{"id":41943,"date":"2018-04-13T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=41943"},"modified":"2021-03-17T20:26:32","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T00:26:32","slug":"nathan-shepherd-2018-nfl-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/04\/13\/nathan-shepherd-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Nathan Shepherd 2018 NFL Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview
\nPosition<\/strong>: Interior defensive lineman
\nHeight<\/strong>: 6’5″
\nWeight<\/strong>: 315 pounds
\nSchool<\/strong>: Fort Hays State Tigers<\/p>\n

Combine Performance Data
\n40-yard dash<\/strong>: 5.09 seconds
\nVertical jump<\/strong>: 31 inches
\nBroad jump<\/strong>: 9 feet, 4 inches
\nThree-cone drill<\/strong>: 7.50 seconds
\n20-yard shuttle<\/strong>: 4.53 seconds<\/p>\n

Nathan Shepherd 2018 NFL Draft Profile<\/strong><\/h1>\n

A native of Ajax, Ontario, Canada, Nathan Shepherd<\/strong> began his collegiate career at Simon Fraser<\/a> University in Vancouver. That program is notable for producing the highest number of players drafted by CFL teams. In his lone year with the Clan, Shepherd played nine games and registered 2.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. He came to the school having played linebacker in high school and weighing slightly over 200 pounds.<\/p>\n

To say he bulked up since then would be quite the understatement. Shepherd transferred to Division II Fort Hays State in Kansas ahead of his sophomore year. In the three years since he’s morphed into a 300+ pound defensive tackle and a legitimate NFL prospect at the position. He started all 36 games for the Tigers during that span and improved his ability to make plays in the backfield each season. It culminated in him tallying four sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss as a senior en route to Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association defensive player of the year and D-II All-American honors.<\/p>\n

Shepherd received a Senior Bowl invite and held his own in drills against players from more established programs. Though he broke his hand that week and was unable to play in the game, he healed up in time for the Combine and continued to impress scouts. Shepherd is looking to become just the third draftee out of Fort Hays State and the first since Frankie Neal<\/a><\/strong> went to the Green Bay Packers<\/a> in the third round of the 1987 draft.<\/p>\n

Strengths<\/h2>\n