cowboyjoe
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 28,435
- Reaction score
- 757
Texas receiver might not be drafted until Saturday
By JIMMY BURCH
[email protected]
AUSTIN -- Among prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft, Jordan Shipley has waited longer than most to hear his name called in New York.
Because of two major injuries, the former Texas receiver spent six years in Austin running routes or rehabilitating from season-ending injuries to his knee (2004) and hamstring (2005).
So it is no big deal to Shipley, a finalist for the 2009 Biletnikoff Award, if he has to wait until Saturday -- the final day of this year's draft, which begins Thursday -- to learn the identity of his future employer.
"I've learned a thing or two about patience in my career," said Shipley, who called his early injuries at Texas a "blessing in disguise" because they forced him to hone the work ethic he considers necessary to succeed at the next level.
"Wherever I go, it's going to be about playing football. That's what I love."
Shipley, who received an NCAA waiver for a sixth season of eligibility in 2009, figures to wait longer than most of his high-profile Big 12 peers to learn his NFL destination.
That is because the Big 12 is expected to produce 10 first-round picks, in the estimation of NFL scouts.
Among its list of elite commodities in the 2010 draft, the Web site NFLDraftScout.com ranks five former Big 12 players among its top six prospects: Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung and Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams.
Among the Web site's 26 highest-rated prospects, 10 played for Big 12 teams last season.
But that list doesn't include Shipley, a "tweener" projected to go in either the third or fourth round. If he is taken in the third round, Shipley (5-foot-11, 193 pounds) will hear his name called Friday.
If he falls to the fourth round or later, he will be a Saturday selection.
Regardless of which team selects him, Texas coach Mack Brown said Shipley brings more to the table than his 2009 totals for receptions (116), receiving yards (1,485) and touchdown catches (13).
All three figures are single-season school records.
Shipley also holds the school mark for career catches (248) and has been a major contributor on special teams.
He scored four touchdowns on kick returns (three punts, one kickoff) in college and spent four seasons as the holder on PATs and field goal attempts.
"Jordan is a guy scouts look at and say, 'He's really a good player. But he's not ... a glitter guy,' " Brown said. "He's not real tall. But he runs every route perfectly. He's really fast and he never drops a ball."
Scouts frequently compare Shipley to New England Patriots receiver/kick returner Wes Welker, a former Texas Tech standout who has emerged as a Pro Bowl performer despite beginning his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2004.
Shipley embraces the analogy.
"I think that guy does his job as good or better than anybody in the league," Shipley said.
"It's almost like he plays a separate position. He's in there at inside receiver and nobody can cover him. That's not a bad comparison ... I'd love to do what he does. One of my favorite parts of football is doing kickoff return and punt return."
At some point during this week's NFL draft, Shipley expects to be given that opportunity by an NFL team.
Even if he has to wait until Saturday for it to happen.
Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760
Looking for comments?
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/0...eiver-might-not-be-drafted.html#ixzz0lhPfZqLQ
By JIMMY BURCH
[email protected]
AUSTIN -- Among prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft, Jordan Shipley has waited longer than most to hear his name called in New York.
Because of two major injuries, the former Texas receiver spent six years in Austin running routes or rehabilitating from season-ending injuries to his knee (2004) and hamstring (2005).
So it is no big deal to Shipley, a finalist for the 2009 Biletnikoff Award, if he has to wait until Saturday -- the final day of this year's draft, which begins Thursday -- to learn the identity of his future employer.
"I've learned a thing or two about patience in my career," said Shipley, who called his early injuries at Texas a "blessing in disguise" because they forced him to hone the work ethic he considers necessary to succeed at the next level.
"Wherever I go, it's going to be about playing football. That's what I love."
Shipley, who received an NCAA waiver for a sixth season of eligibility in 2009, figures to wait longer than most of his high-profile Big 12 peers to learn his NFL destination.
That is because the Big 12 is expected to produce 10 first-round picks, in the estimation of NFL scouts.
Among its list of elite commodities in the 2010 draft, the Web site NFLDraftScout.com ranks five former Big 12 players among its top six prospects: Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung and Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams.
Among the Web site's 26 highest-rated prospects, 10 played for Big 12 teams last season.
But that list doesn't include Shipley, a "tweener" projected to go in either the third or fourth round. If he is taken in the third round, Shipley (5-foot-11, 193 pounds) will hear his name called Friday.
If he falls to the fourth round or later, he will be a Saturday selection.
Regardless of which team selects him, Texas coach Mack Brown said Shipley brings more to the table than his 2009 totals for receptions (116), receiving yards (1,485) and touchdown catches (13).
All three figures are single-season school records.
Shipley also holds the school mark for career catches (248) and has been a major contributor on special teams.
He scored four touchdowns on kick returns (three punts, one kickoff) in college and spent four seasons as the holder on PATs and field goal attempts.
"Jordan is a guy scouts look at and say, 'He's really a good player. But he's not ... a glitter guy,' " Brown said. "He's not real tall. But he runs every route perfectly. He's really fast and he never drops a ball."
Scouts frequently compare Shipley to New England Patriots receiver/kick returner Wes Welker, a former Texas Tech standout who has emerged as a Pro Bowl performer despite beginning his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2004.
Shipley embraces the analogy.
"I think that guy does his job as good or better than anybody in the league," Shipley said.
"It's almost like he plays a separate position. He's in there at inside receiver and nobody can cover him. That's not a bad comparison ... I'd love to do what he does. One of my favorite parts of football is doing kickoff return and punt return."
At some point during this week's NFL draft, Shipley expects to be given that opportunity by an NFL team.
Even if he has to wait until Saturday for it to happen.
Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760
Looking for comments?
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/0...eiver-might-not-be-drafted.html#ixzz0lhPfZqLQ
DAL @ GB
