LSU Football: Russell Shepard Makes Smart Decision Returning for Senior Season

LSU wide receiver Russell Shepard will return to the Tigers for his senior season, which is really good news for Les Miles' team after several players have already declared for April's NFL draft.

With teammates Rueben Randle, Morris Claiborne and Michael Brockers reportedly going to the NFL, the Tigers' 2011 roster has been hit hard with star players departing the program.

This is a smart decision for Shepard, who could certainly use another year under coach Miles to reach his full potential and become a better draft prospect.

It's clear that Shepard wasn't going to be selected in the first few rounds of the draft, and there's a good chance he would not have been drafted at all.

Shepard has one final season to realize his full potential and be the star player his coaches know he can be. The Tigers offense isn't one that puts up a ton of yards, especially in the passing game, so Shepard might not rack up the stats he's hoping to next season.

As a team, LSU threw for 2,135 yards this season, with Randle and fellow receiver Odell Beckham accounting for almost 1,400 of those passing yards.

Randle's departure may open the door for Shepard to play a larger role in the offense. Shepard caught just 14 passes this season for 190 yards, including four touchdown receptions and four drops.

Not only does he need to be more effective in the offense, Shepard needs to be productive for LSU on a consistent basis. To really show NFL scouts that he will be a success at the professional level, he has to be consistent in his performances.

With another year of SEC football on an elite team, Shepard has no excuse if he fails to become a better player next season.

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