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Mississippi State

100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 98 Days, No. 98 DL Ashun Shepphard

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•05/24/25•

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Mississippi State DL Ashun Sheppard (Photo by Jared Thomas, Maroon and White Daily)

Year two of the Jeff Lebby era has arrived and the Mississippi State coach is back to work.

After a disappointing first season, the coach and his staff are doing what they can to get things back on track in Starkville. The players on the field will be the difference for State this season if they are to make a return and we’re going to discuss every single one of them over the course of the next few months.

As we do every year, we’re counting down 100 days until State’s first game at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg on August 30. Over this period of time, we’ll breakdown every scholarship player on the roster, look back at great moments in MSU history and even talk about legends that have come before the current Bulldogs.

Today, we look at a senior reserve on the defensive line.

98 Days: No. 98, Senior DE Ashun Shepphard  

Sheppard was added to the roster last year and had to play a bigger role for the Bulldogs than previously though.

The former Brandon High School and East Mississippi Community College standout, Shepphard played on a line with very little depth. The Bulldogs had a thin defensive line group to begin with and it got thinner due to some transfers and injuries. By the end of the season, Shepphard was playing key reps for State and trying to give the Bulldog defense a boost.

In 12 games, the junior had 25 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sack.

Shepphard has been somewhat of a late bloomer in his career as he started hist journey at Brandon. Shepphard had had just 25 career tackles prior to a strong senior season. During the 2021 season, he racked up 122 tackles with 11.0 TFL on the way to leading his team to a Class 6A state championship game.

He still was flying under the radar after that big season and Buddy Stephens and the Lions would give him a shot. After making 12 tackles as a freshman, Shepphard would factor in as a key defender his sophomore year of 2023. Shepphard helped the Lions to the national championship game up front with his 39 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks, forced fumble and fumble recovery.

The potential brought in the offers for Shepphard as North Carolina State, Illinois, West Virginia, Southern Miss and others came calling. The Bulldogs were one of those offers as well and the opportunity to play for his home state team and he committed during the season.

Heading into his final year, Shepphard should have a chance to make a solid contribution as a pass rusher on the outside. He’s put on 10 pounds since his arrival to Starkville and is closing in on 300 with his 6’3 frame. He should add some good reps to a room that is hoping to be significantly better in 2025.  

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