AUSTIN, Texas — Jordan Shipley is the best football player in the country right now.
Let that marinate for a second ...
The Texas wideout is in the midst of having the best season by a receiver in school history. Shipley has emerged as one of the most dangerous returners in the college game, with a pair of punts brought back for touchdowns.
Asked if he thought Shipley was the best player in the country, Mack Brown said, "At his position, yes. There are some great players, and we haven't seen them all, but he would have my vote. He was hurt early and wasn't on the scene for two years, then last year he shared the ball with Quan (Cosby).
"I think Saturday was a big step forward for him, and the people on the national scene got a good look at what he can do."
Shipley helped save the Longhorns from near ruin in a closer-than-it-should-have-been win over Colorado. The sixth-year senior caught 11 passes for 147 yards, making an ankle-breaking double move on a second-quarter touchdown catch before scoring on a 74-yard punt return early in the final quarter.
"He's such an explosive player," said teammate Charlie Tanner. "Any time the ball is in his hands, we think he's going to score."
His numbers and the ensuing testimonials suggest a case can be made that Shipley — more than his more famous roommate Colt McCoy — is having a Heisman-worthy season.
And Shipley is gaining momentum in some circles. In ESPN.com's Heisman Experts poll, he ranks sixth in a group that includes Florida's Tim Tebow, Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen and McCoy.
No greater authority than McCoy said Shipley deserves some early Heisman love.
"Sure," McCoy said. "In our offense, Jordan will get the ball. He's playing the position that Quan played last year, and the thing that sets him up is that he can return kicks and punts."
Premature as it sounds five games into a 12-game season, Shipley is deserving of a serious look by Heisman voters, but for these three reasons, you won't see Shipley setting sail for New York come December:
1. He's not a known quantity nationally.
Shipley spent his first two seasons trying to shrug off the injury bug. His first two seasons on the field were solid, but not spectacular. It wasn't until last season, when he returned a kickoff 96 yards against Oklahoma before a national television audience, that he even popped up outside of the Big 12.
While McCoy spent the offseason on a media junket that took him to several spots, including ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Conn., Shipley was content to work out in Austin and keep a low profile. His greatest exposure came when an ESPN outdoors show shot a segment featuring him and McCoy.
And Shipley's not one to crave the spotlight. Tebow makes impassioned speeches to the media, and McCoy and Sam Bradford already have invitations to the Heisman ceremony in their respective files. Shipley is content catching passes from McCoy. He doesn't embrace celebrity. He does the interviews, not because he loves them but because they're necessary.
"He's perceived as a blue-collar guy," said UT sports information director John Bianco. "He catches a 40-yard touchdown pass and tosses the ball back to the ref. He just goes about his business."
Monday marked the first time that Shipley's presence was requested on a national conference call. He shot a segment with ESPN "GameDay" on Monday and did an ESPN radio interview Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, he appeared on ESPN's "First Take."
In the past, those gigs were usually reserved for McCoy or players like Brian Orakpo. So Shipley's visibility seems to be growing, but not at the rate where he could capture the nation's imagination like Tebow has over the last three seasons.
In any case, Shipley would just as soon be hanging out at the deer lease than getting all gussied up for some black-tie affair.
"It's a fun experience, but it's something I don't want to focus on because I don't want it to be a distraction," he said.
2. He's a wide receiver.
Before Notre Dame's Tim Brown won the Heisman Trophy in 1987, it had been 51 years since a fulltime receiver had hoisted the trophy. Notre Dame end Larry Kelley was the first to do it in 1936, but a running back or quarterback walked away with 49 of the next 50 Heismans until Brown came along.
And had he not been an awesome returner, Brown might not have that award today. His 857 yards on punt and kickoff returns were a striking visual testament to his versatility and big-play ability.
Spin ahead to Michigan's Desmond Howard, who probably is a better comparison to Shipley since he caught 61 passes for 950 yards and 19 touchdowns when he won the Heisman in 1991. He added four eye-catching return touchdowns, including a spectacular 93-yard punt return against Ohio State that ended with his famous Heisman pose.
At his current pace, Shipley will pass up Howard in receptions over the next two games, as he attempts to become the second Texas player to catch 100 passes in a season. With only three TD receptions, though, Shipley has a way to go to even come close to Howard's 19 touchdowns.
Just remember that last year, Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree caught 93 balls for 1,135 yards and 18 touchdowns, and he didn't even get invited to New York. Tough room.
3. His best friend.
Teammates haven't been invited to the Heisman ceremony since Southern Cal's Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart in 2005 (the third guy was a Longhorn named Young), and that had plenty to do with two things: USC had pulverized its competition over the 2004 and 2005 seasons, and Leinart had won the Heisman the previous year.
Assuming McCoy picks up his touchdown passing totals, and the Longhorns finish the regular season unbeaten, he will get the nod over Shipley because he has more visibility. Plus he's a quarterback. McCoy is the unquestioned face of the Texas program, while Shipley is the soft, sure hands.
"A lot of (Shipley's chances) will hinge on what he does in really big games, and that's this week," said Rivals.com writer Olin Buchanan, who has a Heisman vote.
"If he has a game like he had last year against Oklahoma, his candidacy would be greatly enhanced. The thing that works against him is if he is having a good game against a quality opponent, there is a good chance Colt McCoy is also having a good game."
So let me get this right. All Shipley needs to do is catch 11 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, plus add a 96-yard kickoff return against a desperate Sooner team? Man, these Heisman voters are tough bunch.
It's still likely the mailbox at Shipley's home will receive a Heisman invitation, but it won't be for the reason you think. Shipley lives with McCoy, whose name will probably be that of the intended recipient. Shipley says he hasn't spoken with McCoy about the Heisman. Really, all that football talent in the household and no Heisman talk, Jordan?
"Not at all," he said.
In either case, Texas' best big-play threat has a chance to make his own history by season's end.
No Texas player has ever won the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation's top receiver. Shipley would be in select company if that were to happen, with Crabtree nabbing the past two awards.
Shipley's final season at Texas won't end with a Heisman Trophy, but it's nice to be in the conversation.
Even if he isn't talking about it.
Cedric Golden writes for the Austin American-Statesman. E-mail: cgolden(at)statesman.com.