NFL · Biography
Sterling Shepard
Wide receiver · New York Jets · practice squad · OU 2012-2015
Heritage Hall star carrying on a proud Sooner family legacy
Sterling Shepard was born in Oklahoma City and starred at Heritage Hall School, where he piled up 133 receptions for 2,335 yards and 38 touchdowns in his career and was selected to the Under Armour All-American Game.
At Oklahoma (2012–2015) Shepard became one of the most reliable receivers in school history. He played all 13 games as a true freshman, and as a senior in 2015 he caught 86 passes for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns, including a game-winning double-overtime touchdown catch from Baker Mayfield against Tennessee, and earned first-team All-American honors. He finished his Sooner career with 233 receptions, 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns.
The New York Giants selected Shepard in the second round (40th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft, and he caught his first career touchdown in his NFL debut. He spent eight seasons with the Giants, then two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching 39 passes in 2025. After a brief stint with the Houston Texans in August 2026, he signed with the New York Jets' practice squad on September 15, 2026.
As of October 8, 2026, Shepard is on the Jets' practice squad, still competing a decade into his NFL career.