With a new commitment to Rutgers, Ajani Sheppard joins exclusive club for Westchester QBs
Among Iona Prep quarterbacks of the last generation — and Westchester County quarterbacks in general — Ajani Sheppard's on-field accomplishments have landed him in a class of his own. Now, more than just numbers back up that claim.
On Tuesday, the Iona Prep senior announced he has committed to Rutgers, flipping to the Big Ten school after making a verbal pledge to Old Dominion this summer.
The decision was first reported by 247 Sports.
"It ultimately came down to what I've wanted since I was younger," said Sheppard, who will sign officially on Dec. 21. "I've always wanted to have a chance to be a starting Power 5 quarterback and this was my chance so I couldn't waste the opportunity. I think if I didn't take it I would regret it the rest of my life."
The move lands Sheppard in an exclusive club for Westchester quarterbacks.
He has become the first quarterback from the region to commit to a Power 5 program in more than 28 years. The last was Nealon Greene, who graduated from Lincoln High School in Yonkers in 1994 and went on to start for four seasons at Clemson.
"There are only about 60 kids in the country every year who get the chance to play quarterback for a Division I, Power 5-level school," Iona Prep coach Joe Spagnolo said. "This was an opportunity he just couldn't pass up."
Last year:Football: 'Satisfying' season puts Ajani Sheppard atop 2021 Westchester/Putnam All-Stars
More:Football: Iona Prep stars Moultrie-Goddard, Sheppard, Martin are all Division I bound
Sheppard, who is the younger brother of former Ole Miss and Syracuse defensive lineman Qaadir Sheppard, assumed the starting job at Iona Prep as a junior with great anticipation. He delivered on that promise, winning 20 of his 24 career starts and leading Iona Prep to city and state Catholic championships as a junior.
Sheppard was named New York's MaxPreps Player of the Year, the CHSFL Player of the Year and the Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year after last season.
The Gaels spent the first half of this season ranked No. 1 in the state again, fueled by an upset of New Jersey state finalist Don Bosco Prep behind a Sheppard-led comeback. They then reached the CHSFL championship game again this year, but lost to St. Anthony's in the final on Nov. 19.
Nonetheless, Sheppard ended his career as perhaps the most productive player in school history.
He completed 66.3% of his passes for 4,772 yards, 43 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He rushed for another 2,415 yards and 30 touchdowns while averaging 8.4 yards per carry. In his 24 starts alone, he was responsible for 7,122 total yards and 70 touchdowns.
As a junior, Sheppard also became the first quarterback in New York state history to have a 2,000-yard passing/1,000-yard rushing season, then did it again as a senior.
Sheppard's success earned him offers from UConn, Army, Navy, Air Force, Delaware, Richmond and Monmouth, but his options were limited at Power 5 programs. He originally selected Old Dominion over Bowling Green in late June. However, the allure of playing in one of college football's top conferences was too great.
Sheppard visited with members of the Rutgers coaching staff, including head coach Greg Schiano, for more than 10 hours on Friday, Spagnolo said. The school's interest in Sheppard intensified in the last several weeks, coinciding with the dismissal of offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson early last month.
"Listening to coach Schiano, his vision seemed truthful and it was something me and my dad (Ray) could get behind," Sheppard said. "He said he wants a dual-threat QB because that is what he thinks he needs to get to where they want to go. He feels like I fit that criteria to be a Big Ten starting quarterback."
The trust level with Rutgers was strong.
Upset:Football: How Iona Prep won one for New York by taking down New Jersey's No. 2 team
Spagnolo said he and members of the Gaels' staff have strong ties with several Rutgers coaches, including interim offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile and offensive line coach Augie Hoffmann, who were previously head coaches at New Jersey Catholic school powers Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph Regional. New Rochelle graduate Andrew DiRienzo, the son of Iona Prep defensive coordinator Lou DiRienzo, is also a member of Rutgers' offensive staff.
"I think they asked, 'Why weren't we offering Ajani?'" Spagnolo said. "It became fast and furious the last 72 hours or so."
During his visit, Sheppard was assured that Rutgers planned on playing a style conducive to his skillset going forward. At midseason this year, the Scarlet Knights turned to sophomore Gavin Wimsatt, a dual-threat quarterback who started their last five games.
They finished the season 4-8, including 1-8 in the Big Ten. Schiano is now 12-22 and 6-20 in conference play during his second tenure at Rutgers.
Josh Thomson is the Sports Editor for The Journal News, Poughkeepsie Journal and Middletown Times Herald-Record. He can be reached by e-mail at jthomson@lohud.com, on Twitter at @lohudinsider, and on Instagram at @lohudinsider.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Iona Prep QB Ajani Sheppard flips commitment from ODU to Rutgers
