That’s why the KU cornerback from Mesquite, Texas, who will be playing the last home game of his college career at 2 p.m. Saturday against No. 5 TCU at Memorial Stadium, was shocked to learn he was one of 10 finalists for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award, announced earlier this week.

Shepherd, a standout on the field, in the classroom and in the community, is the first Jayhawk to crack the final 10 for the football version of the award since Darrell Stuckey in 2009. He also is one of three Big 12 athletes in this year’s Top 10.

“I didn’t expect to make the final list,” Shepherd said with a look of genuine surprise.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Div. I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence — community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

Shepherd has done that since the day he arrived in Lawrence — and even before as a young man back in Texas — and he said continuing to advance in the running for such a prestigious award has meant the world to him and his family.

“To me, it just means I’m not being overlooked and people are paying attention to the things I do on and off the field and they care,” he said. “Obviously, the fans in Kansas and my parents and family are going to be supporting me, but just knowing that there are people on the outside that are looking in and actually seeing what I’m doing, that just means a lot.”

It’s not just his character that helped him get this kind of recognition. Shepherd enters this weekend leading the Big 12 and ranking third in the nation in passes defended, with 14 pass break-ups and two interceptions. He also is the top kick returner for the Jayhawks, with 28 returns for 589 yards, including a long return of 33 yards this season. He currently sits in fourth place on the KU all-time list for kickoff return yards with 1,166 and ranks sixth all-time in kickoff returns.

Shepherd said he expected this weekend’s home finale against TCU would be emotional, but added that it had not hit him yet.

“I’m a pretty level-headed dude,” he said. “But I’m sure the emotions will hit me as soon as I walk out onto the field on Saturday.”

In all, Shepherd said 19 members of his family — “and possibly more” — were planning to make the trip to Lawrence for his final home game as a Jayhawk.

After landing on the Senior CLASS Award’s initial list of 30 student-athletes earlier this year, Shepherd made two cuts to crack the Top 10. Fans can vote for Shepherd, a two-time academic all-Big 12 honoree, by visiting the Senior CLASS website through Dec. 15 and the winner will be announced during bowl season in early January.