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 Catch the fever Florida's corps of young receivers star in spring game
Posted: Saturday April 10, 1999 09:13 PM
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Steve Shipp caught three passes for 94 yards as Florida's highly touted receiver class of 1997 showed signs of being ready to emerge in the Gators' annual spring football game Saturday. Shipp combined with fellow sophomore Brian Haugabrook and juniors Darrell Jackson and Travis Taylor to catch 11 passes for 267 yards as the Blue team beat the Orange 41-10. "The receivers have done well this spring," Florida coach Steve Spurrier said. "They're coming around. Steve Shipp obviously had his biggest day as a Gator so far." Shipp, a 1997 Parade All-American with just one career catch for minus-4 yards, used all three receptions to set up scores as the Blue team scored the game's first 24 points. "I haven't had fun like that in a few years," Shipp said. "Everybody knew I could catch the football; I just didn't do it. I showed I could still do it. Don't forget about old Shipper. He's still here." Florida's 1997 receiving class widely was regarded as the best in the nation, but Shipp and Haugabrook struggled as freshmen and saved a year of eligibility by redshirting. Taylor and Jackson, meanwhile, combined for just five catches and 64 yards in limited action two years ago. The duo received more playing time last year but were overshadowed by Travis McGriff's record-setting season. McGriff caught 70 passes, seven more than Taylor and Jackson combined, for a school-record 1,357 yards. Now Taylor is gone and all four receivers seem ready to take on major roles. "We're running good routes. We're not dropping passes and everyone is focused on getting better," said Jackson, who scored the first two touchdowns Saturday. "There was a lot of talk about us when we first came here, but I think we're finally playing like we're capable."
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