Will Sheppard NFL Draft stock: Colorado WR's potential landing spot explored after Alamo Bowl

Colorado wide receiver Will Sheppard was one of the Buffaloes' players alongside quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, who played their last college game in their 36-14 blowout loss to BYU in Saturday's Alamo Bowl. In the game, Sheppard tallied four yards on one reception, encapsulating the struggling Buffs offense that mustered 104 offensive yards behind Hunter's 106 yards.

According to PFN Draft analyst Ian Cummings, in the 2025 NFL draft, Sheppard projects as a late second- or early third-round prospect to the Dallas Cowboys or the Tennessee Titans, both of whom are in need of depth options in the wide receiver room.

Will Sheppard gets high draft praise from Shedeur Sanders

Will Sheppard was a three-star prospect per 247Sports in the Class of 2020 from Mandeville High School, Louisiana, when he committed to the Vanderbilt Commodores.

He steadily increased his production from 30 yards on two passes caught in his freshman year to starting 11 games the next year, where he tallied 577 yards on 43 receptions for four touchdowns. In 2022, Sheppard had his best year statistically, registering 776 yards on 60 receptions for nine touchdowns.

Last year, he played in all 12 games, managing 684 yards on 85 receptions for eight touchdowns before entering the transfer portal and joining coach Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes.

During his weekly news conference, Shedeur Sanders was asked what he would tell NFL teams hoping to draft Will Sheppard, and he had an elaborate answer, showing the regard with which Sheppard is held in the Buffs' dressing room.

"For Will (Sheppard), definitely 50-50 ball guy," Sanders said. "And I feel like I know how to get him going, I know how to turn that switch on for him. Through good, bad and everything, he overcame a lot this season at a big stage.

"You gotta understand that it's not a lot of people and not a lot of players in college football that go through as much pressure as playing for the Colorado Buffaloes."

"So, he (Will Sheppard) dealt with the pros, he dealt with the cons of everything so he's level-headed and he understands each and every game I gotta get out there and make a big impact," Shedeur said. "So, definitely gonna go up and get the ball, make big plays and all 50-50 balls are kind of automatic."

Will Sheppard has been a big part of the dynamic offense cultivated by Deion Sanders in Colorado this season, allowing Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter to thrive and providing a reliable outlet for Shedeur Sanders whenever Hunter was double-teamed.