Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Malcolm Sheppard didn't get drafted and was one of 16 undrafted free agents signed by the Houston Texans. That's not the most sure path to making an NFL roster.

Sheppard is making a strong case for himself, though.

Texans Coach Gary Kubiak and General Manager Rick Smith had high praise for the 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive tackle. Here's comment from Kubiak, courtesy HoustonTexans.com:

"Probably the young kid who has surprised me the most through OTAs and everything has been this Sheppard kid that we got from Arkansas," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Wednesday, after the final practice of mini-camp. "I'm not trying to put pressure on him or anything, but he's been a very pleasant surprise. I think he's going to make a good push for this football team. He's played extremely hard, very physical, better athlete than we thought coming out. We thought he was going to get drafted but he didn't, and we were lucky to get him."

That Sheppard is making an impact isn't much of a surprise here. Consider this example from a column I wrote on Sheppard prior to the Liberty Bowl:

Teammates and coaches talk about Sheppard's commitment to the program since his arrival from Bainbridge, Ga. They've seen it a lot, but one example best illustrates that.

Consider that Sheppard elected not to go home for Christmas break at the conclusion of the 2008 season. He stayed in Fayetteville to lift weights and watch film in hopes of improving, while fulfilling a request that he add nearly 20 pounds of muscle before spring football began.

Think that doesn't rub off on people, make them want to work a little harder?

Sheppard is as hard-working a Razorback as I've encountered. Don't be shocked if he winds up in the NFL with the Texans or otherwise.