Cornerback Gavin Shepard announced he’s returning to SIU for 2026 season

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Sophomore Gavin Shepard, one of the up-and-coming cornerbacks at the FCS level, announced on Tuesday that he’ll forgo the transfer portal to stay at Southern Illinois for the 2026 season.

“The culture and the brotherhood is the biggest reason why I stayed,” Shepard said. “Coach Hill has instilled a process where we’re competing and grinding every day. We treat every workout like it's our last workout, and I feel like we can win and be a dominant team.”

Shepard arrived at SIU in 2024 as a walk-on, and after redshirting his first season, won a starting cornerback slot in 2025. He started every game for the Salukis and finished with the fourth-most snaps played on defense. Shepard had 28 tackles and five breakups last season and was among the team’s highest-graded players.

“I had a great offseason (heading into 2025),” Shepard explained. “I gained a couple pounds, worked on my technique, got in the lab with Coach (Eriq) Moore and just learned the game of football even more. I knew there were two, great older guys in Jeremiah McClendon and Sebastian Vargas that I had to compete with for the job. They really pushed me to be at my best.”

Now that McClendon has graduated and is prepping for the NFL draft, Shepard becomes one of the veterans in the cornerbacks room for 2026.

“This is my third year at SIU, so I feel like I have to step up now and be a leader,” Shepard said. “Not just a leader that shows what I do, but also a vocal leader — teaching, helping the freshmen and the transfers ease into the room. And I still need compete for my job because no job is 100 percent solidified.”

Shepard played the fourth-most snaps on defense for SIU in 2025.

Shepard said the opportunity to continue developing under Moore was another key factor in his decision to return.

“I love that dude,” Shepard said. “He made me a better corner. He didn't just teach me technique on the football field, but he helped me understand the game more and helped me understand every position. I feel like Coach Moore can help me evolve into a player that I think I'm not even capable of reaching.”

Shepard is the third defensive starter in the last several days to announce he's returning, along with linebacker Chris Presto and safety Vinny Pierre Jr.