FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – From Division II to the third-round of the NFL draft, to now practicing with the first-team defense, Nathan Shepherd has had a knack for defying expectations.
The 24-year-old defensive lineman has shined early in training camp, despite a bumpy road to professional football that saw him temporarily drop out of Canada’s Simon Fraser University before working enough odd jobs to help him pay tuition at his next college, Fort Hays State (they eventually offered him a scholarship). After five practices, the rookie has been a bright spot on the defensive line, and if he continues on this course, appears to be well on his way to earning a starting role.