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Alabama Football: 30 Tide Greats who exceeded their 3-Star high school rankings

By Ronald Evans

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans in the crowd against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans in the crowd against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 22. Austin Shepherd

  • Buford, GA
  • Offensive Line (2010-2014)
  • 2010 Recruit Ranking: No. 601 in the nation

It did not take Austin Shepherd long to choose Alabama for his college career. Alabama football was only the third school to offer Shepherd a scholarship. Austin made a quick decision to roll with the Tide.

Shepherd toiled quietly for three years in Tuscaloosa. He was a redshirt in 2010, and restricted to backup duty in 2011 and 2012, appearing in a total of 20 games.

In 2013 Shepherd took over for the departed D. J. Fluker at right tackle. Literally and statistically, Shepherd had big shoes to fill. Tide fans quickly learned Austin was another mauler for the Tide’s run game. To the surprise of fans, Shepherd also proved he was solid in pass blocking.

Shepherd was a leader on the offensive line in 2013 and 2014. No doubt, having to block A’Shawn Robinson, D. J. Pettway and Jonathan Allen in practice accelerated Austin’s development.
In 2012, while Austin was a rarely noticed reserve, he and his girlfriend, and now wife, Jenna set up the Austin Shepherd Foundation. The foundation was created to raise funds to benefit the patients of Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

Shepherd was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

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