Rutgers lands 2023 New York quarterback Ajani Sheppard
Rutgers Football has added another recruit to their class of 2023 aka the CHOP23 recruiting class today as quarterback Ajani Sheppard has announced via social media following a visit to Piscataway on Saturday.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound dual-threat quarterback is the Scarlet Knights 18th high school commitment so far this recruiting cycle.
"I flipped to Rutgers last night," Sheppard told TKR. "It really came down to a dream I had since I was younger. I've always wanted to play power five quarterback and compete at the high level. I was given a chance to do so and I just knew I had to take it."
Sheppard is an Iona Prep School product out of New Rochelle, New York and has already connected with a few of the other Empire State commits.
“I’ve been speaking to Ian Strong and Dylan Braithwaite,” said Sheppard. “They have been telling me about Big Ten football and how I have a chance to come in and help change the program around to become a powerhouse. They also told me they really believe in coach (Greg) Schiano’s vision of what he has planned.”
Now the Scarlet Knights don’t currently have an Offensive Coordinator after firing Sean Gleeson midseason, but Schiano assured Shepard he is working on that.
“Coach Schiano has told me that he has interviewed four guys plus coach Nunz (Campanile),” Sheppard mentioned. “ He said that whoever he hires is going to be a dual threat guy who going to develop a system that fits his quarterback.”
This past season as a senior, Sheppard threw for 2,393 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Raiders. He also ran the ball quite a bit, finishing with 142 carries for 1,291 yards and 11 rushing scores and even caught one pass for 20 yards too.
Prior to his senior season, Ajani also had a big 2021 season as a junior where he earned 2021 MaxPreps Player Of The Year for the state of New York.
Stay tuned for more on the Rutgers Football recruiting right here on The Round Table message board.