As the later stages of the NFL draft continues, keep an eye out for Skyhawk linebacker Tevin Shipp.
Shipp, a sixth-year graduate linebacker from Smyrna, Tennessee, has been an impact player for the Skyhawks throughout their dominant OVC championship run in which they’ve won the conference four years in a row. Shipp began to see a full workload in the first year of that run in 2021 and saw it all the way through to 2024.
Speaking of 2024, that’s when Shipp took his game to the next level. Despite splitting time with two other veteran linebackers, Jaylon Sharpe and Chris Hunter, Shipp managed to stand out and make plays all over the field—something Shipp could see coming since the summer.
“He (head coach Jason Simpson) let me know ‘look man, you got to play a little better, and I’d hurt my shoulder in the spring season, so I didn’t get as many reps as I wanted to,” Shipp says. “(but) going into our summer camp that’s when I could kind of tell stuff was starting to click really well for me and that I think I’ll have a really good season if I keep playing at the intensity that I am.”
That “really good season” included 80 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions—all of which were career highs.
Joining Shipp in the box for the Skyhawks were Jaylon Sharpe and Chris Hunter Jr. Each player racked up over 78 tackles this past season and each were big factors in Shipp’s success this past season.
Similar to Hunter, who led the OVC in interceptions with five, Shipp makes a massive impact in the pass game being able to cover tight ends and running backs consistently. This is something that NFL teams are going to love, and something Shipp himself says he takes pride in.
“Without him I don’t even think I would’ve been where I was or as good of a player as I am,” said Shipp.
Shipp and Hunter both came to Martin at the same time unlike Jaylon Sharpe, who joined the program in 2022. However, when he did arrive, Sharpe brought incredible intelligence to the Skyhawk program. Shipp says he could likely coach football right now.
“I always joke with them like ‘I’m a mixture of both of y’all’” said Shipp.
Once the season ended, Shipp turned his attention toward the NFL Draft. Two major events in the process for Shipp were The College Gridiron Showcase (CGS) and the Tennessee Titans local pro day where Shipp was able to talk to former Skyhawk teammate and current Titans wide receiver Colton Dowell.
“He (Dowell) said ‘just take this opportunity. It’s a big deal, a big honor to be here and just take every opportunity you get,’” said Shipp. “He basically told me it’d be cool to play with somebody he played with in college.”
The CGS is a showcase where players from all levels of the sport are able to present themselves to NFL scouts not just on the field, but through meetings and conversations with the scouts themselves.
With players from programs like Montana, Montana State and Florida State joining Shipp in this event, Shipp was able to show NFL teams that he can not only hang with these players, but excel against them. Shipp especially showed out in coverage in 7-on-7 and 1-on-1 drills where his athleticism and coverage ability could stand out.
“It’s definitely something I take pride in,” said Shipp. “I always knew I could cover…that’s something you get with a linebacker in me. I’m 6’2, 240, I have the size, but I’m also very fast, I can cover side to side and be able to plug gaps and I can cover routes over the middle.”
Along with the Titans, Shipp has met with teams like the Colts and Chiefs, who have continued to show interest in him throughout the process.
“I don’t know where I’m going to fall, where I’m going to end up or how it’s going to go, but I’m just enjoying the journey,” said Shipp.
As the draft process continues, keep an eye out for this Skyhawk and others along with him as they reach for their dreams from UT Martin.
