Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Sheppard Signs With U.A.P.B.

D.D. Sheppard signed a national letter of intent to play college football with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

The signing was done Wednesday, Feb. 7 in the media center of the new Gurdon High School, with Sheppard's high school mentor John Pace, and mom, Fannie Sheppard, looking on.

In addition, senior members of the Go-Devil grid squad gathered around to watch him sign.

Sheppard rushed for 1,284 yards during his senior year in football for Gurdon. He had 190 rushing attempts and averaged 6.76 yards per carry over the season.

LaTraia Jones, defensive coordinator at UAPB, said Sheppard will either be a running back or receiver for the Golden Lions.

"We've heard great things about D.D. all year," Jones said. "We started watching him in his junior and senior years. He is one of our No. 1 picks as far as running backs. We beat out some great schools to get him."

Sheppard had also been recruited by the University of Arkansas, Jackson State, Louisiana Tech University and Grambling University.

He said UAPB was picked because he wanted to stay in state and it's relatively close to home.

"I like the coach (Lee Hardeman) and I think I'll get playing time there," Sheppard said.

"I think they'll be a good team in the future."

Sheppard plans to run and lift weights in the off season as he prepares to take the next step in his football career. "I'm going to try and get bigger, stronger and faster," he said.

Once basketball season ends, Sheppard will be a member of the Go-Devil track team.

He also plans on working to pull his grades up and get his ACT score higher as well.

Pace said this is a good opportunity for Sheppard. "I think he'll do well there."