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2024 Mississippi State commit Kison Shepard experiencing perfect start to senior season

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones10/06/23PaulJonesOn3

During the offseason, 2024 Mississippi State commitment Kison Shepard and his Germantown (Tenn.) High School teammates expected to have a successful fall on the gridiron. So far, the 247Sports three-star offensive lineman and company have lived up to those expectations and are looking for more success in October.

After a hard-fought win over rival Collierville (Tenn.) High School last Friday, Germantown is 6-0 overall with a couple of district wins, as well. The 6-foot-5 and 315-pound Shepard has done his part in the trenches and feels like his conditioning has played a factor in that aspect.

“We’re off to a great start and it is really going well,” Shepard remarked. “I am still at left tackle and I have been playing a lot better this year. I would say it’s the best I have ever played. I am in better shape and I am more dominant this year. I am finishing blocks and I am doing everything better.”

Shepard is rated as the nation’s No. 102 offensive tackle and the state’s No. 44 prospect by 247Sports. He committed to the Bulldogs in June and has maintained strong relationships with the staff.

“It’s going great with State,” Shepard mentioned. “I am going to one of their next home games and Coach (Will) Friend and Coach (Mike) Schmidt are always motivating me before our games. Both of them let me know what they are seeing on my film and letting me know what to work on. They tell me to just go dominate and play like they know I can play.

“It’s also been good with Coach (Zach) Arnett. They will get things going soon and it is tough with new coaches. But I feel like they are going to keep getting better.”

Up front, Shepard has also watched Mississippi State’s offensive line in the first half of the schedule. He also has faith that those guys will eventually get on the same page.

“I think they are getting better,” added Shepard. “They just have to come together up front as one. They are learning a new system, too, and I know what that is like. Once you change systems and blocking schemes, it takes time and reps to get it all down. But I feel like they will come together.”

Shepard held several other Power 5 offers when he committed to the Bulldogs. Since making his decision, a few of those schools remain in contact.

“For the most part, it has been kind of quiet with other schools,” noted Shepard. “So that’s been good because I don’t like dealing with recruiting during the season. But Auburn, Central Florida and Memphis are still talking to me but that’s about it besides Mississippi State.”

And as Shepard stated when he committed, his relationships with State’s coaching staff play a big role in being confident about his Bulldog future.

“I really like my Mississippi State decision,” Shepard mentioned. “They were the first school ever to show interest in me and my first ever offer. It’s just those relationships I have with the coaches there. It’s the right fit and I feel at home with those guys.”

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