entered after the season, eventually committing to Colorado. He’s operated well behind Travis Hunter, with 540 yards and six touchdowns on 13.5 yards-per-catch in 10 games.
Accolades:
- Third-team All-SEC (2022)
- Midseason All-America, third team (2023)
- Midseason All-SEC, first team (2023)
Strengths/Pros:
The most commonly used word to describe Sheppard as a player and prospect is savvy. He looks comfortable in an assortment of alignments and moves fluidly as both a route runner and ball carrier. He starts plays with some nifty footwork for a player of his size and gets separation early in routes. He’s a very loose mover with effortless body control in all aspects of the play. Whether it’s navigating the defense on his routes, whipping off DBs on horizontal cuts, or hauling in passes from a plethora of angles, he makes everything look smooth. He excels as a route runner most prominently when driving inside and downfield.
His hands are strong and carry momentum throughout the catch point, transitioning to a vertical threat naturally. Sheppard has a lanky frame that allows him to extend upward to make plays outside of a normal catch radius at a high rate. He’s a nightmare to stop in the red zone, surviving through contact and covering an absurd radius. He finds soft spots in coverage often and can deceptively break down a defense.
Weaknesses/Cons:
Most of Sheppard’s deficiencies come from a lack of explosiveness to take the top off of a secondary. He relies heavily on his frame and knowledge of the game but isn’t able to maximize his dominance because of an absence of high-end speed and burst. His hands can be inconsistent at times and tends to “just miss” impressive catches. He telegraphs his cuts on longer stems, with a noticeable decline in footwork the longer he runs before cutting.
His awareness on routes can be an issue, getting bumped and accidentally stacking with other wideouts. He doesn’t play with much functional strength and could see issues against larger corners in the NFL. Sheppard can be physical as a blocker, but far too often is seen watching plays unfold instead of attacking.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Sheppard adding physicality to his game would likely heavily take away from much of what makes him so effective, which puts him in an interesting position as a prospect. A WR1 role is probably not in the cards, but a high-end WR2 role absolutely is. He’s a monster in the red zone and has the advanced feel at any point to be instilled into an offense smoothly. He should become a valuable weapon at the next level who turns it up when teams need it most.
Prospect Grade:
- Late Second Round to Early Third Round
Film Exposures:
- 2024 vs. Nebraska
- 2024 vs. North Dakota State
- 2024 vs. Kansas State
Main Image: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
