Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Recruiting connection helps Shepherd find new home
9/25/2019 6:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — In August of 2018, Maryland junior linebacker Brett Shepherd made a difficult decision to leave the program prior to fall camp, putting his football future in the balance.
Due to personal reasons, Shepherd felt his potential would be better reached with a new team, and he had a feeling he knew where the perfect fit was.
Prior to joining Middle Tennessee's coaching staff as defensive coordinator in 2017, Scott Shafer was the defensive coordinator (2009-12) then head coach (2013-15) at Syracuse. While recruiting in 2015, he was tipped off about an undersized linebacker in Buford, Georgia playing at Collins Hill High School and decided to get in contact.
Shafer and Shepherd grew a bond immediately, so much so that when Shafer was let go by Syracuse, Shepherd, rated a three-star recruit by most publications, followed him to Maryland as a freshman in 2016.
While Shafer was only with the Terrapins for a few months, leaving his defensive coordinator duties because of personal reasons, he made an impression on Shepherd.
Fast forward two years to August of 2018 when Shepherd was looking to transfer, and the linebacker knew where he wanted to continue his career.
"[Shafer] was a huge influence on me coming to [Middle Tennessee]," Shepherd said. "It was a really good feeling knowing I had someone here that I already had a really well-established relationship with.
"I knew I was going to come here and give him 100%."
Shepherd has never lacked for talent on the gridiron, though it wasn't until he got into a college weight program when he really started to flourish.
As a senior at Collins Hill, he racked up 97 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine pass breakups despite missing three games due to injury. Then, in two years at Maryland, he played in 18 games while developing physically, putting on close to 20 pounds to his 6-foot-4 frame.
He's brought that same tenacity to Middle Tennessee, and now weighs in at about 230 pounds. When Shepherd mixes that size with his playing ability, he's tough to keep track of for opposing offenses.
"Brett's a really intense guy, and he's learning how to play the game consistently," Shafer said. "He spends a lot of time watching tape and wants to learn.
"He's hard on himself, and sometimes he's a little too hard on himself. He's a good player, sometimes he needs to just play."
Shepherd was forced to sit out the 2018 season, but has hit the ground running with the Blue Raiders as a redshirt junior this year.
He's recorded eight tackles and a quarterback hit in three games and made his first start in the blue and white in their last game against Duke.
"Last year really increased my love for the game," Shepherd said. "It made me a lot hungrier than I was beforehand."
"Coach Shafer, [linebackers coach Siriki Diabate] and [head coach Rick Stockstill] have done a lot to help my game. They've really helped me grow and mature as a man and have really helped my football intelligence, awareness — really, my overall ability."
When thinking about how his winding path has brought him to Murfreesboro, Shepherd said the only way to feel is blessed.
From the welcoming environment provided by his coaching staff and teammates to the culture of the university and Middle Tennessee community, the 'Boro has grown into a new home for him.
To think, it all started at Syracuse.
"This really does feel like the place for me," Shepherd said. "I'm just ready to get back on the field this Saturday."
Due to personal reasons, Shepherd felt his potential would be better reached with a new team, and he had a feeling he knew where the perfect fit was.
Prior to joining Middle Tennessee's coaching staff as defensive coordinator in 2017, Scott Shafer was the defensive coordinator (2009-12) then head coach (2013-15) at Syracuse. While recruiting in 2015, he was tipped off about an undersized linebacker in Buford, Georgia playing at Collins Hill High School and decided to get in contact.
Shafer and Shepherd grew a bond immediately, so much so that when Shafer was let go by Syracuse, Shepherd, rated a three-star recruit by most publications, followed him to Maryland as a freshman in 2016.
While Shafer was only with the Terrapins for a few months, leaving his defensive coordinator duties because of personal reasons, he made an impression on Shepherd.
Fast forward two years to August of 2018 when Shepherd was looking to transfer, and the linebacker knew where he wanted to continue his career.
"[Shafer] was a huge influence on me coming to [Middle Tennessee]," Shepherd said. "It was a really good feeling knowing I had someone here that I already had a really well-established relationship with.
"I knew I was going to come here and give him 100%."
Shepherd has never lacked for talent on the gridiron, though it wasn't until he got into a college weight program when he really started to flourish.
As a senior at Collins Hill, he racked up 97 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine pass breakups despite missing three games due to injury. Then, in two years at Maryland, he played in 18 games while developing physically, putting on close to 20 pounds to his 6-foot-4 frame.
He's brought that same tenacity to Middle Tennessee, and now weighs in at about 230 pounds. When Shepherd mixes that size with his playing ability, he's tough to keep track of for opposing offenses.
"Brett's a really intense guy, and he's learning how to play the game consistently," Shafer said. "He spends a lot of time watching tape and wants to learn.
"He's hard on himself, and sometimes he's a little too hard on himself. He's a good player, sometimes he needs to just play."
Shepherd was forced to sit out the 2018 season, but has hit the ground running with the Blue Raiders as a redshirt junior this year.
He's recorded eight tackles and a quarterback hit in three games and made his first start in the blue and white in their last game against Duke.
"Last year really increased my love for the game," Shepherd said. "It made me a lot hungrier than I was beforehand."
"Coach Shafer, [linebackers coach Siriki Diabate] and [head coach Rick Stockstill] have done a lot to help my game. They've really helped me grow and mature as a man and have really helped my football intelligence, awareness — really, my overall ability."
When thinking about how his winding path has brought him to Murfreesboro, Shepherd said the only way to feel is blessed.
From the welcoming environment provided by his coaching staff and teammates to the culture of the university and Middle Tennessee community, the 'Boro has grown into a new home for him.
To think, it all started at Syracuse.
"This really does feel like the place for me," Shepherd said. "I'm just ready to get back on the field this Saturday."
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