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So You've Signed Don Shumpert: A New Owner's Guide

Congratulations! You've just made the wonderful decision to sign Don Shumpert! Like most new Shumpert owners, you're no doubt filled with questions about your new family member. We here at BHGP will try our best to answer any questions you might have.

By PlannedSickDays
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

ANOTHER HAWKEYE SENIOR WILL GET A CHANCE TO TRYOUT FOR AN NFL TEAM.

WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT DON SHUMPERT? He was a three-star prospect (Rivals) from Hazelwood East, St.. Louis, Missouri, and part of Iowa's 2010 recruiting class. He was considered an "athlete" as a prospect and had offers from Minnesota and Illinois.

He started his Iowa career on special teams. He was a safety prospect to start and showed a knack for getting to the ball carrier on the kickoff team. He'd continue to be a gunner on the kickoff team until his senior season where he played a larger role as a receiver.

As a receiver, he was a better blocker than catcher. He first earned time as a starter in early 2012 but lost his spot after a few costly drops in early games. He'd resume his role on special teams. In 2013, his progressed again up the depth chart and played his best football the last half of the season. He was a two-time academic all-Big Ten honoree.

WHAT DID HE DO THAT WAS SO GREAT? Shumpert was a physical wide receiver. As previously mentioned, he was an excellent blocker on the outside and was Iowa's best blocking wide receiver the last two seasons.

He struggled with pass catching but stuck with it and progressed to an important piece of the offense towards the end of 2013. After not playing against Northwestern, Shumpert would haul in at least one catch in each of Iowa's final five games and total 120 yards.

STATS:

YEAR GAMES REC YARDS YDS/REC LONG TD YDS/GAME
2010 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 10 6 29 4.8 12 0 2.9
2013 12 15 182 12.1 35 0 15.2
TOTAL 30 21 211 10.0 35 0 7.0

HOW ARE HIS PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES? Shumpert has a skinny lower half that never developed while at Iowa. There's a reason everyone can't be a body builder. It's genetics. Those skinny legs can fly though. He was one of, if not the fastest Hawkeye on the roster the last couple of seasons. He burned up a fast track at Iowa's Pro Day.

PRO DAY RESULTS:

HIGHLIGHTS:

WHAT ABOUT THE BAD? Catching the football is an important part of the receiver position. That's also the part Shumpert struggled with the most. He often leaves his feet when it's not necessary and catches the ball with his body instead of his hands.

He did get better as he gained confidence but drops were an issue. He might have been a better safety than receiver but his genetics limit his ability to put on bulk.

WAS THIS A GOOD FREE AGENT PICK UP? There's a movie based on a life story of a Philadelphia Eagles fan that went to a team tryout and eventually made the team as a gunner on the kickoff team. The movie is Invincible and the football player's name is Vince Papale.

If there's a need for a guy that runs a sub-4.40 40-yard dash and can make a big hit on a kick returner, Shumpert's your guy. He spent three seasons on Iowa's special teams and has plenty of experience getting after it.

DOES OUR NEW ADDITION HAVE A TWITTER ACCOUNT?

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