Darrius Shepherd Returns to Battlehawks on First Day of UFL Free Agency

It didn’t take long for the Battlehawks to make a “splash” in free agency by bringing back a familiar face. Darrius Shepherd announced via his social media accounts that he was returning to the UFL’s premiere franchise the St. Louis Battlehawks for his 3rd season in Spring Football.

Return of the King!@d_shepherd11 | @XFLBattlehawks | @SSN_NDSU | @NDSUfootball pic.twitter.com/tbSyZtYQdj

— Pat R (@ByPatRifino) January 16, 2024

Shepherd joined the Battlehawks last year during the 2022 XFL Draft. The North Dakota State University Alum had spent 2019 through 2021 with Five NFL teams most notably appearing with the Green Bay Packers in 14 games in 2019 and 2020. Shepherd recorded 6 Receptions for 47 Receiving Yards, along with 374 Kick Return Yards. Shepherd would then have stints with the Chiefs, Cardinals, Vikings, and Steelers before joining the USFL with the New Jersey Generals in 2022.

Per @XFL_PR, @XFLBattlehawks WR and XFL Special Teams Player of the Year Darrius Shepherd will be attending a try-out with the Detroit Lions.

Shepherd totaled over 1400 All-Purpose Yards in 2023, and finished Top-10 in receptions and receiving yards.

— Pat R (@ByPatRifino) May 4, 2023

In 2022 Shepherd totaled 323 Receiving Yards and 1 Touchdown for the Generals in a star-studded Offense led by Luis Perez, KaVontae Turpin, and Darius Victor. Upon the completion of the USFL season, Shepherd earned a contract with the Denver Broncos (his 6th NFL team), joining their Practice Squad for 6 weeks before being released and finding a home with the Battlehawks.

Darrius Shepherd Appreciation Tweet

The former @NDSUfootball Star and Missouri Native totaled 907 Kick Return Yards and 519 Receiving Yards for the @XFLBattlehawks in 2023. (1426 All-purpose)

Shepherd was not only the @XFL2023's top KR, but also a Top-8 WR in the XFL as well

— Pat R (@ByPatRifino) April 23, 2023

In 2023 Shepherd solidified himself as one of the XFL’s premiere Kick Returners and Wide Receivers. The season veteran earned All-XFL honors as a kick returner along with Special Teams Player of the Year. Shepherd recorded 48 Receptions for 519 Yards, for 6 Touchdowns along with 907 Kick Return Yards. Upon completion of the XFL season Shepherd signed with the Chargers however was waived with an injury designation at the completion of training camp.

The @chargers have announced the signing of WR/KR and friend of @the_markcast Darrius Shepherd.

@DShep03 joins his 7th @NFL team since coming out of @NDSUfootball in 2019.

He's also a veteran of the @USFLGenerals after spending 2023 with the @XFLBattlehawks pic.twitter.com/GEad9awCz6

— Pat R (@ByPatRifino) June 1, 2023

Shepherd was one of 16 players to earn an opportunity with an NFL contract in 2023. Currently St. Louis’ roster sits at 63 players with the opportunity to expand to 75 prior to training camp. With teams now in free agency St. Louis is in play to continue to build their roster in hopes of making a playoff push in 2024.