Iona Prep class of 2023 quarterback Ajani Sheppard has flipped from Old Dominion to Rutgers, he told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. A 6-2, 230-pound three-star (ESPN) from New Rochelle, N.Y., Sheppard pledged to the Big Blue on June 27, but now favors Rutgers where he will sign next month after being wooed by Greg Schiano and staff during a quiet trip to Piscataway last Wednesday.
“It was a tough decision between Rutgers and ODU,” Sheppard told NJ Advance Media. “And it ultimately came down to: It’s always been a goal of mine since I was a kid to be a Power Five quarterback and I had the chance to so I took it.”
Sheppard arrived on campus that day with family in tow, sat in on team meetings and watched practice. Then, interim offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile broke down Sheppard’s senior film alongside the senior, and as well as film of Rutgers’ season-ending opponent, before the quarterback met with his soon-to-be next head coach in his office.
Schiano is high on Sheppard who boasts the physical tools and intangibles that Schiano finds key in a quarterback. He’s a dual-threat who can run and has a strong arm and who places the ball well. Ultimately, Sheppard is raw with tools to develop. He’s also smart and a “football guy.”
Rutgers has tracked the strapping passer all season long and he’s been on Schiano’s radar since his junior year. Ex-offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson went to Iona Prep to watch Sheppard throw last spring, and Sheppard returned the favor last week, resulting in his first Power Five offer and budding Big Ten career.
“The coaches said whoever they bring in is going to be a dual-threat and they aren’t going to bring someone in who doesn’t fit that philosophy,” Sheppard explained.
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Sheppard is familiar with class of 2023 Rutgers commits Ian Strong and Dylan Braithwaite, who also hail from New York. The team’s struggles at quarterback has opened the door for high school recruits, and, potentially, players from the transfer portal, to be evaluated on a player-by-player basis. The class ranks 55th in the 247 Sports composite which averages the recruit ratings of the top football recruiting networks.
Sheppard picked Rutgers over Old Dominion, UConn, Air Force, Navy, Bowling Green and eight FCS schools. He threw for 2,393 yards and 21 TDs (to only six INTs), completing 62 percent of his passes as a senior this fall. He also ran the ball 142 times for 1,291 yards and 12 additional scores.
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Todderick Hunt may be reached at thunt@njadvancemedia.com.
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