The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Shipley named Biletnikoff Award finalist
11.23.2009 | Football
Nov. 23, 2009
Senior WR Jordan Shipley has been named a finalist for the 2009 Biletnikoff Award, honoring the nation's top wide receiver, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club has announced.
Shipley is the first Longhorn to be named a finalist for the award, which Quan Cosby was a semifinalist for last season.
Also a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, Shipley has caught 91 passes for 1,204 yards (13.2 ypc) and nine TDs this season. The 91 receptions rank third on UT's single-season list, the 1,204 yards are a single-season record and the nine TDs are tied for fourth. His 8.3 receptions per game rank fifth nationally and his 109.5 receiving yards per game are sixth. He has six 100-yard receiving games this season (t-No. 2 on UT's single-season list), which is double the amount he had coming into the season, and he's caught at least seven passes in eight of UT's 11 games, including five with at least 10 catches.
Shipley is one of just two players nationally to post five double-digit catch games and six 100-yard receiving games. In addition to his receiving skills, Shipley has returned 23 punts for 306 yards and two TDs. His 13.3 ypr average ranks 15th nationally (first Big 12) and his 142.8 all-purpose yards per game rank 30th (third Big 12). Shipley has posted at least 100 all-purpose yards in eight of 11 games this season.
Over the last five games, Jordan Shipley has posted 40 catches for 599 yards (15.0 ypc) and six TDs. He is averaging eight catches and 119.8 yards per game over that stretch. Of the 40 catches, 25 have gone for first downs (62.5%).
During his 50-game career (32 starts), Shipley has recorded 223 receptions (No. 2 on UT's all-time list) for 2,910 yards (No. 3 on UT's all-time list) and 29 TDs (No. 2 on UT's all-time list). He is the only player in UT history to record multiple seasons with 80 or more receptions and one of just two receivers to notch multiple 1,000-yard seasons with Roy Williams being the other.
He has tallied eight games with at least 10 catches and nine 100-yard receiving games (t-No. 2 on UT's all-time list) during his career and has produced five games with at least 11 receptions (there are only 10 on UT record). Shipley has caught a TD pass in 18 of his last 27 games and scored TDs in eight of 11 games this season with nine receiving TDs and two punt return TDs.
With three punt return TDs and a kickoff return for a TD (96 yards vs. Oklahoma, 2008) during his career, Shipley holds the UT record for return TDs with four and is just the fourth Longhorn to return a kickoff and a punt for a TD during a career. His three career punt return TDs are tied for first on UT's all-time list with Aaron Ross (2003-06) and Jim Moore (1971-73). Shipley averages 12.8 yards per punt return (29-for-370) and 25.4 yards per kickoff return (17-for-432) during his career. He also serves as UT's holder.
Shipley is one of the team's most active and dedicated members to community service both with team activities and individually. Each Friday before home games, the Longhorns visit the Dell Children's Medical Center, and Shipley is a constant participant, however he returns on his own for more personal visits. He also is very active in speaking before church, school and other community groups all over the state of Texas.
Having earned his undergraduate degree in kinesiology in December 2008, Shipley is currently enrolled in graduate school in the same area and holds a 3.44 GPA. He is a four-time member of UT's Athletics Director's honor roll and earned the Provost Award for a 4.0 GPA in the fall 2008 semester.
The winner of the 2009 Biletnikoff Award will be announced from the three finalists, which also include Notre Dame's Golden Tate and Bowling Green's Freddie Barnes, on Dec. 10 on the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show and the award will be presented on Feb. 13, 2010, in Tallahassee, Fla.
