The former West Charlotte High standout did enough of that at Florida before transferring last month."I got tired of standing on the sidelines like this, with my
hands on my hips," he said.
This summer Shipp pondered transferring and made the decision to leave Florida before the Gators began fall drills. Shipp considered Virginia but didn't want to sit out
another year. By enrolling at Division I-AA A&T, the redshirt junior is eligible to play immediately. Shipp is the third West Charlotte graduate to transfer to A&T in the
past year, joining receiver Romando North (East Carolina) and quarterback Keith Matkins (South Carolina).
"I've been playing football since I was 6 years old and I
wasn't used to riding the pine," he said. "I knew I wouldn't have to worry about a quarterback because Matkins was here."
After three weeks with the Aggies, Shipp is still trying to
earn significant playing time and learn a new offense.
"It's one thing to be on the field because I got on the field at Florida and the reason I didn't get
more playing time there is behind me now," he said. "It's not where I came from, it's where I am now, and that's A&T. I can't get cocky about being a former Florida receiver. I'm trying
to grasp a whole new offense. I'm trying to pick up speed outs and simple stuff. I run routes to get open and I'm going to catch the ball. I'll stay within the schme of the offense so the
quarterback will know I'll be there."
A&T coach Bill Hayes, who is trying to mix more passing into the Aggies' offense, says Shipp
can be a game-breaker once he learns the offense. After a couple of weeks familiarizing himself with Hayes' schemes, Shipp gets his first major test Saturday against Hampton at Aggie Stadium.
"We're going to do some things with Steve Shipp this week that are very special," Hayes said. "When we got him, his hand was broke and he had to learn the offense. We expect him to do
some big things and make some great catches and hope he can lead us to a ranking if we can get a win over Hampton this week."
Shipp, who played in only two series in the loss to Elon, said the defeat was a bitter pill to swollow. As he becomes more in tune with the offense, Shipp sees himself becoming more of a factor.
"I didn't come here to sit, I came here to play and make a contribution," he said. "I hope to start this week against Norfolk. I've never taken a beating like I did today and it doesn't set well.
"A&T has talent and if we can get the discipline and fundamentals down, we'll be OK."
