Georgia
Elite OL TJ Shanahan Jr. breaks down ‘amazing’ Georgia official and ‘indescribable’ feeling on visit
Need the newest Georgia soccer recruiting data? That’s the Intel. This has the newest with TJ Shanahan Jr. of Austin-Westlake Excessive in Texas. He’s the nation’s No. 7 IOL and the No. 140 total prospect for 2023 on the 247Sports Composite. Rivals.com has him as a 5-star because the nation’s No. 1 OG. On3.com has him because the No. 90 total prospect.
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There’s a lot to cowl concerning Texas OL prospect TJ Shanahan Jr. and what he would possibly convey to Georgia.
We’ll cowl how he felt in regards to the ‘Dawgs heading into the go to (fairly good) and popping out (even higher) of an impactful official.
But with that, the heavy guess is the DawgNation reader will recall 4 spectacular issues for a younger man who stacks 310 kilos onto a hostile 6-foot-5 body. They won’t be about affords or rankings.
- The 5-star OG (per Rivals.com) will leap rope 2,000 instances each night time. Two. thousand. Each. Evening.
- Shanahan approximated there have been 10-15 instances per recreation final fall when he blocked his man 10-to-20 yards downfield. He performed for a state championship staff within the largest class (6A) in Texas.
- “One factor I do,” he mentioned. “Ever since I began my first soccer recreation is I say a bit prayer. Whether or not it’s in my head or I get down on one knee. I all the time be sure that I say a bit prayer and speak to God earlier than I play a soccer recreation. Simply ask him to observe over me, my teammates and simply say for him to let one of the best staff win.”
- “You by no means wish to get caught on movie taking a play off or being gentle,” he mentioned. “I take that to coronary heart. Even earlier than I obtained to Westlake, it could be the loss of life of me if somebody pulled up a play of me and I used to be sort of ‘BS-ing’ it or no matter. I really feel like one factor is I identical to to go full velocity 110 p.c each play till I hear the echo of the whistle. That’s what caught with me ever since I began taking part in.”
There are rankings and projections. Then there may be the power to repeatedly power one’s will on the opponent. It’s attainable via years of preparation to be at one’s finest when their finest is required.
The Bulldogs can all the time use a participant like that on their entrance. Shanahan was the one OL on the town this weekend. He obtained numerous face time with offensive line coach Stacy Searels and his assistant Eddie Gordon.
Essentially the most enjoyable he ever had taking part in soccer was in his freshman yr.
“I drove a child down like 35 or 40 yards down the sphere,” he mentioned. “I landed on high of him and I simply keep in mind him saying ‘Bro come on are you critical? You’ve obtained me out right here trying dangerous’ and I’m like ‘I simply need to do my job out right here man’ with that.”
That’s the primary time he did something like that. It was not the final.
“I’ll always remember that,” Shanahan Jr. mentioned.
Texas offensive line prospect TJ Shanahan Jr. is ranked as a 5-star and the nation’s No. 1 offensive guard for Rivals.com. He is ranked because the No. 7 IOL and the No. 140 total recruit on the 247Sports Composite. (Courtesy picture)
Courtesy picture, Dawgnation
The background on TJ Shanahan Jr.
His mom, Mele Shanahan, is one hundred pc Polynesian. His father, Timothy James, performed offensive line in faculty for Arizona. He was a middle and lengthy snapper for the Wildcats.
His Dad was additionally a pitcher and a basketball participant. TJ mentioned there are a bunch of newspaper clippings at his Grandmother’s home highlighting his Dad throwing no-hitters arising.
“He undoubtedly is aware of extra about taking part in than numerous different Dads,” he mentioned. “However he holds me to a better expectation. Doing leap ropes each night time and simply working arduous. It has by no means been lower than that. I undoubtedly owe all of it to my Dad and my older brother Michael.”
Michael is now taking part in at Texas Tech. TJ noticed him leaping rope at night time. That has been his factor ever since.
It fuels his dream.
“Simply to have the ability to sit within the room with my household and simply all of them understanding that I made it,” he mentioned. “That’s sort of what I search for on the finish of the day. With the ability to present for each my dad and mom and the remainder of my household and all my siblings. Sort of the enjoyment I’d get from doing simply that’s the reason I do what I do.”
“As quickly as a step on that soccer discipline, it is sort of a change. I flip that change on for me and simply wish to go arduous each play.”
Most colleges undertaking him to play guard. Some convey up deal with. No person sees him as a middle. But.
“One factor I pitch to each faculty coach that has been recruiting me is being versatile,” he mentioned. “I really feel like I can play all 5 positions from the left facet to the best facet to middle. I really feel I can do this in addition to anybody within the nation.”
“I believe that’s a great factor to have to enter faculty. Simply because some guys sort of restrict themselves to only taking part in left deal with and capturing themselves within the foot. They go to a faculty they usually have a sophomore All-American at left deal with. They’ll be sitting on the bench for 2 years. I really feel like being versatile, particularly on the subsequent stage, goes to be a giant factor for my recreation.”
Shanahan performed each proper guard and proper deal with final yr. Search for him to slip to left deal with this fall.
Texas offensive line prospect TJ Shanahan Jr. is ranked as a 5-star and the nation’s No. 1 offensive guard for Rivals.com. He is ranked because the No. 7 IOL and the No. 140 total recruit on the 247Sports Composite. (Courtesy picture)
Courtesy picture, Dawgnation
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How did TJ Shanahan really feel about Georgia earlier than the OV?
Shanahan gave a glowing evaluate of his official from this weekend. It’ll movement down the web page. But previous to that, try this sampling of pre-OV quotes in regards to the Bulldogs:
- “The general vibe about Georgia was actually cool from my earlier visits. I might actually see myself residing there. For certain.”
- “It’s simply the individuals there that stand out. The individuals inside their soccer program. I imply, I might title off 10 guys I actually like inside their program. The individuals they’ve operating the ship there may be actually cool to see.”
- “They’re such an awesome program. They’ve numerous nice success up to now.”
- “Georgia produces guys. They’d numerous guys go within the draft on the offensive line the previous few years and lots of people typically on their staff go within the draft. That stands out to me. They’d what number of guys, 15, drafted this yr?”
- “You’re round gamers which can be going to go to the NFL. Simply being a younger buck or possibly being the identical age as these guys, I believe, being round numerous gamers that each one have that very same mindset is basically cool.”
- That’s the massive factor about taking part in within the SEC. I’ve all the time been leaning towards taking part in within the SEC. That’s sort of the place all the massive ‘Dawgs go.”
- “I might undoubtedly see myself in Athens. Enrolled and every little thing. They’re undoubtedly certainly one of my high faculties. For certain.”
- “I really feel like numerous issues match with me at Georgia. Like rather a lot.”
What’s he in search of?
“Only a robust relationship with the offensive line coach,” he mentioned. “I really feel like that’s going to be massive for me. One massive factor my brothers have all the time informed me is you’re going to be spending 90 to 95 p.c of your time with the offensive line coach. That’s why that relationship means a lot to me.”
“Additionally then the surroundings of the campus and the way the dorms look. I really feel that can be fairly necessary. Whether or not you prefer it or not, you’re going to be residing there for 3 or 4 or 5 years. You undoubtedly wish to go someplace you’re feeling comfy.”
Shanahan has performed soccer for 5 years. He’s been taking part in pickup basketball since he was three or 4 years previous. He’s not the designated fouler.
“I’m the man who will get the ball on the three-point line and drives it in,” he mentioned. “I attempt to get that and-1 on the play.”
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Texas offensive line prospect TJ Shanahan Jr. is ranked as a 5-star and the nation’s No. 1 offensive guard for Rivals.com. He is ranked because the No. 7 IOL and the No. 140 total recruit on the 247Sports Composite. (Courtesy picture)
Courtesy picture, Dawgnation
Rely Shanahan among the many all-white uniform occasion. That listing is sort of lengthy and distinguished.
What’s his favourite Georgia uniform combo?
“I’d need to go along with the all-whites,” he mentioned. “It was actually cool to place that on. Simply to be part of that. I’d undoubtedly say the all-whites for certain.”
However he’s a bit old style together with his appreciation for the pink jersey.
“I just like the pink jersey however I don’t know,” he mentioned. “There was one thing about placing on the all-white jersey that was actually interesting to me.”
May he describe his OV in a single phrase?
“That may be a actually powerful query,” he mentioned. “Wonderful. I’d say wonderful. It was every little thing. I felt numerous love through the go to. There have been lots of people there and a bunch of highly-rated recruits and I really feel greater than beloved at Georgia. I’d undoubtedly say wonderful for certain.”
Did the ‘Dawgs elevate his appreciation of their program?
“For certain,” he mentioned. “I undoubtedly would say they did. Simply the love I felt from the entire teaching employees was simply excellent. The issues that they had arrange with every little thing. I undoubtedly spent numerous time with [offensive line] Coach [Stacy] Searels. In all probability the entire weekend he was proper by my hip. Simply speaking to me. Having conversations and in addition coach Eddie Gordon and coach [Devonte] Danzy. His two assistants. They have been undoubtedly by me rather a lot and I obtained to speak it up with coach [Kirby] Good and coach [Dell] McGee. I undoubtedly felt numerous love from the entire teaching employees.”
His favourite half was his time with Georgia’s not-so-new offensive line coach.
“Sitting down with Coach Searles and watching a few of my movie that he recorded throughout my spring apply,” Shanahan mentioned. “Simply to have the ability to sit down and be critiqued by Coach Searles. He’s undoubtedly tremendous knowledgable relating to all of the offensive line positions.”
“That was most likely my favourite half, but in addition undoubtedly speaking to teach Good and having little conversations with the entire teaching employees right here and there was additionally nice.”
Searels satisfied TJ he might make him higher.
“For certain he might,” Shanahan mentioned. “He might do a very good job of that and develop me to be one of the best particular person I will be off the sphere and one of the best participant on the sphere. Sitting in his assembly room and simply listening to him and the way he coaches his gamers sort of simply made me wish to be part of that. He’s very knowledgable relating to offensive linemen and he’s undoubtedly the kind of man I might see myself taking part in beneath.”
Shanahan was at UGA for G-Day in April. That’s when he linked up with Justice Haynes and others and began to plan this previous weekend. He was additionally at UGA final June. That’s when he first met Arch Manning.
He’s seen Texas A&M 4 or 5 instances. He’s additionally been to Texas twice.
“Simply because it’s so shut,” he mentioned of the Aggies.
Texas offensive line prospect TJ Shanahan Jr. is ranked as a 5-star and the nation’s No. 1 offensive guard for Rivals.com. He is ranked because the No. 7 IOL and the No. 140 total recruit on the 247Sports Composite. (Courtesy picture)
Courtesy picture, Dawgnation
Shanahan repeatedly talked about McGee. He goes again a good distance there. McGee first provided him when he was at Timber Creek in Orlando.
He moved to Westlake in Texas to take his recreation to the subsequent stage. Westlake has received three straight UIL titles and performed for all of it 11 instances in its historical past.
“Coach McGee was a giant a part of my recruitment for the primary couple of months after I used to be provided by Georgia and he’s nonetheless undoubtedly a giant a part of me getting recruited by Georgia,” Shanahan mentioned. “I’d additionally say he undoubtedly desires to point out like to the fellows up entrance that make his guys look good. I undoubtedly felt that this weekend and the entire time I’ve been getting recruited by Georgia.”
What does he like finest about Georgia now?
“Seeing how they function,” he mentioned. “Seeing that formally this weekend was wonderful. They’d every little thing arrange. I believe there have been 14 or 13 recruits there this previous weekend. They’d every little thing arrange and on level which was wonderful. I’d say everybody felt the love this weekend. The individuals they’ve on their employees are one other factor as effectively. They’ve a bunch of fine individuals. Clearly a bunch of fine soccer coaches. However simply good individuals. Folks you’ll wish to be round.”
Georgia has by no means hosted that many official guests at one time.
“I consider Coach Good informed me probably the most they ever had earlier than was like eight or 9,” Shanahan Jr. mentioned. “10 on the most. One factor he undoubtedly did say about this entire weekend was about how this was most likely one of the best official go to class they’ve ever had are available throughout his entire time at Georgia.”
“In order that sort of meant rather a lot to me and I guess it meant rather a lot to all the opposite recruits that have been there this weekend.”
He was impressed by “The Georgia Method” program. It’s an outlet designed to assist Bulldogs previous, current and future get a step forward within the working world when their taking part in days are up.
“That sort of meant rather a lot to me,” he mentioned. “Mrs. Lee actually did an awesome job with that. I felt like that was one of many coolest shows I’ve ever seen.”
There was an instance of a participant from the Eighties who used this system to connect with a possible employer.
“The Georgia Method” made that occur.
“That was a cool a part of the go to for me,” Shanahan Jr. mentioned. “In all probability one of many coolest.”
That program was not misplaced on his household both.
Texas offensive line prospect TJ Shanahan Jr. is ranked as a 5-star and the nation’s No. 1 offensive guard for Rivals.com. He is ranked because the No. 7 IOL and the No. 140 total recruit on the 247Sports Composite. (Courtesy picture)
Courtesy picture, Dawgnation
The subsequent steps for TJ Shanahan Jr.
Shanahan felt momentum performs a giant half in a weekend like that one at Georgia. It’s one factor for a person recruit to heat to a faculty on a go to, it’s one other to see the identical taking place with six or seven or eight different guys on the identical go to.
Inertia hits. They begin sensing if everybody on the go to selected the identical college, they’ll have one heck of a staff.
“For certain,” he mentioned. “With that being mentioned, there have been a bunch of actually good recruits there and that takes place one thousand p.c. Blocking for a man like Arch Manning. Blocking for a man like Justice Haynes. I imply it’s indescribable if we might make that occur. I’m undoubtedly going to have numerous conversations with these guys from this level and simply sort of see how issues shake out.”
He introduced up Georgia soccer staffer Mike Cavan. Cavan performed QB at Georgia, then recruited a fella named Herchel Walker as an assistant. He has been a particular assistant to Good since 2016.
Cavan was additionally the top coach at SMU, amongst different stops.
“He was a giant a part of my weekend,” Shanahan Jr. mentioned. “With the ability to sit down with him and speak about every little thing happening. He was with me rather a lot so I obtained numerous perception and love from him.”
Shanahan has scheduled two different officers. Texas A&M might be on the weekend of the seventeenth. He’ll take one other official go to to LSU on June 24.
Georgia set a lofty benchmark for these faculties to succeed in.
“I’d say they set it excessive,” Shanahan Jr. mentioned. “Or on the highest. I imply the individuals they’ve there. The best way they function and even the gamers that they’ve now there. It’s simply – I don’t know actually – it truly is one thing.”
He’ll take two summer time courses to graduate in December and enroll at one fortunate college in January.
Shanahan can be occupied with two extra officers within the fall and a choice after that. However nothing is about.
“I’ll know once I know after which I’ll announce it to the entire world,” he mentioned. “I want to take all 5 of my officers earlier than I make any type of dedication to any college.”
Take a look at his spectacular junior movie beneath:
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