Kansas Jayhawks

JaCorey Shepherd learns from pro-day mistake, eager to prove himself

Published May. 6, 2015 3:01 a.m. ET

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Former Kansas cornerback JaCorey Shepherd was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, but not without plenty of anxiety and remorse.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound cornerback was originally projected to be a mid-round pick, but one poor decision knocked his draft stock.

A few days before Kansas' pro day, Shepherd suffered a hamstring injury. With his lifelong dream of playing for the NFL in the balances, Shepherd decided to run the 40-yard dash with his injured hamstring, heeding to the pressure of the scouts in attendance.

"It's a learning thing for me to understand that I'm my own businessman and I make my decisions. If I don't want to do something, don't do it," Shepherd told the Topeka Capital-Journal. "I knew I wasn't healthy."

Running with the injury cost him more than two-tenths of a second on his 40 time, which diminished his stock in the draft.

Ever the optimist, Shepherd understands that his mistake cost him, but he is more focused on the opportunity at hand to play in the NFL.

"The hamstring was the main reason I dropped so low," the 2014 All-Big 12 cornerback said. "It doesn't bother me. Regardless, it never did really matter where I went anyway. I just wanted the opportunity. I'm just glad I got the opportunity."

(h/t Topeka Capital-Journal)

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