After being dismissed from the Orange for a violation of team rules, Sheppard has announced that he will be a Reb.
The crootin’ wins just keep on coming for Ole Miss as they snagged the transfer of Qaadir Shepard Friday night. The former Syracuse Orange defensive end announced on Instagram that he will be transferring to Ole Miss for the 2016 season. The former three-star linebacker from The Bronx will be in Oxford soon, but will have to sit out one year due to NCAA transfer rules before having three years of eligibility to play.
Sheppard was dismissed earlier this year from Syracuse after failing two drug tests. With this transfer, Ole Miss DC Dave Wommack adds yet another piece for the Landsharks after missing out on some big names in the 2016 cycle.
Before signing with Syracuse in 2015, Sheppard held offers from Boston College, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple, UCF and Virginia. Qaadir only recorded stats in two games in 2015 and collected one tackle and one interception. The former No. 58 outside linebacker in the country and No. 4 player in New York was in the same class as current Rebel Austrian Robinson.
How does he fit in?
The 6’3″, 247-pound defensive end and outside linebacker from the Bronx is an impressive athlete. During his senior year at Iona Prep, Sheppard snagged 58 passes for 842 yards and 13 touchdowns while collecting 8 sacks and 5 fumble recoveries. He played comfortably at 225-pounds before adding some weight in college to beef up to play with his hand in the dirt. Depending on what Ole Miss does in the 2017 cycle at linebacker, he could be asked to slim down a bit and play at the second level.
He has a similar skill set to Marquis Haynes and a similar playing style. Runs around like his hair is on fire and arrives at the ballcarrier with bad intentions. The former 2014 Rivals Camp MVP has a relentless motor and uses his length well to shed defenders and pursue the quarterback. At Ole Miss, he could step right in when Haynes leaves or be the next impact guy on the outside like Demarquis Gates.