Lito Decorian Sheppard was born in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was a USA Today All-American on his high school football team. He comes from a Gator family that includes uncle #8 Don Gaffney ('73-'75), uncle #23 Derrick Gaffney ('74-77), and cousin #10 Jabar Gaffney ('00-'01). Lito continued the legacy as a defensive back and kick returner for Steve Spurrier‘s Florida Gators from 1999 to 2001. As a DB, he played on the same team as his cousin, Jabar Gaffney, in the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He had some electrifying kick returns, usually at the expense of SEC foe Tennessee, even leading the SEC in punt returns in 2000 at 14 yards per punt return for 2 touchdowns and interceptions at 6 interceptions for 179 yards total off interception returns. In 3 years he was a 1st-team All-American and 1st-team All-SEC as a punt and kick returner. As DB he recorded 8 interceptions and had 87 tackles. As kick returner he averaged a stellar 23.5 yards per kick return (20 returns, 469 yards) and a decent 11.5 yards per punt return (48 returns, 553 yards). He is ranked 6th all-time SEC in punt return touchdown and 13th all-time in the SEC with career interception return yards.
