Shepard Goes to Giants in NFL Draft Second Round

NORMAN — Wide receiver Sterling Shepard became the 76th University of Oklahoma player selected in the NFL Draft under 17-year head coach Bob Stoops when he was picked by the New York Giants with the No. 9 selection in the second round (40th overall choice) Friday evening.

One of the most accomplished receivers in OU history, Shepard was a first-team All-American by ESPN as a senior last season after leading the Sooners in receptions (86; third most in school single-season history), reception yards (1,288; 99.1 per game) and receiving touchdowns (11).

The 2015 Biletnikoff Award semifinalist started 41 of his 50 career games, including all 37 his final three seasons. Shepard ranks second at OU in career receptions (233) and career receiving yards (3,482). He also ranks third at OU in career touchdown catches (26) and career 100-yard receiving games (12). Shepard also shares the school single-game record with 15 receptions (vs. Kansas State in 2014).

"It was an amazing feeling, one that I've been waiting to have since I was a little kid."
Sterling Shepard

The Giants finished 6-10 last season and in third place in the NFC East Division. Their leading receiver was Odell Beckham Jr., who caught 96 passes for 1,450 yards (fifth most in NFL) and 13 touchdowns (tied for fourth most). New York is under the direction of rookie head coach Ben McAdoo. It won Super Bowls in the 2007 and 2011 seasons with current quarterback Eli Manning at the helm.

"I was watching the draft with my family and friends in downtown OKC on top of a building, and Coach McAdoo hit me up and told me that they were going to grab me," said Shepard not long after being selected. "It was an amazing feeling, one that I've been waiting to have since I was a little kid. It was definitely exciting."

When asked what he knows about the Giants, Shepard quickly rattled off three names important to him.

"Eli Manning, Odell Beckham and Victor Cruz are guys I've looked up to for a long time," he said. "I can't wait to be a part of the organization and call myself a Giant. I know they have die-hard fans there, similar to Oklahoma. I just can't wait to get out there and go to work."

Shepard is OU's highest selection since offensive tackle Lane Johnson was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft, and becomes the 25th Sooner under Stoops to go in the first or second round. He is also the fifth OU wide receiver in the last five years to be selected in the NFL Draft (Jalen Saunders in 2014, Kenny Stills and Justin Brown in 2013, and Ryan Broyles in 2012).

"I'm Sooner born and Sooner bred, and when I die I'll be Sooner dead, for real. I love the Sooners and I appreciate everything all the fans have meant to me and my family."
Sterling Shepard

"Sterling is one of the most competitive players that we've had here," said Stoops. "Everyone knows he excels in route running and has exceptional ball skills, but he also brings a fire to the field and the locker room that will be difficult to replace. He is a tireless worker and is fearless over the middle. With that attitude and his skill set, I think he'll excel in the NFL."

Shepard closed by offering some parting words for OU fans Friday night.

"I'm Sooner born and Sooner bred, and when I die I'll be Sooner dead, for real. I love the Sooners and I appreciate everything all the fans have meant to me and my family. Without them, it would have been rough. So I appreciate all of them."

Shepard's late father, Derrick, who was also a receiver at Oklahoma, played five years in the NFL (1987-91) with the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys. He won a Super Bowl title with Washington during the 1987 season.

More Quotes on Shepard

New York Giants Head Coach Ben McAdoo

"Got a great pick tonight (in) Sterling Shepard. Tremendous young man, high character, plays the game the right way, plays the game the way it should be played. A feisty player, can separate both inside and outside, strong hands, he'll block you and we're fortunate to have him; fortunate that he was on the board when he was."

New York Giants General Manager Jerry Reese

"Slot receiver, has some return specialist to him. Teriffic competitor. Just everything you want in a slot/wide receiver. Our coaches believe he can play on the outside some, as well. Highest player on our board. You guys think I'm kidding when I say that, but highest player on our board. We had a couple other names around him that we liked as well, but there was too much value for us to pass this guy up. We think he's going to come in NFL ready to play right now and he'll be right in our receiver corps.

"That name (Victor Cruz) came up when our scout group talked about him. That's one of the names that came up, a young Victor Cruz. Very similar in some ways, body type. The one thing about this kid is he's 5-10 and some change, but his strike zone is bigger than that. He's got a 41-inch vertical jump, he's got big hands. He's a tenacious slot receiver, runs after the catch. Get the ball to him quick and he does some nice things after the catch, as well."

New York Giants Vice President of Player Evaluation Marc Ross

"You go to certain schools, there's young guys like, 'Man, who is that guy?' He's been that guy at Oklahoma, just because he's always made plays, quick, athletic, competitive, savvy. He's just been a playmaker for them since the time he stepped on campus.

"The offense they run at Oklahoma, he runs all the routes. Unlike some of the college systems now where they run up the field and just turn around, this guy runs an NFL route tree."