It’s not official quite yet, but OU fans may be happy to hear that Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepard appears to be returning for his senior season.
Per John Shinn of the Norman Transcript, Shepard is seeking a draft grade, but he’s not planning on leaving behind OU just yet.
Sterling Shepard said he has put in to receive a draft grade, "but I have no intention of leaving." #Sooners
— John Shinn (@john_shinn) December 17, 2014
Sterling Shepard staying in Norman would definitely help sustain a level of experience. Though, unless Dorial Green-Beckham stays for 2015, there still doesn’t appear to be a clear-cut second-best receiver on this team.
Durron Neal has been serviceable and Michiah Quick could be something great, but there is still plenty of time for those players and others to develop and improve their skill set.
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Oklahoma would be grateful to have Sterling Shepard back, considering he’s been a staple in this offense since he joined the Sooners in 2012 as a true freshman.
His athleticism and play-making ability makes him one of the top receiving threats in the country, and if OU can keep Shepard around for 2015, then look for the passing game to open up even more with the possibility of Dorial Green-Beckham cashing in on his one season left of eligibility.
The Sooners may look to run the ball more with Samaje Perine, Keith Ford, Alex Ross, and an eligible Joe Mixon all competing for carries next year. However, OU will deal with a revamped offensive line, which could determine how much this team chooses to run or pass the ball.
There are a great deal of questions that need to be answered this upcoming off-season, but while no official statement has been made by Sterling Shepard or the university, Shinn’s tweet definitely offers some encouragement moving forward.
Worth mentioning, Sterling Shepard’s status is unclear for the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl between OU and the ACC’s Clemson Tigers. It appears Trevor Knight and Samaje Perine should be available, but I’m sure most of you will feel more at ease once the ball is kicked off and Knight and Perine and hopefully Shepard trot out on to the field to face Clemson in the Sunshine State.