Through the first three games of the 2025 season, one thing has become abundantly clear:
Jordan Shipp has emerged as Gio Lopez's favorite target.
In fact, Shipp already surpassed his freshman year production and is on pace to absolutely demolish his previous season's stat line. He already has 10 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns on the season, as he found the end zone twice in the UNC football program's blowout victory over Richmond on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill.
After the game, Shipp spoke to the media and was asked about his connection with Lopez, his new quarterback. The Charlotte, North Carolina native went in-depth with his answer, indicating that their bond is "a lot deeper than football."
"I feel like the biggest thing with us is just trust. I trust him, he trusts me.
There's times in practice where like he throws me some balls that maybe he shouldn't technically throw, but he just trusts me. I'm able to go make plays for him. And I feel like that really starts with just like our connection off the field. That's one of my closest friends, one of my best friends, like I talked to the most, my family knows his family.
I talked to his family this morning and last night in the hotel. I spent some time down there with him. Was able just to chop it up with them. And that's like a brother to me. So I know he wouldn't put me in any bad, predicaments or situations. So I know if the ball's in the air, he's trusted me to go get it.
And I feel like if I would let him down, I would be letting him down. And also the rest of the UNC family. So I feel like our connection is really like a lot deeper than football."
Even though Lopez didn't arrive to campus until after spring practices concluded, it didn't take long for the quarterback-wide receiver duo to form a strong connection. It has been mentioned previously that Shipp has put in extra work to build chemistry with not only Lopez, but all of the UNC football program's quarterbacks, making sure that the guys throwing the football know that he's there ready to make plays for them.
When No. 7 drops back to pass, it's certain that he's looking to get the ball in No. 1's hands. They've created a bond where they are heavily connected on and off the field, one that should benefit the UNC football program moving forward.