Hidden Gems Football Powers Up West Region with Veteran Leader Nakawa Shepherd Driving Scouting & Player Growth

Compton native brings decades of football experience and youth mentorship to AI-powered recruiting platform

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 15, 2025 — Hidden Gems Football, the AI-enhanced sports media and scouting platform, proudly announces the appointment of Nakawa Shepherd as its new Director of Scouting & Player Development – West Region. A respected leader with deep roots in Southern California football and a lifelong commitment to youth development, Shepherd will lead athlete evaluations, in-person scouting, mentorship, and regional outreach across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.

A graduate of Carson High School, Shepherd was a standout Free Safety under Hall of Fame coach Gene Vollnogle, helping lead his teams to two 4A City Championships (1988 and 1990). He earned a scholarship to Fresno State, where he played under the late Coach Jim Sweeney, contributing significantly to the Bulldogs’ nationally ranked 1992 season, which included a landmark victory over USC in the Freedom Bowl.

After his playing days, Shepherd transitioned into a leadership role off the field, spending more than two decades in youth mentorship with Job Corps and coaching football at the grassroots level. His passion for guiding young athletes through life’s challenges has earned him widespread respect throughout the Southern California sports community.

“I want to be an advocate for the kids and their families,” said Shepherd. “There’s so much noise in recruiting today. I’m here to help them focus on what matters—academics, discipline, and doing things the right way.”

At Hidden Gems Football, Shepherd will oversee live evaluations at combines, regional games, and training sessions. He’ll also work closely with coaches, families, and schools to ensure every athlete receives not just a ranking—but real mentorship, academic support, and a path forward.

ABOUT HIDDEN GEMS FOOTBALL

Hidden Gems Football is a sports media and analytics company committed to discovering and showcasing high-potential high school athletes who are often overlooked by traditional recruiting platforms. Combining verified combine data, AI-powered analysis from Marblism, Inc., and expert human scouting, Hidden Gems provides accurate exposure, player rankings, and performance tracking across its proprietary website, mobile app, and social media channels.

Driven by the belief that talent is everywhere—but opportunity is not, Hidden Gems blends modern technology with old-school integrity. The platform aims to preserve the values of hard work, character, and community—while revolutionizing how future stars are found.