The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Shipley taken 84th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals
04.23.2010 | Football
April 23, 2010
MB-TF Draft Q&A | What they're saying: Jordan Shipley | Bengals press conference transcript
Texas WR Jordan Shipley was taken with the 84th overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft on Friday.
Shipley will reunite with former WR teammate Quan Cosby in Cincinnati and was the fourth Longhorn chosen in the 2010 draft, giving Texas at least four selections for the fifth consecutive year and seven of the last eight.
"I don't think he gets the credit for his toughness, his decision-making and his speed that he deserves," head coach Mack Brown said. "He's a really good football player and he shows that week after week. His consistency is just amazing. He was a Biletnikoff Award finalist and broke just about every record at Texas. Not only that, Jordan is one of the best kick and punt returners in the country and one of the best of all time for us. He gave us a chance to score every time he touched it."
Shipley becomes the first Longhorn to be drafted by Cincinnati since S Lance Gunn in seventh round in 1993. Overall seven Longhorns have been drafted by the Bengals in their history. In addition to Cosby, Shipley will also join former Texas RB Cedric Benson in Cincinnati.
"Jordan's best quality is his work ethic," receivers coach Bobby Kennedy said. "Every day he came out to practice and he practiced like it was going to be a game. I think he'll be very prepared when he gets to the next level, because he knows what it takes to compete and practice at a high level. The thing that I'm most excited about for him is that you look at if people can play him in the slot or play him outside. I think he can do a wide variety of things, also special teams. I think he's a really complete guy. He's been fun to coach because he takes a workman approach every day."
Shipley is the fifth Texas WR to be drafted in the Mack Brown era and the second in the last three years after Limas Sweed was chosen in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Shipley is a two-time All-American and was tabbed a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (nation's top wide receiver) and a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (nation's top player) in 2009. He has played in 53 career games, starting 35 and posted 248 receptions (No. 1 on UT's all-time list) for 3,191 yards (No. 2 on UT's all-time list) (12.9 ypc) and 33 TDs (No. 2 on UT's all-time list) and 16 carries for 162 yards (10.8 ypc) during his career. He also returned 30 punts for 375 yards (12.5 ypr) and three TDs and 19 kickoffs for 468 yards (24.6 ypr) and one TD. His 12.5 ypr average on punts ranks fourth on UT's all-time list. He also posted 4,196 all-purpose yards (No. 8 on UT's all-time list).
Shipley started all 14 games in 2009 and was a consensus first-team All-America selection. He set UT single-season records for receptions (116) and receiving yards (1,485) and tied for first with 13 TDs. He also returned 24 punts for 311 yards (13.0 ypr/14th NCAA/No. 9 on UT's single-season list) and two TDs and averaged 133.6 all-purpose yards per game (44th NCAA). His 8.3 receptions per game ranked fifth nationally and his 106.1 receiving yards per game was sixth.
