Nathan Shepherd Bio
Nathan Daniel Shepherd is a Canadian professional football defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 193 centimeters tall and weighing 143 kilograms, Shepherd is recognized for his combination of size, power, and movement skills along the interior defensive line. He played college football for the Simon Fraser Clan and Fort Hays State Tigers before beginning his NFL career in 2018. Over the course of his professional journey, he has built a reputation as a hard-working and resilient interior defender.
After beginning his career with the New York Jets, Shepherd joined the New Orleans Saints in 2023 and quickly became a contributor on the defensive front. His unusual path from a Canadian youth football club to one of the top football leagues in the world has made him a notable figure among late-blooming defensive linemen.
Early Life and Background
Nathan Daniel Shepherd was born on October 9, 1993, in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Ajax, where he developed an early love for football through community programs. Shepherd attended J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate, where he continued to develop as an athlete and prepared for the next step in his football career.
Shepherd played youth football with the Ajax/Pickering Dolphins Football Club, an experience that introduced him to the fundamentals of the game and helped him build the foundation that would later carry him to the college and professional levels. Growing up in a tight-knit Canadian community shaped his work ethic and gave him a grounded approach to a sport that often rewards perseverance and discipline.
Path to American Football
Shepherd began his college career at Simon Fraser University, where he redshirted his first year before starting every game in his second season as a defensive end. After two years at Simon Fraser, he was no longer able to pay tuition and left the university. During this period away from football, Shepherd worked a variety of jobs, including at a plant nursery, in electrical construction, and at a cardboard box factory, demonstrating his determination to stay productive while pursuing his dream.
Fort Hays State University later reached out to Shepherd, offering him a chance to continue his career. He paid his first semester of tuition before being placed on athletic scholarship, and he quickly emerged as a standout defensive lineman. Following his 2017 season, Shepherd was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Defensive Player of the Year, a major individual honor that elevated his profile heading into the pre-draft process. His invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl marked the first time a Fort Hays State player had received such an opportunity.
Nathan Shepherd Career
Early Career (2018)
The New York Jets selected Shepherd in the third round, 72nd overall, in the 2018 NFL draft. He was the sixth defensive tackle drafted that year and became only the third player to be drafted in the history of Fort Hays State University. On May 14, 2018, the Jets signed him to a four-year, $3.87 million contract that included a signing bonus of $987,724.
Shepherd entered the league with high expectations after a strong pre-draft process. On November 20, 2017, he had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl, and during practices he displayed the speed, power, and technique that caught the attention of scouts. He suffered a broken hand during Senior Bowl practice that kept him out of the game, but his performance in drills still helped raise his draft stock.
New York Jets Breakthrough (2018-2022)
Shepherd began his NFL career with the Jets as a developmental defensive tackle who needed time to refine his technique. During his early seasons, he showed flashes of the power and athleticism that had impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl. On September 10, 2019, he was suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. It was later revealed that he had been recovering from a sports hernia surgery and was dealing with a shoulder issue and a herniated disc in his back, and he confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs in an effort to speed up his recovery. He was reinstated on October 29, 2019, and activated on November 1, 2019.
On March 16, 2022, Shepherd signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets, signaling the team’s continued belief in his development. Across his time in New York, he worked to expand his role within the defensive rotation and establish himself as a reliable interior presence. His tenure with the Jets laid the foundation for the bigger opportunity that would come in free agency.
New Orleans Saints Era (2023-Present)
On March 17, 2023, Shepherd signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. He ended the 2023 season with a career-best 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks, demonstrating his impact as a pass rusher and run defender. His production in his first year with the Saints helped him establish a meaningful role along the interior defensive line.
In 2024, Shepherd gained national attention during the Saints’ Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. While attempting to sack Justin Herbert, Shepherd fell to the ground and continued to bring the quarterback down through an awkward twisting motion. Upon appeal, the NFL rescinded the fine he had received for the incident. In Week 10 of the 2025 season, Shepherd blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter of a 17-7 win over the Carolina Panthers, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shepherd is known for his combination of size, power, and movement skills, traits that allow him to play both inside and outside along the defensive line. His uncommon journey through smaller college programs shaped a blue-collar approach, and he is valued for his ability to disrupt both the run game and the passing attack from the interior.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Shepherd’s signature achievements are his 2018 Senior Bowl invitation, his third-round selection by the Jets, and his career-best 2023 season with the Saints. His NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in 2025 stands as another major milestone in his professional journey.
Nathan Shepherd Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Nathan Daniel Shepherd has been recognized as a productive interior defender, particularly during his time with the New Orleans Saints. His career-best 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023 marked a clear breakthrough, and his continued production has helped anchor the Saints’ defensive front.
New Orleans Saints Highlights
Since joining the New Orleans Saints in 2023, Shepherd has delivered some of the most consistent performances of his career. His career-best 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his first season with the team established him as a key contributor, and his field goal block against the Carolina Panthers in 2025 earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his career, Shepherd earned the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Defensive Player of the Year award after his 2017 season at Fort Hays State, a defining individual honor before entering the NFL. He was also the first Fort Hays State player invited to the Senior Bowl and only the third player drafted in program history.
Nathan Shepherd Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Shepherd was raised in Ajax, Ontario, where his family supported his early involvement in football. While detailed information about his parents is not publicly documented, his upbringing in Ajax played a central role in shaping his character and work ethic.
Personal Life
Shepherd’s personal life is kept relatively private. He is known for his blue-collar background, having worked in a plant nursery, electrical construction, and a cardboard box factory before resuming his football career, a stretch that reflects his resilience and dedication to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 NFL season, Shepherd has continued to play an important role along the New Orleans Saints’ defensive line. During Week 10, he blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter of a 17-7 win over the Carolina Panthers, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and highlighting his value in key game situations.
Shepherd’s impact on the Saints’ defense has been steady throughout 2025, with his combination of size and power making him a factor against both the run and the pass. His experience and leadership in the locker room have also contributed to a defensive unit looking to build momentum heading into the later stages of the season.
Looking ahead, Shepherd’s remaining contract years with the Saints position him as a long-term piece of the defensive front. His continued production and big-play ability suggest that he will remain a key contributor for New Orleans as the team pushes toward the postseason.