This included a 73-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State University, with his team down 3–20 in a game they came back to win 21–20.
[1] The school's Derrick Shepard Most Inspirational Walk-On Player of the Year award is named in his honor.
Shepard was re-signed to be a part of the Redskins replacement team, that was given the mock name "Deadskins" by the media.
He was limited to 5 games due to a hip injury and a concussion that forced him to spend time on the injured reserve list.
[5] He was named the starter at wide receiver in the seventh game against the Kansas City Chiefs, after Michael Irvin was lost for the season to a knee injury.
He started 8 of the final 10 contests, missing the twelfth game with a knee injury he suffered against the Los Angeles Rams.
[10] His son Sterling, along with his older brothers Darrell and Woodie, also played college football at the University of Oklahoma.