The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
11.26.2007 | Football
As a standout on both sides of the football for Burnet High School, Jordan Shipley was no stranger to working hard to be successful. Shipley was a two-time first-team 3A all-state pick and along with other numerous accolades in the high school ranks, Shipley is the most prolific wide receiver in the history of Texas high school football.
His time on the 40 Acres has been plagued with various injuries leaving Longhorns fans wondering when they might be able to see him have a chance to reach his potential. It has also left Shipley with the same wonderment of when his time would come.
"It has been really frustrating," Shipley said. "It has been a really tough couple of years. I have missed two whole years; my first two years with injuries and all of two-a-days and the first two games of this year. It has been tough trying to come back from that."
Through much hard work, dedication and a strong conviction, Shipley is in route to returning to his high school playing form and the hardships he has encountered have made him more resilient.
"The biggest thing helping me come back from those injuries would be my faith," Shipley stated. "I think that God definitely had a plan for me, and it obviously wasn't to play as soon as I thought I should have been playing. I learned a lot from it and I think it has made me a lot better person in the long run. It's hard for me to regret it completely because it's kind of molded my character."
His parents and other loved ones have also played a role in his effort to come back from the many setbacks he has encountered. His father Bob Shipley, who was also his high school head coach at Burnet, among others have surrounded him with support and the necessities needed to continue on with football.
"My parents have definitely been a big inspiration to me and always telling me to keep going," Shipley said. "I've been fortunate. I have some good friends on the team that have kind of kept me going and kept me positive. More than anything, my faith has been the main thing that has kept me going through all of this. Definitely also my family and my friends have been great."
Fellow wide receiver Nate Jones has seen first hand the toughness of Shipley and acknowledges what he has been through is something a lot of people may not have had the ability to come back from.
"Jordan is a really good guy, he never lets himself get down," Jones stated. "For someone who has had the injuries that Jordan has had and with having to sit out for two or three years almost without playing is something really difficult to come back from. He just bounced back and focused on everything that he needed to. He is one of our soldiers on the team and he's going to continue to work."
Talent has never been under question when it comes to Shipley. Former Longhorns quarterback Vince Young, supplied the then-freshman with a nickname for his ability to make difficult catches look effortless.
"Jordan is extremely good when he is healthy," offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. "In fact, his freshman year through about four practices Vince [Young] had nicknamed him ESPN."
It is no secret that Shipley possesses uncanny abilities when it comes to playing on the gridiron. His speed and knowledge of the game have proved to be key determinants for his accomplishments. With WR Limas Sweed missing most of the season after wrist surgery, the depth of the wide receiving corps has been tested.
Shipley's aptitude on the field allows for him to play all three wide receiver positions, something that has really benefited the team.
"Having Jordan back really helps us out a lot," Jones said. "We had one guy down with Sweed, and Jordan knows all three positions. It just keeps the rotation alive. All the guys can come in full strength and Jordan knows all the blitzes, so he can also play the slot receiver position. To have a guy like that, that can play all three positions like me, really helps us out."
With the close of the regular season, Shipley has recorded his first multi-touchdown game since high school in the win over Iowa State, and for the year, he leads the team with an average of 17.8 yards per catch on his 21 receptions for 373 yards and five TDs.
The only thing now might be for his for his roommate, QB Colt McCoy, to do what any wide receiver would want and get the ball in his friend's hands a little more often.
"It's funny, someone actually sent an anonymous letter to the house asking him why he doesn't throw the ball to me more," Shipley joked. "I told him I was going to frame it and put it on the wall. He asked me if I wrote it, or that it had to be someone that I knew that did it. I don't know who did it though."
Hopefully Shipley has many more catches to come in his Texas career.
