Georgia running back Tolerance Shepherd plans to play for UTC Mocs

Friday, January 1, 1904

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Picking the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga "really wasn't that hard a choice," Fitzgerald (Ga.) High School running back Tolerance Shepherd said Monday, a day after committing to the Mocs.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Shepherd was one of eight uncommitted football recruits who visited UTC last weekend, and he was one of three who committed to the Mocs on Sunday. Shepherd's commitment gives UTC 10 with three weeks to go before signing day on Feb. 1.

"When I came up there I fell in love with the city, and the coaches all seem like good people," Shepherd said. "It seems like everything's set up for the best interests of the athletes, and I liked that and my mom really liked that."

As a senior, Shepherd rushed for 1,564 yards on 183 carries -- an average of 8.5 yards per carry -- and scored 20 touchdowns. He earned GSWA honorable mention Class AA all-state honors and was named to the Macon Telegraph's All-Middle Georgia first team and the Tifton Gazette's All-Tiftarea first team.

Shepherd said his only other offer was from Butler (Kan.) Community College. The Mocs return all of their running backs from last season, so he will be joining a crowded backfield.

Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeatCTFP.