Breaking the Top 5 down

With the Class of 2008 in the bag, recruiting for the Class of 2009 heats up. One who is drawing nationwide attention is Texas No. 1 five-star QB Russell Shepard from Cy Ridge. Shepard holds double-digit offers, but has carefully chosen a few. Who made the list and where do all of these programs stand with Shepard? TexasPrepInsider has the latest on Shepard’s recruitment.

Being the No. 1 ranked player in the state definitely has its perks. But then again, there are some disadvantages. With so many options to choose from, Cy Ridge (TX) quarterback Russell Shepard talked with TexasPrepInsider to give the lowdown on where things stand with his recruitment.

“As of right now I have a Top 5 and they are: Michigan, Texas, Florida, LSU, and Oklahoma,” Shepard said. “Texas was the leader, but now they are even with the rest of them. This is my list and it could change, but it’s not likely.”

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Shepard holds more than 20 offers, but has quickly narrowed things down. His plan is to check out all of these programs before making the final decision, which will probably come in September at the latest.

This weekend he will head to College Station to check out Texas A&M and go to LSU the weekend after. With the schools he has listed, Shepard has the breakdown on where all of them stand.

Michigan, LSU, Oklahoma
“With all of these schools the same things applies: they have a low depth chart at quarterback so I have the opportunity to play (quarterback) as a true freshman or red shirt freshman,” Shepard said. 

Florida
“I talk with coach Urban Meyer and the quarterbacks coach and I know that they produce some good quarterbacks,” Shepard said. “I feel like I could come and play there as well and I like what they have done with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow.”

Texas
“Of course it is close to home and I really like the their business/marketing school which is something I am interested in,” Shepard said. “I want to go to the big state school and I know if I go to Texas, there will be high expectations.”

As far as any other schools that could see a visit from Shepard, there are a few. Whether it is during the summer or off-season, Shepard may book these additional trips.

“I like my Top 5, but I may check things out at USC, Georgia, Virginia Tech, and Ohio State,” Shepard said. “All of these schools are recruiting me hard and my be worth a look.”

Stay tuned to TexasPrepInsider.com for all of the latest news on the top recruits in the state.