The Eagles chosen operating again Will Shipley with the 127th general choose within the 2024 NFL Draft. Philadelphia acquired this choose, sending Houston a 2024 fourth-round choose (No. 123 general) in alternate for a 2024 fourth-round choose (No. 127 general) and a 2025 fifth-round choose.
“I am stepping into there and I’ll work my butt off and do what I am advised,” mentioned Shipley in his first press convention as an Eagle, “in order that I can simply proceed to realize the respect of my teammates and my coaches.”
Shipley (5-11, 206 kilos) is a flexible operating again who will be explosive as a runner, a cross catcher, and a kick returner. He spent three years at Clemson, tallying 3,249 complete yards of offense and 34 complete touchdowns. The 21-year-old was the lead kick returner for Clemson, racking up 904 return yards and averaging 26.6 yards per kick return throughout his faculty profession.
In 2023, the Weddington, North Carolina native was the primary Energy 5 participant since Christian McCaffrey (2014-16) to have 2,500+ dashing yards, 500+ receiving yards, and 900+ kickoff return yards in a three-season span. This got here a yr after Shipley grew to become the primary Energy 5 participant to have 1,150+ dashing yards, 200+ receiving yards, and 300+ kickoff return yards in a season since new teammate Saquon Barkley in 2017.
“Will has distinctive expertise that makes him particular from the remainder as a result of not solely can he run the rock, however he’s a man you possibly can transfer throughout the sphere,” mentioned Clemson Operating Backs Coach C.J. Spiller. “He brings particular groups worth, so I do know he may have a direct impression. They’re getting a five-star individual. His management expertise are what set him aside from everybody else and I do know the whole constructing and neighborhood will love him.”
The fourth-round choose heard from Barkley simply minutes after getting drafted by the Eagles. Shipley admired Barkley’s sport rising up, following him at Penn State and through his first six seasons within the league. “Get able to work” was the message from Barkley, who signed with the Eagles as a free agent on March 14.
Shipley can also be conversant in the Metropolis of Brotherly Love. His older brother, James, performs on the College of Pennsylvania lacrosse group. He and his household have spent loads of time in Philadelphia.
“When the decision got here by way of from Philadelphia, I couldn’t have been extra ecstatic,” Shipley mentioned. “I’m up there on a regular basis catching as lots of his video games as I can, and I’ve gained a love for the Metropolis of Philly. It couldn’t be a greater spot for my household. I am able to get to work and couldn’t be extra proud to be a Philadelphia Eagle.”
