Dynamic duo debate: Why Sterling Shepard is better
Heritage Hall's Sterling Shepard has committed to OU.
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
Barry Sanders or Sterling Shepard?
The answer is easy, yet difficult.
Choose one and either way you get a fantastic player. But the choice is agonizing.
Both are terrific players with terrific bloodlines.
But sometimes tough decisions have to be made.
So I’m going with Sterling Shepard. Sanders might wind up being the better college player (and possibly beyond) of the two. But if I’m starting a high school team and I have the No. 1 pick, I’m going with Shepard.
Coming to the answer was not easy. The reason Shepard wins out in the end, though, is. Versatility.
Need a big-time, game-breaking run? Shepard can deliver. Need a dazzling catch to win a game? He can do that too. Need an arm to throw that pass? Shepard’s got that covered. Need a playmaker to go up and keep the other team’s top receiver from pulling down that pass? By now you’ve figured it out. Shepard can just about do it all.
Just take a look at his stats from last year, when he stayed healthy after suffering through concussion issues as a sophomore. He ran for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns, had 1,015 yards receiving and 18 scores, he threw for three touchdowns and racked up 103 tackles and eight interceptions on the defensive side.
You can’t go wrong with making Sanders the choice. Some get Barry Sanders burnout because we’ve heard about him for so long but go watch him play and you know he’s legit. If he had any other last name, he might not be quite as highly publicized but he’d be every bit as deserving.
But in the high school game, where creativity and versatility can get you a long way, I’ll take Sterling Shepard.
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