Canadian DL Nathan Shepherd picked by New York Jets in 2018 NFL draft

Canadian defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd has been selected by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL draft.

Shepherd has gone from packing boxes in a factory to playing football in the NFL. He was selected in the third round, 72 overall by the Jets. At six-foot-four, 315 pounds, Shepherd has rare movement skills for his size.

Shepherd made 38 tackles, 12.5 for loss and four sacks, earning him Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Defensive Player of the Year and NCAA Division III All-American honours. He was a key piece on the Tigers team that went 11-0 and won its first MIAA Championship.

The Ajax, ON native impressed at the Senior Bowl, NFL combine – the lone Canadian at both events – and Shepherd drew 16 NFL teams to his Fort Hays State pro day. All of that boosted his draft stock.