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Jacob Allen knows and understands the frustration of Rutgers football fans. He has a message for those who are down on the program’s recent tough spell: stay the course.
Allen, the No. 1 recruit in the state of New Jersey for the class of 2022, committed to Rutgers on the day of the annual ‘Spring Game’ in late May He says that he’s been in communication regularly with offensive line coach Andrew Aurich.
Rutgers has lost four straight games and is now 3-4 (0-4 Big Ten). The first three losses were against teams currently in the top 10 of the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. Last week’s loss, 21-7 at Northwestern, was against a team that played in the Big Ten Championship Game a season ago.
“I haven’t been able to see the games live because I play at the same time as Rutgers. Usually, I talk with coach Aurich after the games. Rome wasn’t built in a day. I know people aren’t responding well to them right now, I’m still excited to get there,” Allen told ‘Rutgers Wire’ on Tuesday.
“I’m still 100 percent. I haven’t talked to another coach since I’ve committed.”
Allen has been regularly talking with the offensive line commits, a highly-rated group that will be counted on to help strengthen what is a struggling part of the Rutgers two-deep.
“I’ve been in most contact with the offensive line commits. I think they’re all here to say,” Allen said.
“I think all the line commits coming in, I think we’re all going to be expected to do something when we get there. I’m familiar with how the Rutgers culture is. I know I think they’re still attacking every day. I’m not worried.
“I think this bye week is going to help them a lot, to recuperate and get healthy. It’s tough the schedule they’ve had.”
Allen is the starting left tackle for Hun, who are currently undefeated, 5-0.
He said his goal for the rest of the season is to “Stay healthy and have fun.”