Ajani Sheppard couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play at Rutgers, so says the New York quarterback who committed to the Big Ten program on Tuesday morning.
The class of 2023 quarterback is coming off a strong senior season where he threw for 2,393 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Iona Prep finished the season 9-3.
Sheppard had been a commit to Old Dominion University but when the Rutgers offer came in this month, he knew he needed to act on it. On Tuesday, Sheppard committed to the program and head coach Greg Schiano.
He says that he is 100 percent committed and his recruitment is shut down.
“It ultimately came down to what I’ve wanted since I was younger,” Sheppard told Rutgers Wire on Tuesday.
“I have always wanted to have a chance to be a starting Power Five quarterback and this was my chance so I couldn’t waste the opportunity because I think if I didn’t take it I would regret it for the rest of my life.
“I chose Rutgers because of the level of competition and I believe in coach Schiano’s vision.”
Rutgers is set to enter its fourth season of a rebuild under Schiano. The program is in transition with the release of offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson mid-season. In his place, Nunzio Campanile was named the interim offensive coordinator.
Schiano has not indicated if Campanile will remain as the offensive coordinator or if there will be an outside hire.
“I feel good about it,” Sheppard said about the situation with the Rutgers offensive coordinator position.
“Coach Schiano told me he has only interviewed guys that are a dual-threat type of offensive coordinators and are going to be comfortable with their quarterbacks.
Sheppard also said the offensive identity is something he talked about with Schiano.
“He wants us to be be able to pound the ball be a threat to throw it as well,” Sheppard said.
“(To) be a complete, balanced attack on offense.”
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