Football: Iona Prep stars Moultrie-Goddard, Sheppard, Martin are all Division I bound
NEW ROCHELLE - The idea to coordinate college commitments is nothing new in the age of social media, but Iona Prep football coach Joe Spagnolo saw an opportunity. When he broached it with three of his returning stars, they didn't take much convincing.
"I think it just came down to our timelines matching up with each other," senior quarterback Ajani Sheppard said. "So we just decided to do it all in one week."
Zyian Moultrie-Goddard made his decision last Wednesday. Capri Martin followed suit Friday, then Sheppard announced his decision Monday.
"It was special because we grew up together," Martin said. "We've known each other since we were 12. It's good to know we succeeded and reached our goals."
Below is a breakdown of Iona Prep's latest commits. The trio will follow in the footsteps of 24 other former Gaels, who are now Division I rosters.
High school football: Iona Prep earns validation, romping to first CHSFL title in 13 years
Capri Martin, Villanova
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Martin is a defensive lineman entering his third season as a varsity starter. The Bridgeport resident is already a three-time heavyweight champion wrestler and was named fifth-team all-state as a junior.
Martin earned offers from Temple, Navy, Air Force, Holy Cross and Lafayette as well, but said his decision hinged on Villanova vs. Army.
"I picked Villanova because it was a better fit for me," Martin said. "They play the same defense as Iona. It's very similar to Iona so it was a better fit."
Martin said he expects to play inside at tackle, adding that his combination of size, quickness, speed and strength were his best attributes.
Zyian Moultrie-Goddard, Syracuse
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound inside linebacker, who joined the Gaels' varsity as a freshman at midseason, was among the program's most coveted players in the last two decades. He earned 18 offers, including recent offers from the likes of Buffalo, UMass, UConn, Miami of Ohio, Dartmouth, Columbia, Army, Navy and Air Force, plus interest from Tennessee, Arizona State and other high-major programs.
Moultrie-Goddard was the leader of the defense for last year's city and Catholic state champs, earning first-team all-state honors, and will enter the fall as a three-year captain. In the end, he picked Syracuse over West Virginia.
"I liked Syracuse because it wasn't too far from home and my parents can make it to all my games," the Harlem resident said. "I liked the family feel when I was there. I feel like I fit into their defense really well."
The Orange had been among the first to recruit Moultrie-Goddard — starting prior to him making an impact on the varsity.
"At the end it was between West Virginia and Syracuse," he added. "They both were two great programs with obviously a great history. They were both schools I would have liked to be a part of."
Ajani Sheppard, Old Dominion
In just one year as a starter, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Sheppard made a major impact. He earned state player of the year awards, was lohud's Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year, and was named CHSFL Player of the Year. He led the Gaels to city and state titles while becoming the first quarterback in Westchester County history to compile 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in the same season.
Now, Sheppard has another honor: He's the first quarterback at a Westchester school to commit to an FBS program since Lincoln's Nealon Greene (Clemson) in 1994.
"I think it just shows I'm a hard worker," said Sheppard, whose older brother, Qaadir, played defensive line at Syracuse and Ole Miss. "I'm resilient and the people around me have really helped me."
Sheppard also held offers from UConn, Army, Navy, Air Force, Delaware, Richmond and Monmouth, but he picked Old Dominion over Bowling Green, citing the more urban environment, which reminded him of his home in the Bronx.
"Ohio's a little farther from home," he said. "I felt like I would be more comfortable in Virginia."
Josh Thomson is the Sports Editor for The Journal News and Poughkeepsie Journal. 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: Football: Iona Prep's Sheppard, Moultrie-Goddard, Martin D1 commit
