Dakoda Shepley Bio
Dakoda Shepley, born on December 27, 1994, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian professional football offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 132 kilograms, he brings a substantial physical presence to the offensive line. Shepley has built a journeyman career across multiple professional rosters in both the NFL and the Canadian Football League (CFL), steadily developing his craft as a blocker since first entering professional football in 2018.
Early Life and Background
Dakoda Shepley grew up in Windsor, Ontario, where he attended Holy Names High School. His primary sport during his youth was ice hockey, and he did not begin playing organized football until a broken hand suffered during his sophomore hockey season redirected his athletic focus. The injury opened the door to football, and Shepley quickly took to the sport, paving the way for a future in the trenches.
Following high school, Shepley enrolled at the University of British Columbia, where he was redshirted in 2013. He then emerged as a four-year starter along the offensive line, lining up at both right tackle and right guard during his tenure with the program. As a sophomore, he contributed to a Vanier Cup championship, the premier award in Canadian university football, giving him an early taste of team success at a high level. In his senior year, he was recognized as a Canada West All-star at right tackle, cementing his reputation as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference.
Path to American Football
Shepley’s transition into American football came through the professional ranks after his university career, but his foundation was built on a hybrid athletic background rooted in hockey. His size, footwork, and competitive nature translated well to the offensive line, and his performances at the University of British Columbia drew the attention of professional scouts on both sides of the border.
That attention led to selections in both the NFL and CFL circuits. The Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL chose Shepley with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 CFL draft, even as the New York Jets signed him as an undrafted free agent shortly after the 2018 NFL draft on May 4. Although his initial NFL stint ended when the Jets released him on August 31, 2018, his path to professional football was firmly established, and his developmental years set the stage for a long career across multiple organizations.
Dakoda Shepley Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Shepley signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018, attending training camp and appearing in three preseason games before his release on August 31, 2018. Despite the early exit from the NFL, he had already been selected fifth overall in the 2018 CFL draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and in March 2019 he signed a two-year contract with the CFL club. On June 13, 2019, he made his CFL debut against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and went on to start 14 games as a rookie, earning the unanimous selection for Saskatchewan Roughriders Most Outstanding Rookie.
After the CFL canceled the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shepley opted out of his contract with the Roughriders on August 25, 2020. He then signed with the San Francisco 49ers on August 29, 2020, although he was waived on September 5 and quickly re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster on December 12 and December 19 for games against the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys, respectively, gaining his first regular-season NFL exposure before reverting to the practice squad.
San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks (2020–2022)
Shepley signed a reserve/future contract with the San Francisco 49ers on January 4, 2021, and remained with the organization through the offseason. On August 31, 2021, the 49ers waived him, ending his tenure in San Francisco.
On September 1, 2021, the Seattle Seahawks claimed Shepley off waivers. He played in eight regular-season games during the 2021 season, contributing on the extra point unit as part of the Seahawks’ special teams and line packages. On August 31, 2022, Seattle waived him as part of its final roster cut downs, sending him back onto the open market.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2022–Present)
On September 1, 2022, the Dallas Cowboys signed Shepley to their practice squad, beginning his first stint with the organization. He was promoted to the active roster on January 7, 2023, before being waived two days later. After a brief detour through the Indianapolis Colts, who claimed him off waivers on January 10, 2023, waived him on August 29, 2023, re-signed him to the practice squad on September 21, and released him on October 17, Shepley returned to Dallas.
On October 31, 2023, the Cowboys signed him back to their practice squad, and on January 16, 2024, he signed a reserve/future contract. The Cowboys released him on August 27, 2024, but quickly re-signed him to the practice squad. He has continued to compete for a role along the offensive line with the franchise, working to solidify his place in one of the league’s most high-profile offensive line rooms.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Shepley’s career came in 2019, when he was named the unanimous Saskatchewan Roughriders Most Outstanding Rookie after starting 14 games. His earlier university milestone, contributing to a Vanier Cup championship as a sophomore at the University of British Columbia, also stands out as a signature team achievement. Crossing the border between the CFL and NFL on multiple occasions has marked his journey as a testament to perseverance.
Dakoda Shepley Career Wins
Dakoda Shepley’s professional career has been defined more by longevity, versatility, and development than by a large collection of individual awards. His most recognized honor remains the 2019 Saskatchewan Roughriders Most Outstanding Rookie award, while his contributions to a Vanier Cup championship at the University of British Columbia highlight his team success at the collegiate level.
Professional Highlights
Shepley’s professional highlights include his fifth overall selection in the 2018 CFL draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and his transition into the NFL with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. Across the NFL, he has suited up for the Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, and Dallas Cowboys, building a reputation as a dependable depth piece along the offensive line.
Dakoda Shepley Family
Personal Life
Outside of football, Dakoda Shepley has ventured into the world of film. He portrayed the character Omega Red in the feature film Deadpool 2, and he also served as a stunt and body double in the movie Game Over, Man! These appearances reflect his willingness to take on physically demanding roles beyond the gridiron.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Dakoda Shepley remains with the Dallas Cowboys, where he has been part of the organization’s practice squad and reserve line rotations. His prior work along the offensive line and on special teams units, including the extra point blocking duties he handled with the Seattle Seahawks, gives him a versatile profile that the Cowboys have continued to value.
Shepley’s primary objective for 2025 is to push for a more permanent role on the active roster, leaning on his experience across multiple systems and his size at 6 feet 5 inches and 132 kilograms. With a reserve/future contract already in place from January 2024 and a return to the practice squad in 2024, he enters the new season focused on consistency and availability.
As a Canadian-born offensive tackle navigating one of the NFL’s most scrutinized offensive line groups, Shepley continues to pursue the kind of long-term stability that has eluded him through multiple transactions. His path through the CFL, multiple NFL practice squads, and brief active-roster stints reflects a career built on persistence, and the 2025 season represents another opportunity to translate that journey into a more established role.