Nathan Daniel Shepherd Bio
Nathan Daniel Shepherd is a Canadian professional football defensive tackle currently playing for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Born in Ajax, Ontario, Shepherd developed his football skills with the Ajax/Pickering Dolphins Football Club before pursuing collegiate football at both Simon Fraser University and Fort Hays State University. He entered the NFL in 2018 when the New York Jets selected him in the third round of the NFL Draft. Shepherd has built his professional career as a disruptive interior defender known for his combination of size, power, and versatility along the defensive line.
Early Life and Background
Nathan Daniel Shepherd was born on October 9, 1993, in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in his hometown, Shepherd developed his passion for football at a young age by playing youth football with the Ajax/Pickering Dolphins Football Club. His early exposure to the sport helped develop the foundational skills that would later carry him to the collegiate level.
Shepherd attended J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate in Ajax, Ontario, Canada, for his high school education. During his time at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate, Shepherd honed his abilities as a defensive player, attracting attention from college programs on both sides of the border. His performance in high school set the stage for his pursuit of higher education and football at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Shepherd began his college football career at Simon Fraser University in 2012. He redshirted his first year with the Simon Fraser Clan before becoming a starter every game during his second year, lining up as a defensive end. After two years at Simon Fraser, Shepherd left the university due to financial constraints with tuition payments.
Following his departure from Simon Fraser, Shepherd spent time working various jobs to support himself, including employment at a plant nursery, in electrical construction, and at a cardboard box factory. His dedication to football remained strong during this period. Fort Hays State University eventually reached out to Shepherd with an opportunity to continue his football career. He was able to pay for his first semester of tuition before earning an athletic scholarship, marking the beginning of his journey at the NCAA Division II level.
At Fort Hays State University from 2015 to 2017, Shepherd developed into one of the most dominant defensive players in the country. His standout 2017 season culminated with him being named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Defensive Player of the Year. Shepherd also earned an invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl, becoming the first player from Fort Hays State to receive such an invitation. His performance during Senior Bowl practices significantly raised his draft stock as he displayed impressive speed, power, and technique against top offensive linemen in the nation.
Nathan Daniel Shepherd Career
Pre-Draft and NFL Combine (2017–2018)
Shepherd accepted his invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl, where he became the first player from Fort Hays State to participate in the prestigious all-star game. During Senior Bowl practices, Shepherd proved productive and saw his draft stock rise substantially after demonstrating his abilities against the nation’s top offensive linemen. He unfortunately suffered a broken hand during practice and was unable to participate in the actual game itself.
Shepherd attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and completed the majority of combine drills, though he opted to skip the bench press due to his fractured hand. His performance continued to generate attention throughout the draft process. On March 12, 2018, he held a pro day at Fort Hays State, performing positional drills for scouts and team representatives from 16 NFL teams in attendance, including private workouts for the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Houston Texans. NFL draft experts projected him as a second or third round pick, and DraftScout.com ranked him as the sixth best defensive tackle prospect in the draft.
New York Jets Era (2018–2022)
The New York Jets selected Nathan Daniel Shepherd in the third round with the 72nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the sixth defensive tackle drafted in 2018 and became only the third player in Fort Hays State history to be selected in the NFL Draft. Shepherd was also the first player drafted from Fort Hays State since Frankie Neal was chosen by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1987 NFL Draft. On May 14, 2018, the Jets signed Shepherd to a four-year contract worth $3.87 million that included a signing bonus of $987,724.
During his rookie season, Shepherd began establishing himself as a rotational defensive tackle. His second season brought challenges when he was suspended for six games in September 2019 for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. Shepherd later revealed that he had undergone sports hernia surgery in the off-season while also battling a shoulder issue and a herniated disc in his back. He stated that he used the substances in an effort to speed up his recovery, which led to the suspension. He was reinstated on October 29, 2019, and activated on November 1, 2019. On March 16, 2022, Shepherd signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets, continuing his tenure with the organization through the 2022 season.
New Orleans Saints Era (2023–Present)
On March 17, 2023, Shepherd signed a three-year contract worth $15 million with the New Orleans Saints. The move represented a new chapter in his career as he joined a Saints defense looking to strengthen its interior defensive line. Shepherd made an immediate impact in his first season with the Saints, ending the 2023 campaign with a career-best 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks while appearing in all 17 regular season games with 10 starts.
The 2024 season saw Shepherd continue his role as a steady presence along the Saints defensive line. During a Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Shepherd was involved in a notable play where he attempted to sack quarterback Justin Herbert. The incident drew attention when Shepherd was seen on the ground trying to bring down Herbert through an unnatural angle after the quarterback had already released the ball on a shovel pass. The play generated controversy, though the NFL later rescinded any fine upon appeal after Shepherd maintained he did not deliberately attempt to injure Herbert.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shepherd plays the defensive tackle position with a combination of size, power, and surprising athleticism for his frame. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 315 pounds, he brings an NFL-caliber body type with movement skills that allow him to line up at multiple positions along the defensive line. His strengths lie in his ability to collapse the pocket from the interior and disrupt both the passing and running games. Scouts have noted his powerful build and versatility to play both inside and outside, making him a valuable asset in various defensive schemes. His raw power enables him to push the pocket while his technique continues to develop with experience.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Shepherd’s most notable achievements was earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors during Week 10 of the 2025 season. In that game against the Carolina Panthers, Shepherd blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter of a 17-7 Saints victory, showcasing his ability to make impactful plays even in non-traditional situations for a defensive tackle. This recognition highlighted his continued value to the Saints defense and his ability to contribute in key moments throughout games. His career path from Division II Fort Hays State to becoming a significant contributor in the NFL represents a notable journey in professional football.
Nathan Daniel Shepherd Career Statistics
Across his NFL career with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, Shepherd has established himself as a reliable interior defender. His statistical output has shown steady production over his seven-plus seasons in the league, with his 2023 season with the Saints representing his most productive year statistically.
NFL Regular Season Career Statistics
Shepherd has accumulated 238 total tackles, 14 sacks, and 1 forced fumble across his NFL career through the 2025 season. His 14 career sacks demonstrate his ability to pressure quarterbacks from the interior of the defensive line. The single forced fumble in his career highlights his disruptive presence in the backfield on passing downs. His tackle numbers reflect his consistency in seeing regular playing time and making contributions against both the run and pass throughout his professional career.
College Career Highlights
At the collegiate level, Shepherd’s most decorated season came in 2017 with the Fort Hays State Tigers. That year he was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Defensive Player of the Year, the highest honor in the conference for defensive players. His invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl marked another significant milestone, as he became the first Fort Hays State player to receive such an invitation, testing his skills against the top senior prospects in the country.
Nathan Daniel Shepherd Family
Personal Life
Nathan Daniel Shepherd maintains his connection to his Canadian roots while building his professional career in the United States. His journey from Ajax, Ontario, through the challenges of leaving Simon Fraser University due to financial difficulties, working various jobs, and ultimately earning his way to Fort Hays State and then the NFL demonstrates resilience and determination. Shepherd’s story reflects the perseverance required to overcome obstacles on the path to professional sports.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has seen Nathan Daniel Shepherd continue his tenure with the New Orleans Saints defense. His standout moment came in Week 10 when he blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers, helping preserve a 17-7 Saints victory. The performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition, demonstrating his ability to make game-changing plays beyond his traditional role as a defensive tackle. Shepherd’s continued contributions in the middle of the Saints defensive line have provided stability and experience to the unit as the team works through its season objectives. His blend of veteran leadership and on-field production remains valuable to the Saints’ defensive schemes as they pursue their goals for the 2025 campaign.