Tag: Will Sheppard

Colorado wide receiver Will Sheppard asked about facing Utah’s defense

Will Sheppard spoke on the challenges of facing Utah

Colorado wide receiver Will Sheppard is no stranger to the physical aspect of playing on the outside. He often uses his big body to his advantage in the red zone and can catch the ball in traffic for a first down. So when Sheppard describes Utah’s defense as physical, you take notice.

The Utes aren’t having the type of season anyone thought they would coming into the year. Utah has battled injuries, particularly at quarterback, and has spiraled to a 4-5 (1-5 Big 12) record. Still, Utah’s defense is as potent as ever, leading the conference with an average of 17.1 points allowed per game.

Sheppard, who’s coming off a season-high eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown against Texas Tech, spoke on what he expects to see from Utah’s defense on Saturday:

“Pretty physical defense all around,” Sheppard said. “They’re (Utah) going to play man. They’re going to play one-high. They’re going to do it all. They’re going to be relentless.”

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Saints scout two of the 2025 draft’s best prospects at Colorado

The Saints stopped at Colorado’s campus to scout two of the 2025 draft’s best prospects. They’re in position to draft Travis Hunter or Shedeur Sanders, but will they?


We’ll see how the standings shake out after this week’s round of NFL games, but right now the New Orleans Saints are slotted in at the fifth overall pick in the 2025 draft after their 2-6 start to the season. That’s prime position to select a top prospect like Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter or standout quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

And last week the Saints were one of five NFL teams who stopped by Colorado’s campus in Boulder to scout the Buffaloes. Hunter is seen as a franchise-altering talent at either wide receiver or cornerback, and Sanders is competing with Miami’s Cameron Ward to be the first passer selected. It makes sense that the Saints would be keeping tabs on each of them.

But those aren’t Colorado’s only NFL prospects. Wide receiver Will Sheppard and safety Shilo Sanders should both be drafted in the middle rounds or early on Day 3. Another wideout, Jimmy Horn Jr., is a rising star, too.

Campus visits like this are common for NFL teams, so don’t read too deeply into it. They’re often used for information-gathering so scouts can fill out their reports after meeting with coaches, trainers, and even academic counselors. But if the Saints keep losing and end up in position to pick a playmaker like Hunter or Sanders? Well. Stranger things have happened.

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Shedeur Sanders throws dime to Will Sheppard for touchdown at Arizona

Shedeur Sanders showed off his accuracy on a beautiful touchdown pass to Will Sheppard

Especially on offense, the Colorado Buffaloes are off to an impressive start in Saturday’s Big 12 football game against the Arizona Wildcats.

Running back Isaiah Augustave and wide receiver Drelon Miller each scored a touchdown in the first quarter before fellow WR Will Sheppard joined the party early in the second quarter. With the Buffs up 14-7, quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw a perfect fade to Sheppard, who made a one-handed grab in the end zone.

Sheppard’s touchdown catch marked the 24th of his college career and his third in a Colorado uniform.

Other Buffs who’ve impressed in the first half include wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (99 receiving yards), safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (four total tackles) and defensive end BJ Green II (one sack, one TFL).

As of this writing, Colorado holds a 21-7 lead over Arizona late in the second quarter.

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Deion Sanders asked about Omarion Miller’s role following big game

Deion Sanders was asked about where Omarion Miller stands in Colorado’s crowded wide receiver room

Colorado football wide receivers Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr. and LaJohntay Wester have all solidified starting spots.

However, Vanderbilt transfer Will Sheppard, the usual fourth WR on the field, has had his starting position called into question by the CU faithful. Sheppard has caught 13 passes for 148 yards this season through four games, but some have expected more. Most notably, the graduate student dropped a deep, would-have-been game-tying touchdown pass prior to Wester’s miraculous grab against Baylor, which has warranted some flack.

With Omarion Miller coming alive in the same game with a 58-yard touchdown, head coach Deion Sanders was asked if the sophomore wide receiver would receive a larger role moving forward.

“The guys rotate, I think they rotate quite a bit,” Sanders said during his weekly Tuesday presser. “(Miller) got in there and made a tremendous play, but we got a plethora of receivers, man. You can close your eyes and pick. I don’t think it’s any controversy. We know Will is the guy, he’s a dawg. Omarion will come in and do his thing. This stuff is established in practice, not in the game. It’s the consistency at practice; that’s how we choose who starts and who does not start.”

Whether a change against the UCF Knights is in effect will have to be seen, but Sanders’ answer offers trust in Sheppard and Miller.

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Will Sheppard looking to help Shedeur Sanders on jump balls

For Will Sheppard, jump balls aren’t a 50/50 proposition

The Colorado Buffaloes and quarterback Shedeur Sanders needed a big wide receiver to replace Xavier Weaver, and they found one of the best on the market in Vanderbilt transfer Will Sheppard.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Sheppard comes to Boulder as a graduate student who earned a four-star transfer rating from 247Sports and should be among the top four wideouts on the Buffs’ depth chart when the season starts.

Ahead of his Buffs debut, Sheppard wants fans to know that when he’s going up for a jump ball, it won’t be a 50/50 proposition. I spoke to Sheppard during CU’s fall sports media day last week and asked him how he’ll impact the offense:

“My best attribute is my ball skills, just being able to be an outlet,” Sheppard said. “If Shedeur (Sanders) was ever in trouble, he can throw it up and know that it’s not a 50/50 ball. It’s gonna be more like 80/20 and an opportunity for me to go make that play.”

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Will Sheppard reels in athletic touchdown catch during Colorado’s first preseason practice

Will Sheppard made an athletic touchdown catch in Colorado’s first preseason practice

New Colorado football wide receiver Will Sheppard made his presence known during the Buffs’ first preseason practice on Monday when he and quarterback Shedeur Sanders connected on a touchdown.

Sheppard, an incoming transfer from Vanderbilt, created just enough separation from cornerback Braden Keith and Sanders dropped the pass in perfectly. Considering Sheppard didn’t arrive in Boulder until after spring ball, his visible chemistry with Sanders is encouraging.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound graduate student reeled in 2,067 receiving yards, including a career-best 776 in 2022, and 21 touchdowns throughout his four seasons with the Commodores.

Sheppard wasn’t the only Colorado player to make considerable noise on day one, however. Still settling into his new position, linebacker Trevor Woods recorded two interceptions, according to CU insider Uncle Neely.

Check out the video of Sheppard’s athletic touchdown catch below (h/t Well Off Media):

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College Sports Wire picks Colorado’s top breakout candidate

College Sports Wire gave its pick for each Big 12 team’s top breakout candidate. Here’s who was selected for Colorado:

Last week, College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn named his top breakout candidate for every Big 12 football team, and wide receiver Will Sheppard was his pick for the Colorado Buffaloes.

It’s hard to argue with the logic behind choosing Sheppard, as the wide receiver made many plays for the Vanderbilt Commodores over the past four years. Though Sheppard will still be rocking gold and black, he now steps into a much better opportunity to showcase his skills playing in a pass-first offense led by Shedeur Sanders, one of the top quarterbacks in college football.

Here’s what Conn had to say about Sheppard:

Vanderbilt transfer Will Sheppard could be a major player on that offense as long as the rebuilt offensive line holds up. Despite playing for the Commodores, who aren’t known for offensive prowess, Sheppard hauled in 107 passes for 1,460 yards and 17 touchdowns in the past two seasons. What can he do in 2024 with Sanders throwing the ball his way?

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Will Sheppard labeled as important ‘X-factor’ player for Colorado

Largely because he didn’t arrive in Boulder until after spring ball, Will Sheppard hasn’t received enough attention this offseason

While superstars such as quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way player Travis Hunter are expected to be relied on heavily again, Colorado football’s success next season will ultimately require others to step up when called upon.

Largely because he didn’t arrive in Boulder until after spring ball, incoming transfer Will Sheppard hasn’t received enough attention since committing to the Buffs in mid-December. The former Vanderbilt wide receiver dominated in the SEC over the past three seasons and could certainly work his way into a starting role this fall.

With the Commodores, Sheppard racked up over 2,000 receiving yards, including a career-best 776 in 2022, and 21 touchdowns across four years. His impressive production should only continue with Sanders as his new quarterback.

Scott Procter of The Coloradoan recently labeled Sheppard as a key “X-factor” player for the Buffaloes. Here’s some of what Procter wrote on Sheppard:

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound WR arrived in Boulder on May 21 after racking up more than 2,000 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns over the last three years in the SEC, including 684 yards and eight touchdowns last season. If Sheppard and Sanders can quickly grow a rapport, this passing offense will be one of college football’s most explosive.

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Colorado earns commitment from former All-SEC wide receiver

One of the top available transfer portal WRs gave his commitment to Colorado

The pieces are coming together for Colorado’s offense to be very, very strong next season. Head coach Deion Sanders has already put plenty of work into fixing his O-line and on Thursday, the Buffs earned a commitment from four-star transfer portal wide receiver Will Sheppard.

This past year at Vanderbilt, Sheppard led the Commodores with 684 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. In 2022, the 6-foot-3, 198-pound Sheppard racked up 776 receiving yards and was named second-team All-SEC.

Sheppard is the second transfer WR to join the Buffs this offseason. North Carolina State defector Terrell Timmons Jr. was the first.

As you’d expect, people were excited about Sheppard’s commitment to Coach Prime’s Buffs:

Auburn offers former All-SEC wide receiver Will Sheppard

Auburn has offered Vanderbilt transfer Will Sheppard as they look to address the need at wide receiver.

Auburn is once again reshaping its wide receiver room and the latest name to know is former Vanderbilt wide receiver [autotag]Will Sheppard[/autotag].

Sheppard would be a great fit for [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and Auburn, he is a bigger-bodied receiver at 6-foot-3 and has proven he can produce in the SEC, something Auburn desperately needs. He led Vanderbilt with 47 receptions for 684 yards and 8 touchdowns last season.

His best season was in 2022 when the Associated Press named him second-team All-SEC after catching 60 passes for 776 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Auburn will have plenty of competition to land Sheppard, he has already received offers from South Carolina, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. The Louisiana native will have one season of eligibility at his next school.

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