 "Photo: N/A")
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Every team has that one player who opponents feel has been around forever.
For Texas, that player is undoubtedly wide receiver Jordan Shipley.
Shipley is now in his sixth year of eligibility after redshirting in 2004 and receiving a medical hardship for the 2005 season.
Fans have likely heard enough about Shipley and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy’s relationship as roommates and friends to last them a lifetime.
But even players such as OSU running back Keith Toston said they can’t believe Shipley is still around.
“He’s definitely been there since I’ve been (at OSU),” Toston said. “I actually hadn’t watched him too much before the last couple of weeks, and I actually thought he had graduated, but he didn’t.”
For the Cowboys, the longtime player might not be quite as clear-cut, but Big 12 teams will rejoice when they no longer have to stare down cornerback Perrish Cox on kick coverage.
Since the moment he took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown as a true freshman in 2006, Cox has affected the way every team approaches the Cowboys.
But Cox has moved past the “kick return specialist” label and has made a name for himself as one of the top defensive backs both in the Big 12 and in the nation.
Cox, who leads the NCAA with two passes defended per game, said he felt he had to take on the role of being one of the team’s leaders.
“I had to show everybody by example for the younger players,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of young players at corner this year and all over the defensive side of the ball.
“Then I got tired of people saying, ‘He’s just a special teams guy.’ I get tired of hearing that.”
Linebacker Andre Sexton said Cox has always had the capability of being a top-notch corner, but has finally lived up to that potential.
“I know he has done a lot more studying film and just taking it to that next level that he needs to better his game,” Sexton said.
If Cox wants to prove he can play on Sundays, he will certainly have the chance to go up against NFL-caliber receiving talent on Saturday, defensive coordinator Bill Young said.
“(Shipley) is a very exceptional player,” Young said. “He will obviously be a high round draft choice. If you’re going to slow Texas down, you better slow him down.”
Like Cox, Shipley got his start at Texas mainly on special teams. But it didn’t take long for him to become Colt McCoy’s No. 1 receiving option.
“He’s a talented, fast, go-to receiver,” Cox said. “I know Texas depends on him a lot. We’ve just got to cover that and play ball.”
Shipley also has two punt returns for touchdowns this season.
Cox said he tends to notice other teams’ special teams and players’ return abilities when watching games.
“I watch how other teams do it and (Shipley) is a good return guy, also,” Cox said. “This season says a lot for his special teams game. He has come up a lot in it.”
But while Cox and Shipley battle against their opponents’ kick coverage, they will also line up head-to-head on most plays.
Young said it’s a luxury having a shutdown cornerback to toss out against one of the top receivers in the country.
“I’m sure there will be times where he is lined up on him,” Young said. “We obviously feel really good about Perrish and think he is having a tremendous season.”
While the competition between Cox and Shipley heats up and Oklahoma State attempts to beat the Longhorns for the first time since 1997, Sexton said there is a sense of urgency.
“This has to be the year for us to beat Texas,” he said. “I don’t think I can get that sixth year like Shipley did and become that extra-old man.”
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