MARCEL SHIPP
By: Dave-Te' Thomas

#5-MARCEL SHIPP University of Massachusetts Minutemen 5:10.6-216

ANALYSIS
Positives... Powerful inside runner...Senses the crease well and drives hard with his strong legs and superb balance...Has the hip swerve to escape traffic and the vision to easily glide through inside traffic...Attacks the holes with a slashing style, generally dragging defenders to get most of his yardage after the initial hit...Very creative runner who always keeps his feet moving forward...Has excellent concentration, always making sure to secure the ball...Shows the flexibility to be split out as a receiver in third down situations...Makes good body adjustments getting to the short pass in traffic...Strong blocker who is effective at picking up the blitz.

Negatives... More quick than fast, lacking that explosive outside burst...Takes awhile to get in gear, as he does not have that quick first step to the holes, lacking that sudden burst...Needs to upgrade his strength and does not possess the juking moves to escape defenders trying to turn the corner.

CAREER NOTES
One of the most decorated athletes in UMass annals...Finished his career as the sixth-ranked all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division 1-AA annals with 5383 yards (regular season only)...Ran for over 100 yards 33 times during his career, including seven 200-yard performances, setting a school record with a string of 19 consecutive 100-yard efforts...Holds the school's career-records with 1215 carries for 6250 yards, 58 touchdowns rushing, 378 points scored and 7759 all-purpose yards...Ranks second in UMass annals with 126 receptions and third with 6250 yards in total offense...Became only the sixth player in college football history to rush for over 6000 yards and gain over 1000 yards receiving in a career...His 6250 yards rushing broke the Atlantic Ten Conference career-record of 6193 yards by New Hampshire's Jerry Azumah (1995-98).

REMIND ME OF... Green Bay's Dorsey Levens.

GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... Some teams are wondering if Marcel has carried the ball too much during his college career and has nothing left for the pros. Injuries hampered him in 2000 (ankle), but he redeemed himself during Hula Bowl practices. Too bad practically no team decision-maker attended the Hula Bowl to see it. Like Levens, he will be overlooked for awhile on draft day, but I still feel that he has enough gas left in his tank to get the job done.

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