Sterling Shepard

Sterling Clay Shepard Bio

Sterling Clay Shepard is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 40th overall pick after a standout college career at the University of Oklahoma. Throughout his NFL career, Shepard has established himself as a reliable possession receiver known for his quickness, reliable hands, and ability to work the middle of the field.

Early Life and Background

Sterling Clay Shepard was born on February 10, 1993, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City, where he excelled in multiple sports including football, basketball, and track and field. During his high school football career, Shepard rushed for 1,115 yards and caught 133 passes for 2,335 yards and 38 touchdowns. As a senior, he carried the ball 28 times for 303 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 73 passes for 1,243 yards and 17 touchdowns. Following his senior season, he was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game.

In track and field, Shepard competed as a senior in 2011 and placed second in the long jump at the State Meet with a leap of 6.69 meters (21 feet 11.5 inches). He was rated as a consensus four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, 247sports.com, and Scout.com. Shepard ultimately committed to play college football at the University of Oklahoma under head coach Bob Stoops.

Path to Professional Football

Shepard arrived at the University of Oklahoma in 2012 as a true freshman and made an immediate impact. He played in all 13 games with four starts, recording 45 receptions for 621 yards and three touchdowns. He made his collegiate debut on September 8 against Florida A&M, having three receptions for 48 yards. The following game against Kansas State, he had seven receptions for 108 yards and his first collegiate receiving touchdown.

As a sophomore in 2013, Shepard started 12 of 13 games and recorded 51 receptions for 603 yards and seven touchdowns. His best game of the season came on September 14 against Tulsa when he had eight receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. In the 2014 Sugar Bowl against Alabama, he recorded his first collegiate rushing touchdown on a 13-yard play. As a junior in 2014, he started 12 of 13 games and had career-high receiving games of 177 yards against Tulsa and 215 yards against TCU before suffering a groin injury that limited him in the final stretch of the season.

As a senior in 2015, Shepard played in all 14 games and had 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. His signature moment came on September 2 against Tennessee when he caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield with only 40 seconds remaining to force overtime, then caught an 18-yard game-winning pass in the second overtime. For his collegiate career, he finished with 233 receptions for 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns. He earned First-team All-American honors in 2015 and was a two-time First-team All-Big 12 selection in 2014 and 2015. He also received the Disney Spirit Award in 2014.

Sterling Clay Shepard Career

New York Giants (2016–2023)

Shepard was selected by the New York Giants in the second round with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, becoming the fifth wide receiver selected that year. On May 6, 2016, he signed a four-year, $5.94 million contract with $3.24 million guaranteed and a $2.52 million signing bonus. Going into the regular season, he was named a starting wide receiver alongside Odell Beckham Jr. He started the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys and made three receptions for 43 yards while catching his first career touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Eli Manning in the Giants 20-19 victory.

Shepard continued to emerge as a promising rookie receiver throughout the 2016 season. He caught a season-high eight passes for 117 yards against the New Orleans Saints and finished his rookie season with 65 receptions for 683 yards and eight touchdowns. The Giants made the playoffs with an 11-5 record, and Shepard had four receptions for 63 yards in the Wild Card Round loss to the Green Bay Packers. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team following the season.

In 2017, Shepard missed multiple games due to reported migraine issues but still recorded 59 receptions for 731 yards and two touchdowns. His standout game came in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers with a career-high 11 receptions for 142 yards. He caught a 77-yard touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles earlier that season. In 2018, he had 66 receptions for 872 yards and four touchdowns, including a 167-yard performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7.

On April 10, 2019, Shepard signed a four-year, $41 million contract extension with $21.3 million guaranteed. He finished the 2019 season with 57 receptions for 576 yards and three touchdowns. The 2020 season saw him placed on injured reserve with a toe injury in September but activated in October, finishing with 66 receptions for 656 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games. In 2021, he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 15 against the Cowboys, finishing with 36 receptions for 366 yards and one touchdown in seven games.

The 2022 season was cut short when Shepard tore his left ACL in Week 3 against the Cowboys, ending his season after just three games. On March 12, 2023, he signed a one-year contract to return to the Giants and appeared in 15 games with two starts, finishing with ten receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024–Present)

On June 10, 2024, Shepard signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was released during final roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on October 1, 2024. He finished the 2024 season with 32 receptions for 334 yards and one touchdown. On March 24, 2025, he signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract extension with the Buccaneers through the 2025 season.

Playing Style and Strengths

Shepard is known as a reliable possession receiver with quickness off the line of scrimmage and reliable hands. His strengths include his ability to work the middle of the field, create separation on short to intermediate routes, and contribute as a versatile receiver in various offensive packages. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 194 pounds, he has proven capable of playing both outside and in the slot while maintaining durability despite several significant injuries throughout his career.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Shepard has reached several milestones including his first NFL touchdown in the 2016 season opener against Dallas and his 40th overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. His $41 million extension with the Giants in 2019 represented a significant achievement in his career. His rookie season culminated in being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, establishing the foundation for his sustained NFL career spanning from 2016 to present.

Sterling Clay Shepard Career Statistics

Across his NFL career from 2016 through 2025, Shepard has established himself as a productive receiver with consistent statistical production. He has appeared in over 120 career games and contributed as both an outside receiver and slot option throughout his professional tenure.

NFL Career Highlights

In the NFL, Shepard has recorded 443 career receptions for 4,800 receiving yards and 25 receiving touchdowns through the 2025 season. He has also contributed 274 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on the ground. His rookie season in 2016 saw him catch 65 passes for 683 yards and eight touchdowns, immediately establishing himself as a reliable option in the Giants passing attack.

College Career Statistics

At the University of Oklahoma from 2012 to 2015, Shepard had 233 receptions for 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns across 53 career games. His most productive season came as a senior in 2015 with 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games. His best single-game collegiate performance was 215 receiving yards against TCU in 2014.

Sterling Clay Shepard Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Sterling Shepard comes from a distinguished football family. His father, Derrick Shepard, played college football at Oklahoma and went on to have a professional career in the NFL from 1987 to 1991 as a wide receiver. Unfortunately, Derrick Shepard died when Sterling was only six years old. Sterling’s uncles, Darrell Shepard (1980-81) and Woodie Shepard (1975-79), also played football at the University of Oklahoma, continuing the family’s strong connection to the program.

Personal Life

Sterling Shepard married model Chanel Iman on March 3, 2018. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Cali Clay Shepard, on August 10, 2018. Their second daughter, Cassie Snow Shepard, was born on December 17, 2019. In January 2022, Shepard and Iman announced they would be getting divorced. Shepard has since been in a relationship with his long-term girlfriend Carolyn Estephany.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked Shepard’s second year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after signing a one-year, $2.25 million extension in March. He appeared in 13 games and served as a reliable veteran presence in the Buccaneers receiving corps. For the season, Shepard recorded 39 receptions for 371 yards and one touchdown, showing consistent contributions in the passing game despite the team’s varying results throughout the campaign.

The Buccaneers utilized Shepard in various offensive packages, taking advantage of his experience and reliability in the short-to-intermediate passing game. His veteran leadership proved valuable in a receiving room that often featured younger players. The connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield, his former Oklahoma teammate, continued to provide chemistry and familiarity in the offensive scheme throughout the season.