Top 10 WSU players for 2023: DT Sheffield at No. 8

Cougfan.com is running a 10-part series of Washington State's top football players with fall camp kicking off Aug. 2. The criteria for our list includes how important a player is to the success of the 2023 Cougs, and how they rank among the Pac-12’s best at their position. This is the third entry in the series. Disagree with our picks? Weigh in on the CF.C Luxury SuitesHERE.

IF YOU WANT to wager who will have the most explosive plays for Washington State this season, DT Sheffield shapes up as a pretty good bet. The 5-10, 172-pound wide receiver flashed during spring football drills and had a big spring game, hauling in three passes for 121 yards, with two grabs covering 63 and 51 yards.

Sheffield, a JC transfer from Northwest Mississippi CC, was one of WSU's steadiest slot receivers this spring, and was the best at taking the top off the defense. There's certainly a buzz about him; Phil Steele doesn't generally put JC transfers on his preseason conference teams but he slotted Sheffield on his All-Pac-12 fourth team, and Lindy's named him  one of its players to watch.

Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle wants to stretch the field vertically more than the Cougs did last year, and that plays into Sheffield's wheelhouse. Based on spring, he also should figure in on punt returns.

"My focus is to learn the playbook way more," Sheffield said after the final spring session. "Just grind and stay in shape. Cam (Ward) and I just started (to get) better chemistry because I just started running with the ones. At first, I didn't know the offense but (now) I know it better, so him and I have been locked in."

DICKERT HAS FAVORABLY COMPARED SHEFFIELD to a pair of former dynamic Cougar slot receivers in Travell Harris and Renard Bell. But Sheffield might have more top-end speed.

"I think DT Sheffield has been a really bright spot in our offense," Dickert said after a spring practice. "'Who is going to pick up that slack in the slot? He's done a good job making some big, explosive plays. And today, we finally see him do some things with the ball in his hands and making people miss."

Speed is not the only skill for Sheffield. He plays physically despite his size, and did a decent job blocking in the spring. His route running is crisp (something not always the case with speedy guys).

Sheffield's hands were mostly solid but there were a few days he had a case of the drops -- something he is undoubtedly working on this summer with Ward and the Cougar QBs. 

Originally from Corinth, Miss., Sheffield has two years of eligibility due to the covid waiver. He had 58 receptions for 776 yards (13.4 ypc), and 11 TDs in 12 games last season to lead NMCC. Sheffield as a return man also averaged 11.3 hashes on 20 punts, taking one to the house. He was named NJCAA All-America honorable mention in '22.