MOBILE, Ala. – Fort Hays State All-America defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd made his presence known on the first two days of practice at the Reese's Senior Bowl. Unknown to many entering the event, his efforts drew major attention from several NFL scouts and team personnel on the first day of practice Tuesday (Jan. 23), then carried the intensity over to Wednesday before experiencing a minor setback.
 
Shepherd was one of four players from either NCAA Division II or III to accept invites to the Reese's Senior Bowl, an event loaded with elite players from Division I. Offensive linemen Alex Cappa (Humboldt State) and Desmond Harrison (West Georgia) were the other invitees from Division II besides Shepherd. Michael Joseph, the Cliff Harris Award (Small College Defensive Player of the Year) winner from University of Dubuque, was the only Division III accepted invite. Often players from Division II and III fly under the radar of many NFL scouts and teams, but that is no longer the case for Shepherd who made the most of his opportunity in the first two days on the field in Mobile.
 
Late in practice Wednesday, Shepherd suffered a broken bone in his hand, which will need a few weeks to heal. However, by receiving high praise from several scouts and media covering the Senior Bowl, Shepherd is now on the radar of several NFL teams as the NFL Scouting Combine approaches in early March and the NFL Draft is just three months away in late April. The annual Senior Bowl game will take place on Saturday at 1:30 pm CT on NFL Network.

See the attention Shepherd drew in the posts below.


 
 

Nathan Shepherd is already turning heads in practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl. Game is Saturday, 1:30 pm on NFL Network. Senior Bowl Day 2 Recap: Mayfield makes his appearance, Nathan Shepherd steals the show. https://t.co/Owi4yEQ9NN via @MileHighReport

— FHSU Athletics (@fhsuathletics) January 24, 2018

 

@seniorbowl Playor of the Day, was @FHSUFootball DT/DE Nathan Shepherd, 8 total players earned note worthy grades but the North team's #97 was written down time and time again, unstoppable today pic.twitter.com/eeLhsMCsNy

— College2Pro.com (@BoMarchionte) January 24, 2018

 

2018 #SeniorBowl Recap from Day 1

Small school player makes a big time impact on Tuesday – #Bucs must take notice.

?? | https://t.co/6OEOzRVo7U pic.twitter.com/IBiwRCj6YK

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 24, 2018

 

DL Nathan Shepherd is done for the week with a broken hand, but the damage is done. This guy has exploded onto the national landscape. Here's a look at some of his traits. https://t.co/j8POSivS3n

— Kyle Crabbs (@NDTScouting) January 25, 2018

 

High praise for @FortHaysState product Nathan Shepherd from @MikeMayock on the @nflnetwork. Calling him a powerful "people mover".

Shepherd's one of only three @D2Football players in the @seniorbowl.#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/5Wzh2Vfm4j

— Lance Snow (@KWCHLance) January 24, 2018

 

Are you dreaming?

The answer is no. Locked on NFL Draft and Draft Dudes teamed up AGAIN to break down day 2 of Senior Bowl practices@NDTScouting @TheJoeMarino @TampaBayTre and yours truly, with takes on Baker, Shepherd, Turay, Samuels and tons morehttps://t.co/JWHgmmI0st

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 24, 2018

 

Everyone will be hyping up Marcus Davenport(will be a top 10 pick) but Nathan Shepherd is going to be a household name after this week. He's about 6'4, 310, powerful and athletic and for the first time in years, won't be double/tripe teamed every snap.

— Underdogs of War (@Randyljobst) January 23, 2018

 

Fort Hays State DT Nathan Shepherd broke his hand at the Senior Bowl today. Dude was killing it and really opening some eyes. Should still get a shot though somewhere

— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) January 25, 2018

 

This defensive tackle might be an #NFL long-shot, but Nathan Shepherd has been tearing up the #SeniorBowl.

STORY via @CarlDumlerMHH: https://t.co/D8M1Lri0b7 pic.twitter.com/pwSMysEKka

— Mile High Huddle (@MileHighHuddle) January 24, 2018

There were plenty of posts about Shepherd nationally over the first two days of practice, but the above shows the impact level and impression he made on many covering the event. The 2017 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year will now take a bit of time to heal, but this not the type of injury that will cause a major derailment on his track toward a chance to play in the NFL. Keep an eye on fhsuathletics.com and @fhsuathletics on Twitter for more updates on Shepherd as the NFL Draft (April 26-28) draws near.