FARGO — The potent Easton Stick-Darrius Shepherd connection was reunited recently in north Fargo.
The former North Dakota State football teammates teamed up again, this time for Stick’s third annual QB Clinic on Wednesday, June 25, at the Nodak Insurance Football Performance Complex.
“It’s a really nice deal getting to come back here for Easton’s camp,” said Shepherd, who now lives in the Kansas City area.
Stick and Shepherd both played for the Bison from 2015 to 2018 with Shepherd being one of Stick’s top targets at receiver. In the 2018 season, Shepherd caught 62 passes for 1,065 yards and nine touchdowns.
Darrius Shepherd gives instruction during the Easton Stick football camp on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Nodak Insurance Football Performance Complex.
David Samson / The Forum
The duo closed their Bison career with big performances in the Division I FCS title game that capped the 2018 season. Shepherd caught five passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns in a
38-24 victory against Eastern Washington
to win the national title. Stick completed 13 of 19 passes for 198 yards and two TDs, rushing for 121 yards and three touchdowns on 18 attempts.
Shepherd was named the game’s most valuable player.
Shepherd came to Fargo to help Stick with his camp, which added receivers to the mix this season along with quarterbacks. Wednesday’s camp had five college receivers and 16 high school pass catchers to go along with 37 QBs from both high school and college ranks.
“If he wanted to coach, he would coach at a really high level really fast,” Stick said of his former college teammate. “You could tell a long time ago it was something he was good at. … He’s just got an eye for it.”
Former North Dakota State wide receiver Darrius Shepherd, left, and former quarterback Easton Stick (12) watch the clock wind down during the NCAA Division I FCS championship game Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Shepherd and Stick reunited this week at Stick’s youth football camp in Fargo.
David Samson / The Forum
Shepherd said he’s retired from pro football after spending time in both the NFL and XFL. From Blue Springs, Mo., he had strong seasons with the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks in 2023 and 2024. His NFL career started with the Green Bay Packers in 2019, followed by multiple stops in other NFL organizations.
“I’m officially retired,” Shepherd said. “It’s time to call it quits. I had a really good run, really fortunate to be able to play a few years in the (NFL) league and bounce around.”
Shepherd played in 14 NFL games over two seasons with the Packers in 2019 and 2020. He caught six passes for 47 yards. In 2023, Shepherd united with Stick with the Los Angeles Chargers after Shepherd was added to the team’s practice squad. Stick was with the Chargers from 2019-24 before signing with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason.
“That was one of the coolest experiences we’ve had,” Shepherd said of connecting again with the Chargers.
Shepherd said it was a “no-brainer” to help out Stick with his QB Clinic.
“It’s been really special and a lot of memories coming up, being back here,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd was impressed with NDSU’s indoor practice facility, which was completed after his Bison career had finished.
“It’s a game-changer,” Shepherd said. “I wish we had it when I was playing. … I think it just shows you what the guys in the past built to get to this point.”
Shepherd played on three FCS national title teams during his Bison career along with Stick. NDSU has won 10 FCS nationals championships since the 2011 season. The 29-year-old is satisfied with his football career, including his time at the pro level.
“I make the joke that I don’t think you feel good unless you have that gold jacket,” Shepherd said. “That’s the ultimate stamp on your football career, but I’m very happy with how it went, so fortunate to get to play after college ball.”
Shepherd and wife Tylin have a 1-year-old daughter. He also helps instruct local youth and high school football players in the Kansas City area to stay connected with the game.
“I’m happy and looking forward to seeing what I do in the next chapter,” Shepherd said.
Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.