Will Shipley - Pass Catching Back with Upside From Clemson
Age 21
Height 5'11
Weight 210
College Clemson
40 Time – 4.42 Unofficial.
Hype:
Shipley emerges as a somewhat electrifying talent in the field, dazzling with his natural hands-catching ability and exceptional agility. His expertise in the passing game and unparalleled vision make him a formidable force, especially in open spaces. His knack for creating mismatches against linebackers and his proficiency in the screen game highlight him as a versatile and dynamic player. ESPN College Gameday analyst David Pollack once compared Shipley to 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, but that was maybe a bit heavy handed.
Running Report:
Shipley exhibits impressive quick feet and commendable straight-line speed. He's developing a more patient approach as a runner, skillfully following his guards and making sharp decisions on his cuts. His stop-start capability in congested areas, coupled with outstanding balance and lateral agility, enables him to carve out significant yardage in seemingly impossible situations.
Strengths:
1. Passing Game Prowess: Shipley shines in the passing game, displaying quick turn-ups in the screen game and an innate sense for wheel routes.
2. Agility and Balance: His lateral agility, balance, and body control are exceptional, helping him navigate through traffic effortlessly.
3. Vision and Speed: He demonstrates excellent vision and an explosive burst once he plants his foot, threatening big plays.
4. Receiving Skills: Highly effective in the passing game, he can flex out as a receiver, creating mismatches and excelling in screen plays.
5. Instinctive Running: Shipley's instinctive style allows him to elude defenders easily, particularly on the perimeter where his acceleration and speed are most effective.
Weaknesses:
1. Limited Overpowering Ability: His speed and athleticism may not be overwhelming enough to dominate opposing defensive backs.
2. Perimeter Focus: Shipley's play style is predominantly perimeter-oriented, limiting his versatility.
3. Physical Build: With a slighter build for a running back, he may struggle to gain yardage between tackles due to a lack of power and a relatively high pad level.
4. Ball Control Issues: Shipley will need to work on his ball control if he is to become a feature back in the NFL. He's put the ball on the turf quite a few times through his collegiate career.
College Stats
YEAR ATT YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD
2023 CLEM 167 827 5 5 31 244 7.9 2
2022 CLEM 210 1182 5.6 15 38 242 6.4
2021 CLEM 149 739 5 11 16 116 7.3
Player Comparisons
Floor - Isiah Spiller
Mid - Alexander Mattison
Ceiling - Dalvin Cook
He should be a day 2 pick with a chance to catch on as a secondary back.
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