Exciting new interest for Shepherd
X'avier Shepherd has seen his recruitment take off in recent weeks with four Pac-12 offers and now a new group of high-profile schools are getting involved.
The 6-foot, 175-pound wide receiver from Lakewood, Calif., said this past weekend at the IMG Madden 7-on-7 West Regional that Nebraska, Notre Dame, Washington and Clemson have shown interest recently and he's open to all those programs.
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"Whatever I think is the best fit for me, wherever that is, I'm going to choose that school," Shepherd said.
"It's just a blessing and a privilege. Some kids will never get to feel this. Some people think it's easy to get this but you have to work. I'm glad I'm getting acknowledged. I'm going to keep working and hopefully I can get some more offers."
Shepherd, who shined at the IMG tournament and in recent weeks at the New Level Athletics Elite 7on7 in Las Vegas, already has offers from Colorado, Oregon State, UCLA and Utah.
All those programs remain in the running and Shepherd said he wants to keep all his options open heading into his senior season.
"I'm just taking my time and seeing how many more offers I can get before the season," Shepherd said.
"I'm still talking to all four of my offers and I'm calling all those coaches weekly. I'm still debating and seeing whether those schools have what I want to major in and trying to get the whole coaching staff more.
"Hopefully after this tournament I can get more offers and more recognition. I'm sure if I keep working I can pick up a few more and that would be really nice."
Shepherd could break out and have a big senior season after sitting behind four-star Darius Powe (Cal) and three-star Malik Gilmore (Oregon State) the last few seasons at Lakewood.