Will Shipley has a comparison in mind. Or, at least, the 2021 running back knows the comp he wants other people to make.
Christian McCaffrey. “Since he was at Stanford,” Shipley told GoVols247 on Sunday, “I’ve always absolutely loved his game. How humble he is. That’s kind of how I model myself.” The numbers are already there. At the NFL Combine leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft, McCaffrey ran a 4.48-second 40. He had a 37.5-inch vertical and a 4.22-second time in the 20-yard shuttle.
At The Opening regional Sunday in Charlotte, Shipley was clocked at 4.46 seconds in the 40, recorded a 36.3-inch vertical and had a time of 4.21 seconds in the agility drill. McCaffrey measured at the combine at 5-foot-11, 202 pounds. Shipley is 5-11, too, and only four pounds lighter. McCaffrey was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Shipley lives just down the road, attending Weddington High School in Matthew, N.C. And yes, Tennessee knows all about him.
“During the last open period, Coach (Chris) Weinke came in about three or four times,” Shipley said. “I got to talk to him a lot. I was supposed to go over there during spring break but the times just didn’t match up. “This review period just started,” Shipley added, “and I know coaches weren’t really in town. So I didn’t get a chance to make it up there, but I’m definitely going to get up there soon.”
Shipley is the No. 44 overall player in the 2021 class according to the 247Sports ratings. He’s ranked No. 4 among all-purpose backs and is the No. 2 overall prospect out of North Carolina. On Sunday he took home MVP honors among the running backs at The Opening regional. He has 17 known offers, including the likes of Arkansas, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon, South Carolina, Stanford, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All the local schools are there, too, with North Carolina, North Carolina State and Duke all after him.
While his stock continues to climb, Shipley knows what the Vols are selling. “They’re turning around the program,” Shipley said. “They’ve gotten some of the best recruits in the 2019 class. They’re going to have a good 2020 class. “They just want to keep adding to that. And it can be something special.” Shipley has recently visited Northwestern, Duke, North Carolina State and South Carolina. Next on his list: A June 7 trip to Stanford. “Take a little break after that,” Shipley said, “and look into any other schools that pop up during the review period.” And keep modeling his game after McCaffrey. “I guess I just kind of always ran faster than most,” Shipley said. “But I’ve always got in the back of my mind that I want to be the fastest kid. That’s just how I am. I want to be the best at everything I do.”
yes please.
