Overview

Standout lower level prospect who was invited to the NFL Combine despite missing all but the first game of the 2007 season due to a knee injury. Shields will have to prove his knee has healed to have any shot at getting drafted, of course, but when healthy he has shown the combination of size, strength, burst, straight-line speed and reliable hands to surprise at the next level - just as the last Spider to earn an invitation to the Combine (veteran linebacker Shawn Barber) has.

Earned All-Conference honors after leading his team to its first conference championship under head coach Kenny Lucas in 2002... Made 26 receptions for 350 yards and five touchdowns as a senior... Recorded 22 tackles, four pass break-ups and one interception for the Conference's top-ranked defense... Also helped lead the track team to a conference title.

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Analysis

Positives: Lanky frame with room for additional growth. ... Has the straight-line speed to challenge deep and is able to generate consistent separation from defenders due to his burst out of his breaks and effective upper body fakes. ... Reliable receiver who catches the ball with his hands. ... Hard-worker who takes his role as a downfield blocker seriously.

Negatives: Has to prove he has recovered from the knee injury that limited him to only one game in 2007 (Vanderbilt). ... Adequate physical tools in all areas, but may lack the special speed or burst to operate effectively against elite competition. ... Marginal quickness off the snap and can be re-routed with physical coverage. ... Struggled tracking passes over his shoulder.

Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.

Q & A

Growing up, who was your favorite NFL player and why?

Jerry Rice because of his work ethic.

In college, what player hit you the hardest? Who was the recipient of your best hit?

Catching the winning touchdown in triple overtime against Hofstra in 2005; Being named the Godfather of my niece.

What TV-show marathon will keep you on the couch all day?

Martin and the Jamie Foxx Show

What are the five most-played songs in your iPod? What's the one song you hope nobody ever finds out is in your iPod?

Any Lil' Wayne song or Sizzla. All of my songs are on point.

What celebrity would play you in the movie version of your life and why?

Denzel Washington because he brings a lot of emotion to the screen.

What is one thing your teammates don't know about you?

They don't know the hard work I put in off the field to make myself better.

What reality TV show would you like to be on and why?

Real World because it looks like a lot of fun.

What's your proudest moment in football? Proudest moment off the field?

They don't know the hard work I put in off the field to make myself better.

When you play Madden, what team do you use? Do you put yourself on the team?

Don't play

Who has been the biggest influence on your football career and how?

My dad for teaching me how to push my body and what hard work is. Coach Toby Settles, he gave me my first knowledge on being a wide out along with drills. Caoch Latrell Scott he made me a smarter player and he also taught me how to push myself at the college level.