Mike Evans is going to be disappointed about the news surrounding one of the Bucs’ intriguing UDFA rookies
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 rookie minicamp is getting underway on Friday, and 34 participants have been revealed by the Bucs as taking place in the event. Unfortunately, one interesting name won't be there taking place. Per Fox Sports NFC South reporter Greg Auman, Colorado WR Will Sheppard will not be taking part in the […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 rookie minicamp is getting underway on Friday, and 34 participants have been revealed by the Bucs as taking place in the event.
Unfortunately, one interesting name won't be there taking place. Per Fox Sports NFC South reporter Greg Auman, Colorado WR Will Sheppard will not be taking part in the event due to a failed physical.
Sheppard was not among the 15 undrafted free agents the team announced as signing on Friday, presumably due to that failed physical. Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz previously noted Sheppard had reached a deal with the Bucs after the draft. Schultz also noted that Evans was Sheppard's "mentor", with Sheppard quote tweeting Schultz's tweet.
Sheppard spent the first four seasons of his career playing for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Over four seasons with Vandy, he totaled 152 catches for 2067 yards and 21 touchdowns. He transferred to Colorado in the 2024 offseason and carved out a role for himself in the Buffaloes offense last year, totaling 48 catches for 621 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Sheppard made quite the impression in a couple of events at Colorado's Pro Day last month. He showed off his springiness with a 40.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot 11-inch broad jump to go with a 4.54 40-yard dash time.
It's a tough break for Sheppard with the health issue that apparently cost him his shot to participate in rookie minicamp in Tampa this weekend. The Bucs have looked to the future for their wide receiver corps this offseason with the selection of Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round with the 19th overall pick in last month's draft. Now, they're surely looking to find someone who can help provide quality depth at the back end of the wide receiver room with a shot at more in the years to come.
However, that search apparently won't include the man with a connection with the Buccaneer great in Tampa – at least not at this time.
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