Interview: 3-Star 2021 Texas QB AJ Smith-Shawver Also Raking in Baseball Offers
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Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After throwing for 2,516 yards with 18 touchdowns earning first team 5A All-District honors as a junior, if there was any doubt about AJ Smith-Shawver’s arm talent that is being erased in more ways than one in 2020. The 6-3, 205-pound, Colleyville Heritage High School prospected started the 2020 season out where he left off, taking apart secondaries. In the Panthers’ season opener, he threw for 326 yards with five scores going up on the board. The three-star Class of 2021 recruit has picked up five gridiron offers and 15 collegiate offers on the diamond after a summer of hitting 95 miles per hour on the mound.
In a return to the RNG Lab, Smith-Shawver updates us on the beginnings of his senior campaign and his rapidly growing recruiting process.
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Interview
AJ, we spoke back during the summer covering all the things you were working on to prepare for the 2020 season. All that hard work paid off in a big way throwing for 326 yards with five touchdowns. How did it feel to be back on the field dissecting opposing defenses?
It was nice to be back out there. We worked really hard all offseason. Grinding with my brothers getting to do what we love under the lights was a great experience overall.
Putting up numbers like that, you were clicking like it was midseason. What was working for you against Grapevine leading to the 48-24 win?
We got a new coach at the end of the school year. It is a great system for us. (2021 receiver) Brenen Hawkins is great for us. We had a great game plan, and we executed really well. Our personnel and coaching staff, they are doing a great job.
The timing and chemistry appears to be down with your receivers. You completed 21 passes to six or seven different targets. What were some of the routes you connected on against Grapevine?
We completed on hitches, five-yard stops, and some deep shots. We took advantage of their catch technique, we have athletic guys out there. Some of our shots vertically paid off.
What defensive looks did Grapevine give you?
They ran a Cover 4 about 75 percent of the time. They ran quarters in Cover 4 staying back all game playing a catch technique.
This week the Panthers take on Colleyville Heritage (1-0). What are you expecting to see from their defense?
Well, we have a COVID case in our program, the next two games are cancelled. We will keep working but we are taking a break. We will be ready for district.
I am sorry to hear about that. I hope whomever involved recovers quickly.
Thank you.
With two game weeks of preparation behind you, how are you getting ready week to week for all the games?
By watching a lot of film. Coach Martin is sending us film to prepare. I am studying the defense seeing their weak points. Coach Martin has done an awesome job with that. We are being prepared for what will happen before it happens.
Beyond the nuances of the offense, which areas of your game are you continuing to work on in practice to tighten as the season goes along?
Right now, I am working on my touch pass. I feel like that is an area I needed to work along with my footwork. We have guys that we can take vert shots with on our offense.
Of the remaining games, what are some of the big games or rivalry games fans should be in the stands for going forward?
I feel like everyone should be at all our games. We have something special going on. Someone ranked us the hardest 5A schedule in Texas. You don’t want to miss anything.
Let’s get into some recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
I’ve talked to Tulsa, staying in touch with them. Recruiting will start picking back up with my film being released as the season goes on.
Agreed. Where is the offer total now?
Five.
Smith-Shawver’s Offer Sheet: Abilene Christian, Incarnate Word, Furman, Lafayette, and Southwest Minnesota State
Over the summer months, did you get to take any virtual visits?
Yes, sir. I took some visits. There was one to UIW and I took a lot of virtual baseball visits. SMSU, they sent me something to watch.
Let’s backtrack to the summer and talk about baseball. How did the season go for you?
It went well really well. I showcased myself well. I picked up offers from SEC and Big 12 schools. Right now, I am narrowing down my opportunities to see if I can get a two-way offer somewhere. I am figuring out the best situation for me.
How many offers do you have to play baseball in college?
Fifteen.
Baseball Offer Sheet: Howard, Oklahoma, McLennan CC, UTSA, Arkansas, Western Illinois State, Rice, San Diego State, Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor, Oregon, and Calhoun CC. Two-way offers UIW and Wichita State.
Wow. Impressive.
Thank you.
What position are you being recruited to play?
Pitcher.
What are you hitting on the gun?
I am hitting 95 on the gun.
Other than an unhittable fastball, what other pitches are you throwing?
A slider and a knuckleball.
Last question for you, but back to football. After the big opening game, what goals have you set for the 2020 season?
The main goal is going 1-0 every week until we are at the very last game of the year in the state championship game. That is our main goal. To get there we have to win every game. We have the 1-0 mentality.
AJ, great getting time in with you again today. Wishing you great success the rest of the way until we talk again.
Thank you.
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Photo credit: Smith-Shawver family; AJ Smith in action