The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2020
- Class:
- 2009
One of the premier receivers and kick returners in Texas Football history who went on to play four seasons in the NFL, Jordan Shipley was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (nation's top receiver) and a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (nation's top player) as a senior. A two-time All-American (2008-09) who earned consensus first-team honors in 2009, he finished his career as UT's all-time leader in receptions (248) and ranked second in receiving yards (3,191) and receiving touchdowns (33). Shipley was also a two-time All-Big 12 selection who earned second-team honors as a receiver and returner in 2008, while collecting first-team honors as a receiver and honorable mention as a returner in 2009. From 2006-09, Shipley played in 53 games (35 starts) during a four-year stretch that saw the Longhorns win at least 12 games twice, at least 10 games all four years and post an overall record of 45-8 (26-6 Big 12). UT won three bowl games, appeared in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, finished in the top 15 all four years and twice posted a top-five finish. The Longhorns' final Associated Press Top 25 ranking improved each year with Shipley on the roster, peaking with a No. 2 finish in 2009. In addition to being the program's career leader in receptions and one of the top two in receiving yards and TDs, Shipley also left his mark as a returner. He returned 30 punts for 375 yards (12.5 ypr) and three TDs, and returned 19 kickoffs for 468 yards (24.6 ypr) and one TD. He was the first player in UT history to score a TD by reception, kickoff and punt return in the same season, and one of only four to achieve that feat during a career. His three punt return TDs are tied for the school record, as are his four total kick return TDs. Shipley totaled 4,196 all-purpose yards over the course of his collegiate career, the eighth-most by a Longhorn all-time. He finished his career by catching at least one pass in 31-straight contests, which was the third-longest streak in school history at the time. He still holds the UT record for most receptions in a single game, which he set with 15 catches against Oklahoma State in 2008. Nine times during Shipley's career he caught at least 10 passes in a game, the most in school history. In 2009, Shipley set UT single-season records for receptions (116) and receiving yards (1,485) and tied for first with 13 TD receptions. Shipley was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection in 2009 and a four-time member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll. He graduated from Texas in December 2008 with a degree in kinesiology. Shipley was the 84th overall pick in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played in 24 games over four NFL seasons, catching 79 passes for 858 yards and four TDs. The Burnet, Texas native was inducted into the Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Shipley kickstarted his career outside of football by hosting "The Bucks of Tecomate" on the Outdoor Channel. In 2018 and 2019, Shipley was a part of Longhorn Network's "Texas GameDay" crew, providing insight and analysis before and after Texas Football games.
