BREAKING: Texas A&M lands four-star OL TJ Shanahan

Texas A&M has landed one of the top offensive lineman in the country in 2023 Austin (Tex.) Westlake four-star interior offensive lineman TJ Shanahan, the No. 7 interior offensive lineman in the country and one of the most important targets for offensive line coach Steve Addazio this cycle. 

Shanahan’s commitment comes weeks after he visited College Station the Aggies’ pool party weekend event. Texas A&M beat out Georgia, Texas, USC and LSU for the four-star’s commitment. 

Shanahan made an official visit to College Station back in June, which helped the Aggies surge ahead of the aforementioned Bulldogs and Tigers, the two biggest contenders in his recruitment outside of Texas A&M. 

One key reason for the Aggies’ move in his recruitment is his relationship with first-year offensive line coach Steve Addazio.

“I mean Coach Addazio, he’s that guy,” Shanahan said. “I really like him a lot. Kind of just the way he talks and the way he coaches, the way he just kind of gets on everyone, I really like that. I kind of just want a fire lit up under my ass to just keep going, keep going. I really like that about him. So, he’s a great guy, and even better coach.”

Shanahan added that his long-standing relationship with Jimbo Fisher was a major factor in his decision as well.

“I’ve known Coach Fisher here for about two and a half years,” he said. “He’s been heavily in my recruitment as far as A&M and myself, but I know he’s a good coach and I saw what he did at Florida State, you know, living in Florida. I was there to watch him whenever he recruited Jacques Patrick from my hometown school. But you know, he’s just a great guy and a good coach.”

The 6-foot-4, 332 pounder has visited Texas A&M six times to date, including four times this calendar year alone, most recently for the Aggies’ pool party in late July.

Shanahan, who originally hails from the state of Florida, moved to Texas prior to the remainder of his high school career at Texas powerhouse Austin Westlake. 

Shanahan is the eleventh commit in the Aggies’ class and the fourth offensive lineman alongside Spring Branch (Tex.) Smithson Valley four-star offensive lineman Colton Thomasson, Ramsey (N.J) Don Bosco Prep four-star offensive lineman Chase Bisontis and Philadelphia (Penn.) Northeast three-star offensive tackle Naquil Betrand. He becomes the second commit in as many days, for the Aggies committing less than 24 hours after La Grange (Tex.) High four-star cornerback Bravion Rogers announced his commitment.

Scouting Report for T.J Shanahan

“Interior offensive line prospect that is the definition of a road grader at the next level. Helped lead Austin Westlake (TX) to a state championship during his junior season. Run blocking machine that blows defenders off the ball with ease. Lacks ideal arm length and foot speed to play tackle. Measures in at just a shade under 6-foot-4, 325 pounds with a 6-foot-7 wingspan. Consistently low pad level that allows him to win the leverage battle. Strong punch and solid striker. Threw 43-foot-8 in the shot put as a sophomore. Has the potential to push for a starting job in year one as long as he can control his weight. Transferred from Timber Creek (FL) to Austin Westlake following his sophomore season. One of the older offensive line prospects in the 2023 recruiting cycle.” – Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings.

Shanahan ranks as the the No. 117 prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 7 interior offensive lineman and the No. 21 prospect in the Lone Star State. The four-star has an NIL Valuation of $117K. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.