Interview: 44-Offer 2023 Florida MaxPreps All-American OL TJ Shanahan Updates Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There is not a whole lot Florida 8A defenders lining up opposite TJ Shanahan can do other than endure the punishment. During the 2020 season with Timber Creek, the 6-5, 300-pound, tackle laid waste to defenders earning 4-Star recruiting status and first team MaxPreps All-American honors. As the game film spread on Shanahan’s abilities, the college ranks started responding. To date, the Orlando area product has been handed 44 scholarship offers.
Making his first appearance in the RNG Clubhouse, Shanahan goes in detail on his workouts and summer college football recruiting visits.
Interview
TJ, you make sure that opposing 8A Florida defenses know that field is yours on every snap. What fires you up to manhandle defenders the way you do on Fridays?
Being out there, I am a team guy. Being out there with the guys, in the atmosphere of football fires me up. I love the physicality of football. You get to beat guys up on the field and not get in trouble for it. Coming together as team and getting a win motivates, however I can do that, I will do that.
You were a pancake and knockdown artist last season with no mercy. How many pancakes and/or knockdowns did you rack up?
I don’t know. I didn’t keep track, so I couldn’t tell you, but it was quite a bit.
Me asking you to guess, about how many per game do you think you were getting?
Guessing, I was probably averaging about 15 pancakes and 10 knockdowns per game.
From your game film, that sounds about right. With your run blocking, especially down blocking, you’ve got that down. What have you been working on to improve other aspects of your run blocking this spring and summer?
Coming off the ball, is one of the main things, and my explosiveness. How fast and how explosive you get determines who will win the rep. I am working to be more explosive out of my stance. If that gets better, I get better. Getting out of my two and three-point stance as fast as I can.
What have you been working on with your pass protection?
Making sure I am taking the right steps, and my hand placement; that is a big thing. I rep it every day, as many as I can. The whole part of kick stepping is muscle memory; it is second nature at this point. Each time I do it I get better. I am about to go out and practice it some more. The focus is taking the right steps each time the whistle blows.
Which lifts and/or exercises have you been doing to bring more power and agility to your skillset?
Power cleans, that is one of my favorites because it works all the football muscles. One of the things that makes me explosive is power cleans; the motion going up. I am doing bench press, squats, and Redskins. Redskins is the motion of a squat, press, and power clean, if you haven’t heard of it before.
What style of offense will the team execute this fall?
A Spread offense.
How is the team looking as the 2021 season nears?
We are looking pretty good. We have lot of guys back, but we lost 20 to 25 seniors. We are looking good. I am excited for this fall.
This offseason, did you compete at any national camps?
Yes, I went to The Rivals 5-Star camp and I went on a west coast tour to check out some schools. I went to Rivals 5-Star camp from Burbank (CA) to Atlanta. I made the trip worth it; they named me the Offensive Line MVP.
Very cool. Turning to recruiting. Are there any programs showing interest yet to offer?
Clemson and maybe UCLA.
How many offers are you holding?
I have 44 offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
San Diego State offered about a month ago. Cal offered on that trip; I took a visit and they offered. Tennessee reoffered, Ole Miss, Rutgers, and Texas.
Shanahan’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, California, Cincinnati, Florida, FAU, FIU, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, San Diego State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Tennessee-Martin, Texas, Texas A&M, UCF, USC, USF, and West Virginia
You mentioned visiting some schools on the west coast, which schools did you get to visit this summer?
I went to UCF, they are down the street, Florida, and I flew out to Oregon. After Oregon, I went down the line to Cal, Stanford, USC, and UCLA. Then I flew to Rivals and flew back to Phoenix; going to my dad’s old stomping ground Arizona. Then I went to Arizona State, Austin (Texas), and Texas A&M, then I finally flew home. It was a very busy summer to say the least. Oh, after Texas, I went to Georgia, Alabama, and LSU.
How did the Florida visit turn out?
It was a good visit. I like Coach (John) Hevesy (OL) and Coach (Dan) Mullen (head coach). I feel at home there.
And the USC visit, how did that go?
I really liked USC. I like Coach (Clay) Helton (head coach) and Coach (Clay) McGuire (OL). The whole visit, I loved it. I will be back; maybe in July or for a game. I may lock them in on an official visit. I like what they are doing in Southern California.
What did you see and do during the LSU stop?
I saw the school and talked with their academic adviser. I spent the day with Coach O (Ed Orgeron – head coach) and with Brad Davis (OL). LSU was one of my favorites. That was a great visit. I may have to lock them in on an official too. I really like Baton Rouge. This fall, I will be there for sure.
Last one to ask you about; tell me about the Georgia visit.
At Georgia, it was a great day to be there. I had a lot of fun. Arch Manning (QB), I was there with him. We talked for a little bit. It was a great visit. They laid out the red carpet for us. I met with Coach (Matt) Luke (OL) and head coach Kirby Smart. I can see myself in Athens. The visit was awesome to say the least.
You are a ways out from being able to do so, but you’ve mentioned setting up official visits; which schools might you set official visits with when the time comes?
Yes, none are locked in as of right now, but LSU is one, USC, and Georgia are the other two. I am not sure about the last two. There is still a lot of time to figure out my five officials. I will take all five and go from there.
Are there any other upcoming visits for you?
Ohio State and Notre Dame in July. I am planning a couple more. Hopefully I will get to those two this summer.
Do you have any visits that you are locking in for this fall?
None locked in yet, but maybe I will go on two to four visits during the season.
TJ, it was fun getting the inside story on your visits this summer. Thank you for your time. Wishing you and the Wolves success preparing for the 2021 season.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Shanahan family; TJ Shanahan