RonnieShields

Primarily a tight end but also has the speed to play wide receiver … Plenty of opportunity to earn playing time at tight end this season following the graduation of four tight ends … Has continued to add size in the weight room … Has played in 25 games with seven starts.

2013 (Junior): Played in seven games with two starts … Made one reception for seven yards vs. Louisville.
2012 (Sophomore): Played in 11 games, starting five … Caught nine passes for 68 yards … Best game was two catches for 22 yards, including a career-long reception of 17 yards, in the win over Kent State.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in seven games … Caught two passes for 10 yards, with both catches coming vs. Florida.
2010 (Freshman): Redshirted … Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week for the Western Kentucky University game.
High School: Combined good size with notable athletic ability … Has been timed as fast as 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash … Played tight end, although his athleticism could make him a possible slot receiver as well … Only began playing football his junior year of high school, so he has a lot of upside … Has good hands, although he played in a run-based offense and did not have a large number of receptions … Caught 14 passes as a senior, several of which went for touchdowns … First-team all-county and all-region … Helped lead Stephenson to an 11-1 record and the second round of the state playoffs … Coached by Ron Gartrell … “Ronnie is an all-around athlete,” Gartrell said. “He blocks extremely well and has the ability to catch the ball.” … Teammate of current Wildcat Jabari Johnson and former Cat Raymond Sanders … The nation’s No. 70 tight end prospect.
Personal: Born in Los Angeles, Calif. … Son of Ron and Victoria Shields … Major is kinesiology.
Community Cats: Worked at the Big Blue U Move-In (2011, `12) … Helped with the Birmingham Boys and Girls Club football clinic (2011).
Ronnie Says … If I could trade places with any athlete, it would be: Jimmy Graham … I couldn’t live without my: family … My favorite part of game day is: the first kickoff … My hidden talent is: juggling … What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Chase your dreams or end up working for someone who did.