By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Fullback Kalif Sheppard finally exhaled. The release of FAMU's first depth chart earlier this week brought the well-traveled redshirt sophomore plenty of relief when his name appeared among the starters.
"It's been a long journey, but I think I've found a place where I feel comfortable in the offense," Sheppard said. "I feel pretty comfortable. I'm not on edge so much because I've found a place where I fit in."
During fall workouts, Sheppard established himself as a tough guy. But he'll be quick to tell you he didn't get this far on brute strength and his ability on the field alone. His big brother, Sam Miller, has provided inspiration every step of the way.
Miller offered advice when schools that recruited Sheppard reneged or weren't offering him enough, he said. More than anything else, Sheppard's big brother helped him keep the faith when his only choice to play out of Plant City High School was Division II Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
Sheppard, who has always been eligible as a bright-future recruit, had to sit out last season after transferring to FAMU. It was his second stop after leaving Saint Joseph's at the end of the 2005 season.
Sheppard tried catching on at the University of South Florida, where his brother is a senior linebacker. That lasted through the end of spring practice last year.
All the time he was on the phone with Miller, his inspiration for getting into the game in the first place.
"He helps me stay motivated every day," said Sheppard, who still talks with his brother at least three times each week. "Like in camp when I feel like it's getting too hard, he called me and said, 'Hey, I'm going through the same thing. Just hang in there.' "
Sheppard will make his debut as a Rattler Saturday against Southern University. He persuaded Cater with his tenacious play that he deserved a shot. It didn't take long to see Sheppard's ability, said Carter, who calls the fullback a diamond in the rough.
"We're happy that that young man is here," Carter said. "We're looking to utilize his ability and his skills as a blocker and his capability with catching the football."
Blocking is one of Sheppard's strong suits. He learned that at Plant City High and developed it even more while playing tight end at Saint Joseph's. He left the Hawks after averaging three catches per game. He also was tied with three other players for the most touchdown catches in one game, with three against Austin Peay.
Having Sheppard's versatility adds a dimension that can only be executed by a player of his ability, said quarterback Albert Chester II.
"Just having another big, physical athletic body is always a plus," Chester said. "You can't coach size and he's been a tight end so that means he's a big guy with hands. He can run some routes and get open and do some things for us and he's an excellent blocker.
"He quietly did his thing, learned the system, picked up on what he can do and gave 100 percent. That's all that you can ask for."
He's eager to get back on the field, giving more each time, Shepard said. Every week will be a challenge, he said, but his big brother will talk him through.
He knows how much time he gets to contribute to the team will be up to his production. Sheppard seemingly is up to the task.
"I feel like you can play football anywhere," he said. "No matter where you go to school, at the top D-1 or D-3. If you're an athlete you're going to be an athlete anywhere. If you're an athlete you just have to go out and prove yourself."
"It's been a long journey, but I think I've found a place where I feel comfortable in the offense," Sheppard said. "I feel pretty comfortable. I'm not on edge so much because I've found a place where I fit in."
During fall workouts, Sheppard established himself as a tough guy. But he'll be quick to tell you he didn't get this far on brute strength and his ability on the field alone. His big brother, Sam Miller, has provided inspiration every step of the way.
Miller offered advice when schools that recruited Sheppard reneged or weren't offering him enough, he said. More than anything else, Sheppard's big brother helped him keep the faith when his only choice to play out of Plant City High School was Division II Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
Sheppard, who has always been eligible as a bright-future recruit, had to sit out last season after transferring to FAMU. It was his second stop after leaving Saint Joseph's at the end of the 2005 season.
Sheppard tried catching on at the University of South Florida, where his brother is a senior linebacker. That lasted through the end of spring practice last year.
All the time he was on the phone with Miller, his inspiration for getting into the game in the first place.
"He helps me stay motivated every day," said Sheppard, who still talks with his brother at least three times each week. "Like in camp when I feel like it's getting too hard, he called me and said, 'Hey, I'm going through the same thing. Just hang in there.' "
Sheppard will make his debut as a Rattler Saturday against Southern University. He persuaded Cater with his tenacious play that he deserved a shot. It didn't take long to see Sheppard's ability, said Carter, who calls the fullback a diamond in the rough.
"We're happy that that young man is here," Carter said. "We're looking to utilize his ability and his skills as a blocker and his capability with catching the football."
Blocking is one of Sheppard's strong suits. He learned that at Plant City High and developed it even more while playing tight end at Saint Joseph's. He left the Hawks after averaging three catches per game. He also was tied with three other players for the most touchdown catches in one game, with three against Austin Peay.
Having Sheppard's versatility adds a dimension that can only be executed by a player of his ability, said quarterback Albert Chester II.
"Just having another big, physical athletic body is always a plus," Chester said. "You can't coach size and he's been a tight end so that means he's a big guy with hands. He can run some routes and get open and do some things for us and he's an excellent blocker.
"He quietly did his thing, learned the system, picked up on what he can do and gave 100 percent. That's all that you can ask for."
He's eager to get back on the field, giving more each time, Shepard said. Every week will be a challenge, he said, but his big brother will talk him through.
He knows how much time he gets to contribute to the team will be up to his production. Sheppard seemingly is up to the task.
"I feel like you can play football anywhere," he said. "No matter where you go to school, at the top D-1 or D-3. If you're an athlete you're going to be an athlete anywhere. If you're an athlete you just have to go out and prove yourself."
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