OT: RU Football heading towards greatest recruiting class in school history.

[RutgersJetFan]

Rutgers' early verbal commitments are special
by Tom Luicci/Star-Ledger Staff
Tuesday June 24, 2008, 7:44 PM

Tom Lemming of Prep Football Report and CSTV said this week he had Rutgers' recruiting class for 2009 ranked No. 1 in the Big East.
Quantity has something to do with that, of course, since the Knights already have 17 verbal commitments -- the third-most in the country. But the quality of the class is what has caught the attention of most recruiting experts.

All of them -- from Lemming to SuperPrep's Allen Wallace to Mike Farrell of Rivals.com to the folks at Scout.com -- predict this will be the best class in Rutgers history and one that should land in the Top 25.

How did it happen? Head coach Greg Schiano seemed to signal that he was staying for good by turning down Michigan. And two schools that once dominated the area -- Penn State and Syracuse -- aren't the recruiting factors they once were.

Three straight bowl appearances have also made Rutgers a recruiting force locally and in the surrounding states. Here's a look at how the splashiest recruiting class in school history breaks down so far -- with Rutgers still in the running for more top-level players:


QBs, RBs, WRs

Who they got:
NAME ;; POS. ;; HT. ;; WT. ;; HIGH SCHOOL
Mark Harrison ;; WR ; 6-3 ;; 229 ;; Bunnell (Stratford, Conn.)
Aaron Hayward ;; WR;; 5-11;; 194 ;; Penns Grove (Carneys Point)
Robert Joseph ;; FB ;; 6-1 ;; 225;; Poly Prep (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Desmond Scott ;; RB ;; 5-9 ;; 185 ;; Hillside (Durham, N.C.)
Tom Savage ;; QB ;; 6-4 ;; 217 ;; Cardinal O'Hara (Springfield, Pa.)

HOW GOOD ARE THEY?
Savage and Scott -- both four-star recruits -- have helped make this recruiting class the success it is. Savage is generally regarded as the Knights' QB of the future -- possibly as soon as next year if he is able to enroll in January. Scott is the No. 4 all-purpose back in the country (down from No. 2) according to Rivals.com.

WHO ELSE THEY ARE STILL AFTER:

Jamal Merrell ;; WR 6-5;; 195 ;; Hodgson Vo-Tech (Newark, Del.)

ONE MORE THING

Though Hayward is a four-star running back according to Scout.com -- and one of the best in the state at the position -- Rutgers has him projected as a wide receiver for now.


OFFENSIVE LINEMEN, TES

Who they got:
NAME ;; POS. ;; HT. ;;WT. ;; HIGH SCHOOL
Mark Brazinski ;; C ;; 6-4 ;; 290 ;; Immaculata (Somerville)
Malcolm Bush ;; TE ;; 6-3;; 211;; Hackensack (Hackensack)
Paul Carrezola ;; TE ;; 6-3;; 253 ;; Neshaminy (Langhorne, Pa.)
Jamal Wilson ;; OL ;; 6-6 ;; 300 ;; South Shore (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

HOW GOOD ARE THEY?
Carrezola is a three-star tight end who will help fill an area of need when he arrives. Brazinski, a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com, could redshirt a year and then take over as the starting center in 2010.

WHO ELSE THEY ARE STILL AFTER

Oday Aboushi ;; OT ;; 6-6 ;; 300 ;; Xavierian (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Malcolm Bunche ;; OL ;; 6-6 ;; 315 ;; Newark (Newark, Del.)
Khalil Wilkes ;; OL ;; 6-3 ;; 285;; St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City)

ONE MORE THING:
Rutgers hasn't had much success getting kids from powerhouse St. Peter's Prep but may have an in with Khalil Wilkes: His dad, Willie, lettered for the Scarlet Knights in 1989 and 1990.



DEFENSIVE LINEMEN/LBS

Who they got:
NAME ;; POS. ;; HT. ;; WT. ;; HIGH SCHOOL
Steve Beauharnais;; LB ;; 6-2 ;; 205 ;; Saddle Brook (Saddle Brook)
Andre Civil ;; DE;; 6-4 ;; 249 ;; Sheepshead Bay (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Jordan Hill ;; DT ;; 6-3;; 290 ;; Highspire (Steelton, Pa.)
Michael Larrow ;; DE ;; 6-4 ;; 251 ;; Union (Union)

HOW GOOD ARE THEY?
Larrow is one of the state's elite at his position and is coached by former Rutgers linebacker standout Brian Sheridan. The best in this group, though, will be if LB Glenn Carson, DT Antwan Lowery or DE Anthony LaLota becomes the next to commit.

WHO ELSE THEY ARE STILL AFTER:
Glenn Carson ;; LB ;; 6-3 ;; 220 ;; Southern Regional (Manahawkin)
Antwan Lowery ;; DT ;; 6-4 ;; 335 ;; Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
Anthony LaLota ;; DE ;; 6-6 ;; 260 ;; Hun School (Princeton)
Jelani Jenkins ;; OLB ;; 6-1 ;; 212 ;; Good Counsel (Wheaton, Md.)
Jamil Merrell ;; OLB/DE ;; 6-4 ;; 195 ;; Hodgson Vo-Tech (Newark, Del.)
Isaac Holmes ;; DT ;; 6-3;; 295 ;; Hoboken (Hoboken)

ONE MORE THING
Lowery, a four-star player, is the younger brother of current Rutgers linebacker Antonio Lowery -- and could be the only recruit from the state of Florida that the Knights land in this class.



DEFENSIVE BACKS

WHO THEY GOT:
NAME ;; POS. ;; HT. ;; WT. ;; HIGH SCHOOL
Duron Harmon ;; S ;; 6-2 ;; 192 ;; Caesar Rodney (Wyoming, Del.)
Gerald Hodges ;; S ;; 6-3 ;; 218 ; Paulsboro (Paulsboro)
Logan Ryan ;; CB ;; 6-0 ;; 175 ;; Eastern (Voorhees)
Mohamed Sanu ;; S ;; 6-3 ;; 210 ;; South Brunswick (South Brunswick)

HOW GOOD ARE THEY?
Rutgers loaded up on big, talented safeties, with Harmon a four-star recruit according to Scout.com and Hodges rated at three stars by Rivals.com. Landing Ryan, arguably the state's top cornerback, was another coup.

WHO ELSE THEY ARE STILL AFTER
Abdul Smith ;; CB ;; 6-0 ;; 182 ;; Perkiomen (Pennsburg, Pa.)

ONE MORE THING
If the Knights can convince Trenton native Smith to come on board -- he's a three-star player with 22 offers already -- their secondary of the future appears to be set.

Word is on Scott that they think the kid's going to eventually be a Heisman contender btw. Schiano believes they'll be making a national run by the 2011 season.

[kennyo7]

Wow!
Now they might have a shot at the meineke car care bowl or dare we dream...the gator bowl

[RutgersJetFan]

Originally Posted by kennyo7

Wow!
Now they might have a shot at the meineke car care bowl or dare we dream...the gator bowl

Wow, hijack attempt on the 1st reply. Congrats on a new record.

[Jbro22]

I'm eventually going to have to pick a college football team and stick with it. Sucks not having one in the NY area so I lean towards RU quite a bit. But being in Tampa most of the year and watching USF do what they did last year I'm kinda torn. Sucks there in the same conference.

[32green]

Its exciting watching a program get turned around...got to give props to Schiano, big time.

Its nice to have a legit local rooting interest in the College game.

[JetPotato]

They've come a loooooooooong way since my days on the Banks.

I've got chills thinking about what could be in the next few years.

[RutgersJetFan]

Originally Posted by 32green

Its exciting watching a program get turned around...got to give props to Schiano, big time.

Its nice to have a legit local rooting interest in the College game.

Bingo.

What's most notable about this class as well as the '08 class is the portion of better recruits that are coming from the NY/NJ/PA area rather than the FL area. Which has been Schiano's goal from day 1. Landing Savage and Brazinski is ridiculously impressive by all accounts, and shows that Anthony Davis 2 classes back was no fluke.

[FF2®]

Originally Posted by Guido Monzino

I've got chills thinking about what could be in the next few years.

You want a blankie?

[JetPotato]

Originally Posted by FF2®

You want a blankie?

I'd have to black light check it first, Spanky. Thanks anyway.

[RutgersJetFan]

Originally Posted by FF2®

You want a blankie?

http://www.rutgersfever.com/cart.php...category_id=69

[FF2®]

Originally Posted by RutgersJetFan

http://www.rutgersfever.com/cart.php...category_id=69

NICE!


I've got a fever, but the only prescription... is more cowbell!

[Big L]

Hmmm.... Rutgers fan saying they have a Heisman winner and National Title run in 2011...

[FF2®]

I've got chills.

There multiplying.

And I'm losing control.

[frankiepapa]

Originally Posted by RutgersJetFan

Bingo.

What's most notable about this class as well as the '08 class is the portion of better recruits that are coming from the NY/NJ/PA area rather than the FL area. Which has been Schiano's goal from day 1. Landing Savage and Brazinski is ridiculously impressive by all accounts, and shows that Anthony Davis 2 classes back was no fluke.

This area has a ton of great football players and RU could do well on the local kids alone. It seems like they finally have a reason to stay home. The Thursday night games really help the program and if they could keep getting kids from NJ/NY and even PA this program can start to compete in the big time

[32green]

Originally Posted by FF2®

I've got chills.

There multiplying.

And I'm losing control.

Tx's last thoughts before he blows out yet another pair of Depends.

[DE94Abraham]

Rutgers has been recruiting great ever since bringing in Schiano. Its really no surprise that they have another good class.

[WestCoastOffensive]

That was great fun, watching Cal AND Rutgers vying to stay in the Top 10 last year. They had a chance of both being in the top 5 at one point, then the wheels came off for both teams.

Go RU!

[RutgersJetFan]

Originally Posted by frankiepapa

This area has a ton of great football players and RU could do well on the local kids alone. It seems like they finally have a reason to stay home. The Thursday night games really help the program and if they could keep getting kids from NJ/NY and even PA this program can start to compete in the big time

The stadium expansion doesn't hurt either.

[49ersJetsfan]

My god, we might produce a legit NFL nose tackle prospect in 4 years

[Maury77]

Khalil Wilkes dad coached me my freshman year at St. Peter's prep. Wow do I feel old.