Shampklin’s journey to the NFL began during his college years, where he played for the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) Minutemen football team. He put on impressive performances during his time at UMass, rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring multiple touchdowns. His exceptional skills and dedication to the game caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to his selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft.