There have been more than 40 draft-eligible players who’ve elected to leave school early for the NFL in the past month or so, but this one, if it goes down as speculated, is arguably the most head-scratching of the bunch.
While LSU has yet to officially confirm, rumors surfaced earlier today that LSU wide receiver Russell Shepard was leaving school early in order to make himself available for the April draft. In a tweet posted to his Twitter account, Shepherd appeared to confirm the speculation.
“Thanks for your support Tiger Nation...but I have to do what’s best for my family and myself...Geaux Tigers,” the receiver wrote earlier today. That tweet was preceded by one from Tuesday which read “I have a hard decision to make.”
Attempts to confirm Shepherd’s football future -- including whether a transfer might be in the cards -- through LSU have proven fruitless.
Shepard came to the Tigers in 2009 as a heralded five-star recruit rated and the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback of the class, but was moved to receiver full-time following his true freshman season after never having attempted a pass. During his three years in Baton Rouge, Shepard caught 52 passes for 478 yards and five touchdowns. His best season was in 2010 when he had 33 receptions for 254 yards, although his four touchdown receptions in 2011 were second on the team.
Thanks in part to a three-game suspension due to NCAA issues early on, Shepard’s role in LSU’s offense this season was curtailed compared to 2010. That limited role continued into the BcS title game Monday, after which Shepard lamented, again on Twitter, his lack of playing time.
And, apparently, those were the last three plays of a LSU career that begin with a ton of hope and potential, and likely ended with an uncertain future at the next level as it’s not out of the realm of possibility Shepard could go undrafted.