Jordan Shipley

In 2006, Shipley wasn't necessarily dreaming of the NFL, but merely playing football again. After he missed the 2004 and '05 seasons due to injuries, Shipley was able to get back on the field -- and become an elite receiver. The synchronicity between receiver and quarterback is always crucial for a successful passing game. But, the bond between Shipley and Colt McCoy goes well beyond the football field. The history between the McCoys and Shipleys go back to even before their famous collegiate sons were born. Colt's father, Brad, was a safety at Abilene Christian. Brad was roommates with Shipley's father, Bob. The roommates would continue to be involved in football as coaches. Brad McCoy is now the head coach at Graham High School, where Colt's brother, Case, was the starting quarterback. Brad had previously coached Colt during their time at Jim Ned High. Bob Shipley is the head coach at Brownwood High School and previously coached Jordan, first at Rotan High School and later at Burnet High. Jordan Shipley was granted his sixth year of eligibility after the 2008 season that saw him produce the first of two All-American campaigns. By the time he would hang up his Texas helmet for good, Shipley would become the school's record-holder with 248 receptions, finishing second in school annals with 3,191 yards receiving and 33 touchdown catches. Shipley also excelled on special teams. He averaged 12.5 yards per punt return, running back three attempts for touchdowns. He also averaged 24.63 yards per kickoff return, including one for a score. In addition, he served as UT's holder on field goals and PATs. He closed out his career with 4,196 all-purpose yards, the eighth-best total in the history of Texas football. Shipley is the only player in school history to catch ten or more passes in back-to-back games and owns the Longhorn record with three consecutive games with 10 or more receptions (vs. Texas Tech, Texas-El Paso and Colorado in 2009). His nine contests with at least ten catches established a Longhorns career-record. He also holds the UT record for most receptions in a game with 15, set in 2008 vs. Oklahoma State. The talented receiver has shown a keen eye for the end zone. He put together a record-breaking string of at least one touchdown reception in eight consecutive games to open the 2008 season. He would go on to score 24 times in his last 27 games, coming up with at least one scoring grab in 18 of those contests. He is the first player in Texas history to score touchdowns by a reception, kickoff and punt return in the same season. Shipley became just the fourth Longhorn to record a punt return and a kickoff return for touchdowns during a career. His three punt returns for scores tied the UT career-record and his total kicks returned for touchdowns (four) also tied the Longhorns all-time mark. The only player in school history to catch 80 or more passes in back-to-back seasons, Shipley and McCoy would become the most dangerous quarterback-to-receiver tandem in Texas annals. The duo would hook up for 205 receptions, good for 2,545 yards and 24 touchdowns during their final two seasons together. In 2008, Shipley teamed with Quan Cosby to give Texas its most productive receiving tandem in school history, as the pair combined for 181 receptions for 2,183 yards. Shipley was coached by his father at Burnet High School during his final three prep seasons after the pair began their football time together during Jordan's freshman campaign at Rotan High. Shipley was twice named Class 3A All-State first-team, where he excelled as a receiver, defensive back and on special teams. He earned 2004 Parade All-America honors and was named the 2003 Old Spice "Red Zone" Player of the Year by USA Today. Shipley was tabbed the 2003 Class 3A Texas Player of the Year by Dave Campbell's Texas Football and chosen the 3A Offensive Player of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association. He also earned first-team 3A All-State honors at receiver by the Associated Press and was a second-team All-State pick as a defensive back and third-team selection as a kick returner, in addition to receiving District 25-3A MVP honors that year. Shipley recorded 264 career catches for 5,424 yards (rank second all-time nationally) and 73 touchdowns (also rank second all-time nationally), which are still the state prep records. He had 23 career interceptions and 18 kick returns for touchdowns. He led his team to a 28-2 record and back-to-back 3A Div. I state final games in his last two years and a 46-8 mark in four seasons as a starter. As a senior, Shipley caught 95 passes for 1,920 yards and 30 touchdowns in leading 3A Division I state runner-up Burnet to a 14-1 record. He also had eight interceptions, 73 tackles and 17 pass deflections on defense and returned two punts and a pair of kick-offs for scores in 2003. That performance earned him an invitation to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Shipley caught 80 passes for 1,717 yards and 22 touchdowns en route to first-team All-State honors and 3A Offensive Player of the Year accolades as a junior. He had 30 total touchdowns and posted 10 interceptions (three returned for scores) that year, as he helped his squad post a 14-1 record and reach the 3A Division I state finals. The receiver began his Burnet High career by 47 passes for 1,119 yards and 15 touchdowns in leading his team to an 8-3 mark as a sophomore. He was the starting receiver at Class 1A Rotan High as a freshman and earned second-team all-state honors as a kick returner and third-team recognition at receiver. Shipley also lettered and competed in state championships in track (four years), basket-ball (three years) and golf (two years). He was part of a fifth-place finish in the 400 meter relay and sixth -place finish in the 800 meter relay at the Class 3A state meet in 2003. Hamstring issues kept Shipley from performing at Texas during his first two seasons at the university (2004-05). He would also miss the first two games of the 2007 season with a hamstring injury in the opposite leg. He applied for and the NCAA awarded him a sixth year of eligibility in 2009, but he would also sit out 2009 spring with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Shipley finally got the opportunity to play at Texas in 2006. He appeared in thirteen games as a reserve flanker, earning his first career start vs. Texas Tech. He also worked as a kickoff and punt returner and served as UT's holder, earning the team's Frank Medina Rehabilitation Award. He closed out his first campaign with 16 catches for 229 yards (14.31 yards per catch) and four touchdowns, adding 110 yards on seven carries (15.7 yards per catch). As a sophomore, Shipley shared flanker duties with Nate Jones and Billy Pittman, stating seven of 13 games. He ranked fourth on the squad with 417 yards and five touchdowns on 27 receptions (15.44 yards per catch), as he also performed on the special teams coverage units, recording four tackles. Shipley started all year at flanker in 2008, earning Associated Press All-American third-team honors as a receiver, adding Sports Illustrated honorable mention as a return specialist. He ranked second on the team with 89 receptions, as his 1,060 yards (11.91 yards per catch) ranks fifth on the school season-record list. He averaged 10.67 yards with a score via punt returns and 26.27 yards with another touchdown as a kickoff returner, scoring 78 points while generating 119.23 all-purpose yards per game. Shipley garnered All-American honors, as the Biletnikoff Award finalist and Maxwell Award semifinalist ranked fifth in the nation with a school season-record 116 receptions. He placed sixth nationally with a UT record 1,485 yards receiving, establishing another Long-horn season mark with thirteen touchdown grabs. He returned two punts for scores, ranking 14th nationally with a 12.96-yard average. He scored 90 points and had 1,870 all-purpose yards, the seventh-best season total in school annals, starting the first six games at flanker before shifting to split end for the rest of the campaign.

after the catch

Secures ball first, then changes direction quickly or uses a stop move to gain additional yardage. Better acceleration than expected, can take off through a hole in the second level. Runs tough with a nose for the first down marker or goal line. Some elusiveness on the run, quickly sidestepping oncoming safeties, but isn't a jitterbug. Aware of the sideline, tightropes to stay in-bounds. Solid kick returner, has good hands and runs strong but could improve his vision in finding the open lane. Lacks great speed to run away from defenders with the angle.

route running

Runs every route on the tree effectively, and has a great understanding with his quarterback. Sets up double moves by selling defenders with a head or body fake. Best working inside in zones or on crossing routes, but has the quickness to stretch the field down the seam or sideline. Uses his arms and quickness to get separation on out routes. Comes back to the quarterback or finds a hole to sit down in when needed. Inconsistent sinking his hips to explode out of cut.

intangibles

Sixth-year player with exceptional maturity. Gives great effort. Leader on the team both on and off the field. No character issues. Missed seasons with hamstring and leg injuries, also missed spring 2009 practices with surgery on his right shoulder.

hands

Solid hands, reliable on routine catches and capable of making the highlight reel grab. Willing to go over the middle, or up for a jump ball, and absorb a hit after the catch. Allows balls into his chest instead of catching away from his frame at times, and doesn't always adjust to high throws well. Shows good hands and makes solid decisions on punt returns, and will take the big hit. Holds for field goals and extra points.

release

Lines up at multiple spots, but should work best as a slot receiver in the NFL because of his intelligence and lack of elite size. Good first step off the line, although he is not up against the jam very often. Won't eat up cushion quickly or accelerate past pro corners, and must find holes in zones and run crisp routes to free himself.

blocking

Very willing downfield blocker on screens and run plays, but lacks the strength to be a dominant force. Sustains adequately using his hands when he attacks a man's jersey, but will miss his target when throwing his body at the defender.

2004-05: Hamstring injuries kept Shipley from performing at Texas during his first two seasons at the university. 2006: He would also miss the first two games of the 2007 season with a hamstring injury in the opposite leg (only held in the Arkansas State and TCU contests). 2009: Applied for and the NCAA awarded him a sixth year of eligibility in 2009, but he would also sit out 2009 spring with a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Campus: 4.47 in the 40-yard dash

1.59 10-yard dash

2.59 20-yard dash

4.12 20-yard shuttle

6.71 three-cone drill

34-inch vertical jump

9'8" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 15 times.

Attended Rotan (Tex.) High School as a freshman before transferring to Burnet (Tex.) High, as he was coached by his father, Bob Shipley at both schools

Twice named Class 3A All-State first-team, where he excelled as a receiver, defensive back and on special teams

Earned 2004 Parade All-America honors and was named the 2003 Old Spice "Red Zone" Player of the Year by USA Today

Tabbed the 2003 Class 3A Texas Player of the Year by Dave Campbell's Texas Football and chosen the 3A Offensive Player of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association

Earned first-team 3A All-State honors at receiver by the Associated Press and was a second-team All-State pick as a defensive back and third-team selection as a kick returner, in addition to receiving District 25-3A MVP honors that year

Recorded 264 career catches for 5,424 yards (rank second all-time nationally) and 73 touchdowns (also rank second all-time nationally), which are still the state prep records

Had 23 career interceptions and 18 kick returns for touchdowns

Led his team to a 28-2 record and back-to-back 3A Div. I state final games in his last two years and a 46-8 mark in four seasons as a starter

As a senior, Shipley caught 95 passes for 1,920 yards and 30 touchdowns in leading 3A Division I state runner-up Burnet to a 14-1 record

Also had eight interceptions, 73 tackles and 17 pass deflections on defense and returned two punts and a pair of kickoffs for scores in 2003

That performance earned him an invitation to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Caught 80 passes for 1,717 yards and 22 touchdowns en route to first-team All-State honors and 3A Offensive Player of the Year accolades as a junior

Had 30 total touchdowns and posted 10 interceptions (three returned for scores) that year, as he helped his squad post a 14-1 record and reach the 3A Division I state finals

The receiver began his Burnet High career by 47 passes for 1,119 yards and 15 touchdowns in leading his team to an 8-3 mark as a sophomore

Was the starting receiver at Class 1A Rotan High as a freshman and earned second-team all-state honors as a kick returner and third-team recognition at receiver

Also lettered and competed in state championships in track (four years), basketball (three years) and golf (two years)

Part of a fifth-place finish in the 400 meter relay and sixth-place finish in the 800 meter relay at the Class 3A state meet in 2003

Honor Roll student, graduating with a 3.96 grade point average.

Graduated in December 2008 with a degree in Kinesiology and is now enrolled in graduate school

Member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll

Active in UT's community service program

Part of a group of Longhorns that regularly visits patients at the Austin Children's Hospital

Father, Bob, and grandfather, Richard Felts, both played at Abilene Christian

Bob was roommates with Longhorns QB Colt McCoy's father, Brad, at Abilene Christian and later coached Jordan at Rotan and Burnet High School before moving on to serve as head coach at Coppell and now Brownwood High

Uncle, Steven Shipley, is the second-leading receiver in Texas Christian history

Born 12/23/85 in Temple, Texas

Resides in Burnet, Texas.