Shipley could be part of PSU’s draft parade

Jeff McLane The Philadelphia Inquirer

The letter is laminated and framed. But when A.Q. Shipley received a note of encouragement from Mike Webster almost nine years ago, little could he have known his path in football would resemble that of the Pittsburgh Steelers legend.

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Shipley, like Webster, is an undersized center. But on the eve of the NFL draft, the former Penn State all-American is considered a prospect whose natural abilities overcome his physical shortcomings.

That could mean the 6-foot-1, 304-pound Shipley will be taken as high as the second round, or it could mean he’ll drop to the fifth. If he’s chosen that late, he would be in the good company of Webster, selected by the Steelers in the fifth round of the 1974 draft. “Iron Mike” — considered small even then at 6-1, 255 pounds — went on to have a 17-year Hall of Fame career.

Shipley first met Webster when he was a freshman at Moon High, just outside Pittsburgh. Webster’s son, Garrett, was a teammate. Shipley played defensive tackle then, and after one of his breakout games, Webster sent him a letter of congratulations.

“That was pretty special for me,” Shipley said. “It means a lot now that I’m a center. He’s one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

Webster was also one of the game’s tragic figures. His post-football life was marred by drug use and brain injuries possibly caused by football. He died in 2002, homeless and downtrodden, from heart failure. Still, Shipley would consider it an honor to follow in Webster’s footsteps and play for his hometown team.

“Obviously, playing for the Steelers would mean a lot to me,” Shipley said. “My parents grew up in Pittsburgh. I was brought up to be a Steelers fan. But I know anything can happen on draft day.”

Shipley has worked out for several teams, including the Steelers and Eagles. Some are hung up on his height or his short arms — 30 inches, as opposed to the desired 32-34.

“If I was short and not strong, I think that would make a difference,” Shipley said. “But I benched (225 pounds) 33 times at the (Indianapolis) combine, and I ran one of the fastest short shuttles.”

Shipley also scored a way-above-average 40 out of 50 on the Wonderlic exam, the intelligence test used by NFL teams. He shows well on tape — he didn’t win the Rimington Award as the nation’s top collegiate center for nothing — but he’s still slotted behind California’s Alex Mack, Oregon’s Max Unger and Louisville’s Eric Wood in what is considered a deep draft for centers.

“He might be my favorite player in the entire draft,” nfl.com draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “There are times you watch tape, and a guy pops out that you weren’t expecting. Shipley was that guy for me. I don’t care that he’s too short or that his arms are too short. He understands technique, and he understands leverage.”

Shipley isn’t the only former Nittany Lion who could go in any round, if at all. Aside from defensive end Aaron Maybin, expected to go in the first round, there are wide receiver Derrick Williams, guard Rich Ohrnberger, tackle Gerald Cadogan, and wide receiver Deon Butler.

At January’s Senior Bowl, Williams seemingly solidified himself as a second-round wideout. “He showed that he could make a variety of catches and not just those bubble passes you see on a lot of his tapes,” Mayock said.

But the 6-0, 194-pound Williams ran a disappointing 4.64 40-yard dash at the combine in February, though he redeemed himself with a 4.38 at Penn State’s pro day in March. And he’s considered versatile with experience as a return man and scat back in the Wildcat, an offense pro teams are more comfortable using.

“I think I can help a team out in any formation, any play,” Williams said.

Butler, Penn State’s career leader in receptions, burned stop watches at the combine with a 4.38 40. He’s small (5-10, 182), but has great hands and would make a nice slot receiver.

Cadogan, at 6-5, 309 pounds, has bounced all over mock drafts. Ohrnberger was not invited to the Indianapolis combine, but Mayock says he thinks the 6-2, 297-pound guard will be drafted.

Eagles general manager Tom Heckert said: “We think there’s a good chance (Ohrnberger) can play center. We do like him.”

Two former Penn State defensive linemen with troubled pasts could hear their names called over the weekend.

End Maurice Evans, suspended last season after he was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana, has seen his stock plummet since leaving school a year early. Tackle Chris Baker, who spent last season at Division I-AA Hampton after he was kicked off the Lions, moves well at 6-2, 326 pounds.