When the Ravens announced their initial class of 14 undrafted rookie free agents, the list contained a familiar local name in Towson wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard.
Along with his college quarterback Grant Enders (tryout), Sheppard made a trip a few exits around I-695 to Owings Mills to audition for the coaching staff during a mandatory rookie minicamp that concluded on May 5. Following the final practice, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called the Towson products, “NFL-quality guys,” even though it’s possible that their professional careers may be over before they even started.
Sheppard has been waived by the Ravens according to a team representative.
The move likely is in response to the Ravens adding former University of Georgia WR Marlon Brown, who was signed this afternoon according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
It’s encouraging for Ravens fans to see the team pull local talent from schools like Towson University as their team has experienced a tremendous turnaround under the watchful eye of head coach Rob Ambrose. Sheppard was a long-shot to even make the team, perhaps even the practice squad as well. As a Tiger the 6’2″, 215 pound hopeful hauled in only 53 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns during his two year tenure at Towson.
