FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard was surprised when the All-Southeastern Conference team was announced earlier this month.
The senior, who was a second-team pick, figured he wouldn’t be included after collecting 26 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. Especially since those numbers paled in comparison to 2008, when Sheppard earned second-team honors after piling up 68 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks.
“My numbers weren’t where they were last year,” Sheppard said. “So I was surprised. But it’s a blessing.”
There may have one thing Sheppard didn’t account for when he considered his chances of earning all-league honors: His impact on Arkansas’ defensive improvement in 2009 came in ways not necessarily noticed by statistics.
Whenever opponents put together a game plan for Arkansas, figuring out a way to stop the anchor of its defense was always a top priority. That often meant double teams for Sheppard, who will play the final game of his collegiate career when Arkansas (7-5) meets East Carolina (9-4) in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
The Bainbridge, Ga., native, will make his 37th straight start Saturday. But while his season tackle total has been the second-lowest of his career, Sheppard’s impact didn’t go unnoticed.
“Last year he either led the league in (tackles for losses) or he was close,” Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette said. “This year teams weren’t going to let him do that again. So they started doubling him more.
“It was really interesting on film to see how teams designed stuff to kind of negate his effect.”
Sheppard has collected 11 tackles for losses this season, which ranks 10th in the SEC. He enters the Liberty Bowl with 37 tackles for losses in his career, which is tied for third in school history with former Arkansas greats Wayne Martin and Jimmy Walker.
It’s an impressive accomplishment. One that has spoken to Sheppard’s work ethic throughout his career.
“He’s something like I’ve never really seen before,” linebacker Wendel Davis said. “Ever since we were freshmen he’s always been the hardest worker. He has meant a lot to the team and shows everybody how to work hard and go out there and play full speed.”
Sheppard considered entering the NFL draft as a junior, but came back to the Razorbacks in 2009. In doing so, he also accepted his role in Willy Robinson’s defense.
Arkansas’ coaches said Sheppard was able to collect tackles and sacks in 2008 because he was freelancing too much. But he did what they asked this season, holding his gap, plugging holes, and freeing others to make stops even if it meant he wasn’t making bunches of tackles.
“Malcolm has been very productive for us as far as fundamentally doing what we’ve asked,” Arkansas defensive tackles coach Bobby Allen said. “I know everybody has been concerned about his numbers not being as high as last year, but that’s because he’s been more disciplined.
“People break us down and looked at our personnel, they have obviously gone into the game aware of where he’s lined up. Especially in pass protection.”
Sheppard also proved valuable in his willingness to play two positions, sliding from defensive tackle to nose guard. His flexibility gave Arkansas a chance to get freshman defensive tackle D.D. Jones more involved.
Sheppard said it all has helped him improve.
“I got better as a player and as a person,” Sheppard said. “Sacrificing for my team and being a better team player. It’s not about me, it’s about the team.”
Sheppard is hoping his work with the Razorbacks will help him earn a place in the NFL next season.
The 6-foot-2, 291-pound Sheppard may be undersized for an NFL defensive tackle, but his versatility could prove worthy of a successful career. In fact, Robinson compared Sheppard to Le’Roi Glover, who had 83.5 sacks in 13 seasons in the NFL despite being an undersized guy.
Sheppard said he’s hoping to be that fortunate, but knows it will take plenty of hard work. That’s never been a problem for Sheppard, though. If football doesn’t work out, Sheppard is a semester away from completing his degree in criminal justice and would like to pursue a career in law enforcement whenever football ends.
Either way, Sheppard said is proud of what he accomplished as a Razorback and is looking forward to one more chance to anchor Arkansas’ defense on Saturday.
“I put my all in it and I won’t have any regrets,” Sheppard said. “I’m going to miss it like crazy, but life goes on. Arkansas will always have a place in my heart.”