NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Mitchell Shepherd, LB, University of Redlands

What is your name?

Mitchell Shepherd

What is your Height/Weight?

6’2 230 Pounds

What is your position?

Linebacker (Weakside)

Where do you play college football?

I played at University of Redlands

Where are you from?

Seattle, Washington

Who is your role model, and why?

My dad. He’s been a consistent model of hard work and how to be a caring family member and friend throughout my life.

Who was your favorite teacher?

Ms. Isaacson. She was my kindergarten and 2nd-grade teacher. She was unlucky to have me as a student twice, but I was grateful to have her twice. As a young, energetic and difficult student, she would always reason with me and show me love and support.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes. I played soccer, basketball, and baseball before I ever started playing football in high school.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

In high school, I played against Zack Lavine for 3 years. He was the most talented athlete (in any sport) that I’ve ever had to guard

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

The most underrated player I played with in college was Aaron Mandell. The guy is undersized for a cornerback, though he more than makes up for it with his feel for the game and nose for the ball. It should be mentioned that he hasn’t been overlooked by everyone as he was Jewish All-American in 2015

What is the one song that would fire you up before the biggest game of your life?

Ruff Ryders Anthem by DMX is a classic. I’ve been listening to that song before games since high school

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

One guy, I look up to and try to mimic in many ways is Brock Coyle. I admire him because he’s a smaller school guy (Montana) and was able to prove himself in his pro day and beyond after initially being overlooked. I now watch his film from college, his workouts, and in the league as well. My dad’s side of the family is all from Montana so I’m always biased for a guy who went to school there

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest obstacle for me was being suspended from school/football my freshman year of college. I made a mistake to land myself in trouble, and I knew it was no one’s fault but mine. It took time for me to truly accept this reality, move on, and become a better person.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

At the University of Redlands, our locker rooms were very crowded, so I would tend to get dressed and go somewhere quiet like the weight room or hallway before we went on the field.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

The single most memorable play was the first defensive snap of my last home game in college. The opposing quarterback tried to thrown a seam pass over my head which I got underneath, leaped, and made a one-handed catch.

What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?

I was part of a program ran by my good friend, Pat Neville, called Breakfast with Bulldogs. Every other Tuesday we would go to Victoria Elementary in San Bernardino and play with these elementary school kids, and read books with them at the start of their school day. It is a rewarding experience to be able to impact the life of a young kid in a positive way.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Seahawks. I’m a big fan to this day. I even have a Seahawk tattooed on my arm.