Interview: Overlooked Kilgore 2018 WR Jonathan Shepherd has Dominating Next Level Physical Potential
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
Kilgore High School, located 120 miles east of Dallas in Kilgore, started the 2016 season 1-3 before turning it up a notch winning five of their last six games to finish the regular season 6-4. The Bulldogs easily took down Navasota, 29-13, in the first round of the playoffs before suffering a heartbreaking 27-21 loss to Stafford the following week to end their season.
One of their stars all season long was junior wide receiver Jonathan Shepherd. The 6’3.5”, 196 pound, wide receiver had a great season in 2016 despite the Bulldogs running the ball the majority of the time as Shepherd grabbed 17 receptions for 259 yards and four touchdowns. The most important touchdown grab of Shepherd’s season came on Oct. 14 when he snagged the game winning touchdown against an undefeated Henderson team. After the season Shepherd was named first team All-District.
The Class of 2018 recruit is drawing from several schools including Oklahoma State and Texas and has attended Junior Days at three different colleges. Shepherd not only works hard on the field to achieve his dream of playing college football but is also a hard worker in the classroom where he has 3.5 GPA and plans on studying kinesiology in college.
In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview, I sat down with Jonathan to talk about his junior season at Kilgore High School and his recruiting process.
Interview
What are your thoughts on the 2016 season?
“I liked our season. I think there was room for improvement but I think it went well.”
What are your thoughts on your individual performance last season?
“I think I did decent. I had room for improvement on all my skills on the field but overall I think it was pretty decent.”
What were your stats last year?
“The school I go to is a primarily a run-first school so I only had 17 catches for 259 yards which averaged out to 15.1 yards per catch, and I had four touchdowns.”
Did you receive any individual honors?
“First team All-District.”
What was your most memorable moment from last year?
“Last year while playing against the undefeated Henderson Lions, I caught the game winning touchdown pass with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter.”
Do you have any college offers?
“I do not.”
Are there any other schools showing interest in you?
“Oklahoma State, Texas and a few more.”
Have you been to any college camps or on any college visits?
“I have been on visits for Junior Days at Oklahoma State, Texas, and LSU.”
What are your strengths on the football field?
“Honestly, I’m an all-around type of player but my main strength is that I’m a fast guy so I’m good at the deep ball but I can break off for shorter routes.”
What is your most current height and weight?
“6’3.5” and 196 pounds.”
What is your fastest 40 yard dash time?
“4.47.”
Who has had the biggest impact on your football career and why?
“My Pops, because he always teaches me biblical lessons for my walk with the Father as I play football to better myself as a person and a player.”
What is your favorite part about playing football?
“Just going out there with my brothers and playing against good competition.”
How long have you been playing football? How old were you when you started?
“This still trips me out because I never played youth football because I was a baseball guy. My first year of football was my eighth grade year in middle school.”
Is there a current college or NFL player that you try to model your game after?
“Chad Johnson, “Ocho-Cinco”, because he had a great work ethic.”
What is your current GPA?
“3.5.”
What do you want to study in college?
“Kinesiology.”
Do you have any hobbies outside of school and football?
“I also run track and play baseball.”
Who is your favorite football player and favorite team?
“My favorite player is Odell Beckham Jr. and my favorite team is the Kansas City Chiefs.”
Do you have a favorite quote or Bible verse?
“The quote I go by is “Don’t chance the stars and miss the moon” and “Nothing catches God by surprise.” My favorite Bible verse is “To whom much is given much is required.”
Thank you for your time.
“Thank you, sir.”
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Picture credit: twitter.com; Kilgore WR Jonathan Shepherd at a Nike Opening camp.
Picture credit: twitter.com/JonathanShepherd; Kilgore WR Jonathan Shepherd and LSU Head Coach Ed Oregron at LSU Junior Days