Rutgers’ QB of future is staying patient, but he is ‘absolutely’ ready if his moment comes

[Tango Two]

Rutgers’ QB of future is staying patient, but he is ‘absolutely’ ready if his moment comes

Rutgers football's quarterback of the future is developing steadily as he patiently awaits his opportunity.

www.nj.com

 

[rudad02]

What about Shepherd?

 

[SBP]

What about Shepherd?

Older and was never “the future”

 

[MADHAT1]

What about Shepherd?

I look for his future to be elsewhere after this season if it seems like he'll be #2 in 2026 because AJ is AK's back-up this season.

 

[rudad02]

I look for his future to be elsewhere after this season if it seems like he'll be #2 in 2026 because AJ is AK's back-up this season.

Older and was never “the future”

??

 

[rutgersal]

It says in the article that Ajani is the backup. AJ just has to focus on getting better every day. Next year will be his time.

 

[Knight Shift]

What about Shepherd?

Who?

 

[newell138]

I look for his future to be elsewhere after this season if it seems like he'll be #2 in 2026 because AJ is AK's back-up this season.

According to GS Ajani is the backup

But while there is no question about QB1, there is a “tight battle” for the backup spot between redshirt sophomore Ajani Sheppard and redshirt freshman AJ Surace. The veteran “has the lead” coming into camp, Schiano said.
“The way I always approach it is: if you are going to take somebody’s job, you gotta take the belt from the champ,” he said. “If he had the job, there’s a reason he had the job, so you got to outperform. Tie goes to the incumbent. So I tell everybody, you gotta win the job.”

 

[MADHAT1]

According to GS Ajani is the backup

But while there is no question about QB1, there is a “tight battle” for the backup spot between redshirt sophomore Ajani Sheppard and redshirt freshman AJ Surace. The veteran “has the lead” coming into camp, Schiano said.
“The way I always approach it is: if you are going to take somebody’s job, you gotta take the belt from the champ,” he said. “If he had the job, there’s a reason he had the job, so you got to outperform. Tie goes to the incumbent. So I tell everybody, you gotta win the job.”

Which shows the one that would be the best educated guess to be #1 in 2026.
The one who wins #2 in 2025
If AJ takes the job before the season begins or by the time it ends , Ajani might see the writing on the wall and look towards the portal for where he thinks he'll have a better shot at being #1 .
Hopefully Surace and Sheppard will get playing time in 2025 to prove themselves and both show a lot of promise that will make the race being considered the backup in 2025 so close that in 2026 both will be back competing for #1