Texas lands commitment from 4-star OT Javonne Shepherd

Herb Hand has hauled in his third major addition along the offensive line since arriving in Austin, as Houston North Forest offensive tackle Javonne Shepherd brought his recruitment to a close on Sunday and announced his commitment to the Texas Longhorns.

Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and USC were also in the mix throughout the spring, but down the stretch, the four-star prospect’s recruitment largely appeared to be an in-state battle between Texas and Texas A&M.

To that end, the Longhorns took control, even by Shepherd’s own admission.

After already making multiple trips from to the Forty Acres prior to announcing his top eight on March 31, Shepherd visited the Longhorns again weeks later on April 21, again on May 13, and then yet again on June 5, which left the Houston native dubbing Texas as his top school. Then, following a 10-day fiasco in which conflicting reports arose regarding Shepherd’s future visit plans, he toured Texas A&M and Texas on consecutive days, with he Aggies hosting him on June 15 and the Longhorns welcoming him on June 16 for the Heat Wave pool party, in which Shepherd once again left Austin reaffirming that the ‘Horns are the top team on his mind.

Texas A&M aimed for a late push of its own, but following yet another trip to the Forty Acres on July 27, Shepherd announced that his top team has earned his commitment.

A selection for The Opening Finals, the 6’6, 346-pound Shepherd is ranked as the nation’s No. 237 player, the No. 25 offensive tackle, and as the No. 31 player in Texas, per the 247Sports Composite.

The Longhorns 15-man class is now ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12. Shepherd is the second offensive tackle to commit to Hand in the 2019 recruiting class, joining the state’s No. 4 player, Conroe Oak Ridge offensive tackle Tyler Johnson. He also becomes the second Texas pledge in as many days, as three-star Florida linebacker Marcus Tillman Jr. announced his commitment on Saturday.

• Tyler Johnson — 4-star OT
• Jordan Whittington — 4-star WR
• De’Gabriel Floyd — 4-star OLB
• Jake Smith — 4-star WR
• Kenyatta Watson II — 4-star CB
• Demariyon Houston — 4-star WR
• Brayden Liebrock — 4-star TE
• Chris Adimora — 4-star S
• Roschon Johnson — 4-star QB
• Javonne Shepherd — 4-star OT
• Marcus Tillman Jr. — 3-star OLB
• Peter Mpagi — 3-star WDE
• Marques Caldwell — 3-star CB
• T’Vondre Sweat — 3-star SDE
• Jared Wiley — 3-star TE