College football: Local grads on the move this offseason

Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher (14) dives in for a rushing touchdown against Arkansas State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Huntington, W.Va. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher (14) dives in for a rushing touchdown against Arkansas State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Huntington, W.Va. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)
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May 7, 2024
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Alter grad Derrick Shepard Jr. went south to play college football two years ago.

Next year he’s going much farther.

The sophomore announced Tuesday he is headed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham after two years at Cincinnati, where he played in seven games last season after redshirting in 2022.

ExploreHere are some of the top prospects for 2025

Shepard, who was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, is one of a least a dozen local high school grads to enter the portal since the end of last season.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Here is a look at the group:

Wayne cornerback Justin Harris

Old school: Cincinnati; New school: Texas State

Cincinnati cornerback Justin Harris (12) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Eastern Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

Fairfield running back Jutahn McClain

Old school: Kentucky; New school: To be determined

Kentucky running back JuTahn McClain (4) runs for a 36-yard touchdown against against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

Trotwood-Madison defensive back Sammy Anderson Jr.

Old school: Cincinnati; New school: Austin Peay

Central Florida wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe (4) cannot hold onto a pass as Cincinnati cornerback Sammy Anderson (11) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Credit: Phelan M. Ebenhack

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Credit: Phelan M. Ebenhack

Lakota West linebacker Daved Jones

Old school: Cincinnati; New school: Jackson State

Lakota West football coach Tom Bolden, front right, introduces his players during the Greater Miami Conference football signing day program Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Sharonville Convention Center. Left to right: Isaac signed with Butler University, Daved Jones signed with University of Cincinnati, David Afari signed with Miami University, and Jake Kieffer signed with Morehead State University. Over fifty students from the ten schools in the league have signed letters of intent to play football in college. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Middletown linebacker Cameron Junior

Old school: Cincinnati; New school: Eastern Kentucky

Middletown running back Cameron Junior carries the ball for a touchdown during their game against Kings Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 at Barnitz Stadium in Middletown. Kings won 34-13. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Wayne quarterback Cam Fancher

Old school: Marshall; New school: Florida Atlantic

Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher (14) celebrates after a touchdown with teammates Logan Osburn (65) and Chuck Montgomery (10) during an NCAA college football game against Arkansas State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Huntington, W.Va. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

Alter defensive lineman Derrick Shepard Jr.

Old school: Cincinnati; New school: TBD

Alter's Derrick Shepard Jr. (50) blocks against Fenwick on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at Roush Stadium in Kettering. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

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Credit: David Jablonski

Centerville quarterback Chase Harrison

Old school: Marshall; New school: Ball State

Centerville's Chase Harrison throws a pass against Springfield on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Springfield. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

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Credit: David Jablonski

Lakota West cornerback Jyaire Brown

Old school: Ohio State; New school: LSU

Cornerback Jyaire Brown (18), of Lakota West, warms up at the the first Ohio State practice of the season on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

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Credit: David Jablonski

Northmont linebacker Nigel Glover

Old school: Ohio State; New school: TBD

Northmont's Nigel Glover returns a fumble for a touchdown against Fairmont on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Premier Health Stadium in Clayton. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

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Credit: David Jablonski

Miamisburg tight end Jackson McGohan

Old school: Cincinnati; New school: Wisconsin

LSU running back Kaleb Jackson (28) follows a block by tight end Jackson McGohan (83) on Mississippi State defensive end Deonte Anderson (91) as he runs for short yardage during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. LSU won 41-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

Centerville linebacker Joseph Jean-Louis

Old school: Iowa State; New school: North Texas

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Marcus Hartman has been a digital sports columnist and reporter at Cox's Ohio newspapers the Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and Journal-News since 2016.