Shipley succeeds in perseverance

AUSTIN - Longhorns senior wide receiver Jordan Shipley's story is best described as going from the sidelines to the end zone.

"Jordan is a wonderful role model and story for everyone who is struggling right now," head coach Mack Brown said. "Because here's a guy who I might thought should have quit."

After losing two years to injury in 2005, Shipley's future was unclear.

"Here's a guy who loses two years," Brown said. "He's got a really bad hamstring, a really banged up knee. Nothing's happening good for him."

But Shipley persevered.

"I felt like there was a reason for the things that were happening to me, and I just needed to have faith and hold on and work hard, and so I never thought about quitting," Shipley said.

The "reason" would be the next four years. Colt McCoy's primary target is number five on Texas' all-time list with 158 receptions, and has the second highest touchdown total in Longhorns history with 21.

"He's never going to quit," McCoy said. "He's not that type of guy. He's going to fight and fight and fight til the end. I think that he's earned a lot of respect from our teammates, from our coaches, and it's starting to pay off for sure."

Brown agrees.

"He's just done wonderfully," he said. "You have to give him credit for the attitude, for the toughness, for the perseverance, but now he's one of the best players in the country."

After being granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, Shipley is using it to his advantage. He's third in the country with nine catches a game, and says he appreciates the extra time.

"I think it's definitely a gift," Shipley said. "I've felt like it is such a blessing for me to get back here for one more year. This has been such a fun place and the people are great. It's been really fun to be a part of that and I'm so thankful and I really feel like it was a gift and a blessing to get to be back for one more year."