Marble Falls junior Hanner Shipley commits to play football at LSU
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — Marble Falls High School junior Hanner Shipley on Jan. 8 committed to play football at Louisiana State University.
His father, Stephen Shipley, said the reason his son chose LSU was because of a visit the two of them made in the fall and of the relationship he built with tight ends coach Steve Ensminger.
“Ever since (Hanner) started playing tight end, he noticed not a lot of schools use tight ends,” Stephen Shipley said. “He really liked coach Ensminger.”
Ensminger told the Shipleys the Tigers have tight ends who are used as receivers. But they believe Hanner Shipley will be able to be both a blocking and a receiving tight end, Stephen Shipley said.
The Mustang, who played for Faith Academy in the 2013 season, stands 6 feet 5 inches and weighs about 270 pounds.
“They saw him catch the ball. They saw his passion on blocking,” Stephen Shipley said. “That’s what they’re looking for to fit in.”
The two attended the LSU-Florida game Oct. 12 and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, including the tailgating and the way LSU fans conducted themselves during the game.
UCLA also offered Shipley a scholarship, but as a lineman.
By going to LSU, Shipley will not follow in the steps of his cousins, receivers Jordan and Jaxon Shipley, who are Texas Longhorns.
Hanner Shipley has said he wants to make his own path.
jfierro@thepicayune.com
