Updated: August 22, 2026
Who Are Will Sheppard Parents? Will Sheppard’s steady climb from Louisiana high school standout to Vanderbilt star, Colorado contributor, and now Green Bay Packers wide receiver did not happen in isolation. Behind the reliable hands and 6-foot-3 frame sits a family steeped in competitive sports and quiet determination. Fans searching for “Will Sheppard parents” often want the full picture of the people who shaped him. Here is the clear, up-to-date story.
Table of Contents
Meet Willie Sheppard: The Football Foundation
Willie Sheppard, Will’s father, played college football at Louisiana Tech University as a cornerback and running back. That dual-position experience gave him a well-rounded view of the game—speed, toughness, and field awareness—that he passed along in backyard sessions and daily coaching.
Willie has spoken about watching his sons compete from an early age, noting the grit that defined both Will and his younger brother. He remained a steady presence through Will’s years at Mandeville High School, the Vanderbilt Commodores, the graduate transfer to Colorado, and the undrafted free-agent path that led to the Packers in 2025. The father’s own playing background created a household where hard work and accountability were non-negotiable.
Rebekah Boyd: Volleyball Excellence and Steady Support
Will’s mother, Rebekah Boyd (now often referred to as Rebekah Boyd-Smith), was a standout volleyball player at Louisiana Tech during the same era her future husband played football there. That shared college athletic experience formed the foundation of a household that understood the demands of training, travel, and balancing academics with sports.
Today she serves as assistant director of the Fallen Lineman Organization, a role focused on memorializing electrical workers who lost their lives on the job. Her professional commitment to community and remembrance sits alongside the practical support she has given her children—attending games, managing the logistics of multiple athletes in the family, and keeping perspective when the spotlight intensifies. Official team bios from both Vanderbilt and Colorado consistently list her as a key influence.
The Sheppard Siblings: Competition and Camaraderie
Will is not the only athlete in the house. He has a younger brother, Nate Sheppard, a running back at Duke University, and a sister named Aubrie. Nate has spoken about growing up in Will’s shadow yet benefiting from the daily competition and advice that came with it. Their father has described the brothers as loving, supportive, and relentlessly competitive with each other—talking almost every day even as their careers took them to different campuses and now different levels of the sport.
That sibling dynamic reinforced the values Willie and Rebekah modeled: show up every day, push one another, and stay connected.
Family Snapshot: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Father | Willie Sheppard (Louisiana Tech football) |
| Mother | Rebekah Boyd / Boyd-Smith (Louisiana Tech volleyball; Fallen Lineman Organization) |
| Siblings | Nate Sheppard (Duke RB), Aubrie |
| Will’s Birthplace | Ruston, Louisiana (Feb. 11, 2002) |
| High School | Mandeville High School, Louisiana |
| College Path | Vanderbilt (2020–23), Colorado (2024) |
| Current Team | Green Bay Packers (signed 2025) |
How Athletic Parents Shape an NFL Path
Growing up with two college athletes as parents gave Will more than genes. It provided early exposure to training habits, recovery routines, and the mental side of competing at a high level. Key takeaways from the Sheppard household include:
- Consistent emphasis on multi-sport development—Will also lettered in basketball and track, posting a 6-foot-8 high jump in high school.
- Realistic expectations about the long road from high school to the NFL, especially for an undrafted player.
- Strong sibling rivalry that stayed healthy and motivational rather than destructive.
- A balance of athletic intensity and community-minded values, visible in Rebekah’s current professional work.
These elements helped Will post strong college numbers—eventually finishing with 200 receptions, more than 2,600 receiving yards, and 27 touchdowns—before earning his professional opportunity with the Packers.
Conclusion
Will Sheppard Parents: Willie Sheppard and Rebekah Boyd raised three children in an environment that prized athletic excellence, mutual support, and steady character. Their own college careers at Louisiana Tech set a practical example, while their ongoing presence through Will’s journey from Mandeville to Nashville, Boulder, and Green Bay shows the lasting power of family foundation. As Will continues carving out his role with the Packers, the influence of his parents remains one of the clearest parts of his story—rooted in sports, grounded in values, and still very much active in 2026.