2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Will Shipley

Prospect Summary:

With Travis Etienne moving on to the NFL, Shipley stepped in and was the lead back for the Tigers. Shipley had a solid debut in 2021, averaging 5.0 yards per carry for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2022, he averaged 5.6 yards per carry for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also showed impressive receiving ability that season with 38 receptions for 242 yards. During 2023, Shipley averaged 5.0 yards per carry for 827 yards and five scores. He made 31 catches for 244 yards and two scores as well.

As a runner, there is a lot to like about Shipley. He possesses a nice combination of traits like vision, elusiveness, and quick feet. The elusiveness can be seen with how he cuts around tacklers, spins away, and dodges tacklers using shifty moves. His short, compact build adds to his elusiveness because defenders have a hard time grabbing a hold of him. His quality vision lets him see holes about to open, find cut-back lanes, and read the flow of defenses behind his blockers. Shipley’s quick feet are great for cutting on a dime and provide him with excellent balance. He is not the biggest of backs, so running through contact and breaking tackles could be challenges at the pro level.

Shipley is well-suited for the passing-driven NFL as he is a natural receiving back. He runs good routes out of the backfield and has soft hands. There is no doubt that Shiley can be a weapon as a receiver. Using his soft hands, Shipley is a natural at catching the ball. He is elusive in the open field and can rip off yards in chunks. Shipley is too quick and shifty for linebackers or safeties to cover in man, so he provides an excellent mismatch option and will be a third-down receiving problem in the NFL.

Shipley looks like a mid-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. He could be a solid No. 2 back as a pro.