Interview: 3-Star 2022 Ohio DT Derrick Shepard is a Beast in the Making
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
It does not take long watching Derrick Shepard play to see how immensely talented he is in the trenches. The Class of 2022 Archbishop Alter High School (Dayton) defensive tackle tore apart opposing offensive lines throughout the 2019 season earning three-star recruiting status along with offers from Cincinnati and Toledo. As dominating as Shepard was during his sophomore campaign, he is just starting to put all the pieces of the puzzle together leaving tremendous upside for the 6-3, 315-pound, beast in the making.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of Ohio’s top rising 2022 recruits to learn more about his game and early recruiting process.
Interview
Derrick, you have a relentless motor on defense routinely beating centers and/or guards off the snap count they know is coming. What is your mindset when you take the field on defense?
“My mindset is to dominate every play, use my hands, and communicate with my teammates on what is happening from watching film.”
In one-on-one match-ups, you are winning against the other team’s offensive linemen. As the season went on, or even over the course of a game when their coaches realize their guy could not block you straight up, how were teams scheming against you?
“They were sending two or three guys at me, but my linebackers and defensive tackle were making plays. When they did that, someone was always left unblocked. One person on me was not going to beat me.”
When the 2019 season had ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game?
“My fit against run block, the work on my hands, and the work on my pass rush. I am labeled as a run stopper, but I got better against pass blocking. I got better at watching film and knowing what they will do before running it.”
Did you play any offense last season?
“In two games I played on offense. Next year I will be going both ways.”
Where will we see you on offense in 2020?
“Probably at offensive tackle, but I can play all five positions on the offensive line.”
Which areas of your game are you working on this winter?
“Using my hands, getting my hips better, and my pass rush moves.”
Your play on the field is attracting a college crowd. Which schools are showing interest?
“Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Miami-Ohio, Purdue, Iowa, Ole Miss, and Ohio State, and I have two offers from Cincinnati and Toledo.”
Over the last few months, have you taken any unofficial visits?
“Yes. I have visited Ohio State, Georgia Tech, and Cincinnati.”
If you will, tell me about the Ohio State visit?
“It was cool. I met their defensive line coaches and I met their players in locker room. I saw how the coaches cared about their players and I saw how their players compete.”
Since you have an offer from them, how did the Cincinnati trip turn out?
“It was fine. No one knew me, but it was fun. The atmosphere there was cool. It was fun watching how they competed.”
Are you planning any visits for this spring?
“I am going to Cincinnati again, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and Notre Dame.”
Derrick, it was great catching up with you today. Wishing you success on your upcoming visits and with your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Shepard family; Derrick Shepard at Georgia Tech