Training Camp Beckons for Sterling Shepard, Trio of Other ’16 OU NFL Picks
By Chip Rouse
In about three weeks, a flood of rookies from the 2016 draft will be descending on NFL training camps. Among those from the NFL Draft Class of 2016 who have already thoroughly impressed their new teams is former Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard.
A total of 377 Oklahoma players have been selected in the annual NFL Draft in the 81 years the draft has been in existence (since 1936). Few schools have been as consistent as OU in delivering NFL talent. At least one Oklahoma player has been picked in the NFL Draft process in 79 of the 81 years.
Four Sooners were selected in this year’s draft held in April, raising the number of Oklahoma draft picks to 79 since Bob Stoops became head coach 17 seasons ago. The Sooners are one of two schools to have no fewer than four players selected every year since 2008.
Shepard was a second-round selection of the New York Giants, the 40th player overall to be taken in this year’s NFL Draft. Few players selected from Oklahoma over the years have made as good a first impression at the next level as the rookie Shepard has with the Giants.
The former Oklahoma receiver has drawn high praise from the Giants’ All-Pro No. 1 receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and that isn’t easy to come by for a rookie. Beckham told the media covering the Giants organized team activities (OTAs) recently that he believes Shepard has a good shot at being the Offensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL this season.
“He’s (Shepard) going to be a phenomenal player,” Beckham said in an article by Oklahoma City Oklahoman staff writer Darnell Mayberry. “He can run routes, he can catch he can pretty much do it all. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing him develop.”
“I just feel like I really know what he’s (Shepard) capable of,” Beckham told James Kratch of NJ.com, “and I’d rather him just shock the world than spill his secrets.”
Shepard ranks second in career receptions (233) and receiving yards (3,482). Of his 233 catches in a four-year career at Oklahoma, 145 were for first downs. That was the most in the Big 12 during that time span. Shepard’s 86 catches in his senior season were the third most in program history.
Rookies like Shepard are scheduled to report to the New York Giants preseason training camp on July 28. Meanwhile, around that same time three other Oklahoma Sooners who were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft – defensive end Charles Tapper (Dallas Cowboys), defensive back Zack Sanchez (Carolina Panthers) and linebacker Devante Bond (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) will be reporting to their first NFL preseason training camps.