Category: Rutgers recruiting

The New Jersey earthquake didn’t stop Raedyn Bruens from taking an unofficial visit to Rutgers

Rutgers football hosted Florida edge rusher Raedyn Bruens over the weekend.

For Raedyn Bruens, the unofficial visit must go on. Even if that visit included an earthquake that took place just 25 minutes from Rutgers.

For Bruens, his two-day visit to Rutgers was his first time on campus.

An edge rusher who attends Mosley High School (Lynn Haven, Florida), Bruens is ranked a three-star according to 247Sports, where he is the No. 69 edge rusher in the nation and the No. 117 player in Florida in this recruiting cycle.

He holds offers from FAU, Jacksonville State, South Florida, Troy and Tulane among others.

His visit to Rutgers over the weekend began on Friday. Just a couple of hours into the visit, something memorable happened.

Well, it would have been memorable if Bruens had realized it at the time.

“I actually didn’t at first,” Bruens told Rutgers Wire about the Friday morning earthquake, which measured a 4.8.

“I didn’t even know till later. I did feel an after shock after I had gotten to the hotel.”

At the time that the earthquake rumbled across New Jersey, Bruens and his family were pulling up to the academic center at Rutgers for a meeting. Bruens learned about the earthquake when a friend of his mother texted her to check in on the family.

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The friend had seen the news about the earthquake in New Jersey and wanted to make sure everyone was safe.

As for the rest of the visit, the part that was truly memorable for Bruens, it was a good first experience at Rutgers.

“We got there late Thursday night and Friday was a life day for them,” Bruens said.

“So we got to watch them lift and had meetings with some coaches and academic advisers. Saturday was a scrimmage day so I got to see them practice then scrimmage for an hour. It was a great time.”

Last year, Bruens had 48 total tackles including eight tackles for a loss. He had two sacks and five quarterback hurries as well as four passes defended.

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He said he is planning on taking an official visit to Rutgers this summer.

“I loved it,” Bruens said. “Seems like a great system and a great culture.”

Bruens did feel the aftershock several hours later on Friday evening. The aftershock measured in at 4.0 and, much like the morning earthquake, rattled throughout New Jersey.

“In the hotel, we had felt the after shock and it shook the room,” Bruens said.

What attributes can 2025 recruit Talibi Kaba add to Rutgers football?

Talibi Kaba is a physical linebacker prospect who committed to Rutgers football.

In early February, Rutgers football added a standout prospect in Talibi Kaba to their 2025 recruiting class. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound linebacker is a quick and fluid linebacker who covers a lot of ground and can shine within the Scarlet Knights’ defense.

A linebacker at Hillside (Hillside, New Jersey), Kaba is ranked the No. 5 prospect in New Jersey and the No. 20 ranked linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

Kaba received offers from Boston College Duke, Iowa State and Kent State during his recruitment.

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Film Review

The future Scarlet Knight is extremely athletic, covering a ton of ground at the linebacker position. He can change direction quickly and is solid in run support and pass coverage. Kaba plays sideline-to-sideline, chasing down ball carries in the open field.

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He is a two-way starter at the high school level, logging multiple carries at the running back position, and showing off his top speed. With his elite speed, Kaba can play the rover position within Defensive Coordinator Joe Harasymiak’s defensive scheme. Also, he can share time playing at the middle and outside linebacker positions.

As Kaba develops toward the Power Five level, he needs to focus on getting stronger and more physical. If Kaba can counter his speed with strength, he can shine at the collegiate level.

 

Rutgers football adds PWO kicker Dane Pizzaro

Dane Pizzaro committed to Rutgers football on Saturday.

Dane Pizzaro knows futbol better than football, but the latest commit to Rutgers certainly boasts some upside to his game.

On Saturday, Pizzaro committed to Rutgers football. The class of 2024 kicker from Father Judge High School (Philadelphia) was an all-conference selection in both soccer and football last year.

A standout soccer player (Pizzaro was a member of the Philadelphia Union Academy which is arguably the best in the United States), Pizzaro’s commitment is an important addition for Rutgers this offseason.

Pizzaro has been impressive in his transition to gridiron football, committing to Rutgers football on Saturday as a Preferred Walk On (PWO).

He posted his commitment to Rutgers on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter:

 

He is the first kicker to commit to Rutgers in the 2024 class. He was offered by Western Michigan and Incarnate Word in February.

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The Scarlet Knights have a strong tradition of solid kicking over the years. Currently, redshirt freshman Jai Jai Patel is the starting kicker, having won the job in training camp last year.

Philadelphia wide receiver Jalil Hall announces a June decision date with Rutgers football in the mix

Jalil Hall is down to five schools with a commitment coming in June.

Jalil Hall is down to five schools with a commitment date coming in mid-April. Rutgers football is among the programs in the mix for Hall.

On Saturday, Hall posted on social media that he will be making his college commitment on June 29. Rutgers is one of five programs that Hall will consider.

A 6-foot-4, 185-pound wide receiver from Monsignor Bonner (Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania), Hall is one of the top offensive playmakers in the region.

He is a three-star recruit who is the No. 69 wide receiver in the nation according to 247Sports. In Pennsylvania, he is the No. 16 player in this class.

The five schools that Hall will make his decision from at Syracuse, West Virginia, Rutgers, Maryland and Duke.

Hall was offered by Rutgers last June following a workout on campus. The offer came directly in a meeting with head coach Greg Schiano.

“I sat down in coach Schiano’s office with my family and he told how me (that) he loved (the 40 time). He said what he would like to see from me and I delivered that to him,” Hall said last June in an interview with Rutgers Wire.

“He also said that that moment right there showed him what type of person I am and why he could see me being in his program as an elite player.

“It felt great. I’m excited and thankful for the opportunity.”

Hall also holds offers from programs such as James Madison, Nebraska, Temple and Virginia Tech among others.

Four-star Jaelyne Matthews is visiting Rutgers football on Saturday

Jaelyne Matthews is visiting Rutgers football on Saturday.

Jaelyne Matthews will be on an unofficial visit to Rutgers football this weekend.

A four-star recruit, Matthews is one of the top players in New Jersey in the 2025 class. His first offer came in as a freshman from Rutgers.

He attends Toms Rover North (Toms River, New Jersey) where he also plays lacrosse.

Selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, Matthews is a top-10 offensive tackle in the nation in the 247Sports Composite where he is also the No. 108 overall recruit nationally.

Matthews is a national recruit, with offers that include Baylor, Florida State, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami and South Carolina among others.

Matthews posted about the Saturday visit to Rutgers on his social media.

 

In late February, Matthews talked with Rutgers Wire about where things stand with Rutgers:

“We’re still booking a midweek visit for them, trying to figure it out. The recruiting process it’s a little difficult sometimes. The weekends, they only give you four weekends really to go on official visits because of the dead periods and I have prom one of the weekends, so I couldn’t really go that weekend and I changed it a little bit because of that,” Matthews told Rutgers Wire.

“So I only have three weekends for official visits so I’m trying to figure out when for Rutgers to book my first visit – probably during the week. I would love to be able to play at that school and be the hometown hero in New Jersey.

“To put Rutgers on the map, nationally. They definitely got a lot of national attention when they were in the game with Ohio State and then in the bowl game they beat Miami. They havc changed a lot since Greg Schiano has gotten there. He’s changed the program for the better and I’m happy for the team.”

Film Breakdown: 2025 recruit Renick Dorilas is a strong, aggressive cornerback for Rutgers football

Renick Dorilas is an aggressive cornerback prospect who recently committed to Rutgers.

On Sunday, Rutgers football received a commitment from Renick Dorilas.

Dorilas has been on campus multiple times and attended several Rutgers football games last year. A defensive back in the class of 2025, he announced last month that he is transferring to Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey) for his senior season.

The 5-foot-11, 150-pound cornerback received offers from Boston College, Duke, Minnesota, Tennessee, Penn State, Syracuse and West Virginia throughout his recruitment.

According to 247Sports, Dorilas is the No. 21 prospect in New Jersey and the No. 70 ranked cornerback nationally in the 2025 recruiting class.

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Dorilas’s Skill Set

With his commitment, Dorilas adds multiple skills to Rutgers’ secondary. As a junior at Union (Union, New Jersey) in 2023, Dorilas had 40 tackles with two tackles for a loss. Also, he logged two interceptions and four pass breakups for Union.

He offers physicality to the corner position with excellent active hands. His long arms make it difficult for opposing wide receivers to get quick releases off the line of scrimmage. Also, Dorilas has great ball skills, forcing multiple turnovers for the Scarlet Knights’ defense.

The 2025 recruit has speed that allows him to hang with the top wide receivers at the Power Five level. Expect Dorilas’s skills to shine at the collegiate level when he reports to campus in 2025.

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Layton von Brandt talks Rutgers football offer

Layotn von Brandt talks about his recent Rutgers football offer.

Class of 2027 offensive lineman Layton von Brandt was offered by Rutgers football during an unofficial visit on Thursday.

At 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, von Brandt attends Appoquinimink (West Middletown, Delaware).

Despite being a class of 2027 recruit, von Brandt holds prior offers from Charlotte and Syracuse in addition to a Rutgers offer this week.

He will visit Syracuse over the weekend.

As for his trip on Thursday, Rutgers made a good first impression on Van Brandt. He was offered at the end of his unofficial visit by head coach [autotag]Greg Schoano[/autotag].

“The facilities and support staff were top-notch,” Von Brandt told Rutgers Wire on Thursday.

“As soon as we arrived, (I) was very impressed with all of the things coach Schiano has put in place like the recovery rooms and treatment rooms and the players’ lounge. Every coach and staff member knew who I was which really made me feel valued as a player – I wasn’t just a number .

“I loved the energy of the players and coaches at practice and how organized everything was . Definitely felt like watching an NFL practice which not every school I’ve visited has.”

That NFL vibe is led by Schiano, who was a head coach for two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On staff is [autotag]Pat Flaherty[/autotag], who turned around the Rutgers football offensive line this past season.

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Flaherty spent over two decades in the NFL and won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.

“Coach Flaherty was amazing . He’s seen and done it all at the highest level and talking ball with him and learning was awesome,” von Brandt said.

“It made me want to put pads on and get after it. And then finally meeting with coach Schiano in his office with my family and getting to know him – I could really tell he is a great leader of men and I felt like he could develop me to the player I want to ultimately be. He talked about what Rutgers means to him and how much he loved it and realized he should have never left and what his vision for the program is in the future and the values he has.

“I believe he will accomplish it and loved all of it.”

College football runs in the von Brandt bloodline.

His older brother is Ryan von Brandt, who is a 6-foot-8 tight end at VMI.

Raedyn Bruens is taking an unofficial visit to Rutgers football this weekend

Raedyn Bruens is on an unofficial visit to Rutgers this weekend.

Florida three-star Raedyn Bruens is at Rutgers this weekend for an unofficial visit.

The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Bruens is a member of the class of 2025. He is on an unofficial visit to Rutgers which began on Friday.

His offer in late February from Rutgers was the first from a Power Five program.

He attends Mosley High School (Lynn Haven, Florida). As a junior, he had 48 total tackles, two sacks and eight tackles for a loss.

He is a three-star according per 247Sports, and is ranked as the No. 67 edge rusher in the nation and the No. 125 player in Florida in this recruiting cycle.

In addition to Rutgers, he has been offered by Florida A&M, Jacksonville State, FAU, UMass, South Florida, Troy, Tulane and Western Kentucky.

 

Following the offer, Bruens talked to Rutgers Wire and shared his feelings about the Big Ten program

“I got on the phone with the head coach the biggest message was F.T.C – F.A.M.I.L.Y., Trust (and) CHOP,” Bruens told Rutgers Wire in late February.

“I love how when talking they wanted to get to know me before they gave the offer.

“They talked about how they won their bowl game and how they are on pace to have some more good seasons.”

Rutgers football is the third offer for Layton von Brandt

Layton von Brandt was offered by Rutgers football on Thursday.

A Thursday visit to Rutgers football netted an offer for Layton von Brandt. It was the third overall offer for von Brandt and the first from a Big Ten program.

The Rutgers offer represents a second Power Five offer in von Brandt’s recruitment.

A class of 2027 recruit, von Brandt plays for Appoquinimink (West Middletown, Delaware). Last season, the Jaguars went 6-5 and lost to Sussex Central 28-7 in the state playoffs.

He holds previous offers from Charlotte and Syracuse. The offer from the Orange came in late February.

He checks in at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds.

Although he plays both sides of the line, the offer from Rutgers is for von Brandt as an offensive lineman.

On Thursday, von Brandt posted about the Rutgers offer on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter). He tagged Rutgers football head coach [autotag]Greg Schiano[/autotag] on the social media post:

 

The offer came while on a visit to Rutgers for a spring unofficial visit.

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His brother is Ryan von Brandt, who is now a 6-foot-8 tight end at VMI. In high school, Ryan von Brandt was a quarterback.

On Thursday, Rutgers hosted a number of top recruits for a spring practice. Among the group in attendance were three-star edge Haleem Muhammad and Jayden Loftin, a three-star edge rusher from nearby Somerville, New Jersey.

 

 

Rutgers football is the latest to offer Jayden Loftin

Rutgers football offered a top athlete in New Jersey on Thursday.

Jayden Loftin was offered by Rutgers football on Thursday as the Scarlet Knights officially got involved with one of the top defensive ends in the nation.

Loftin is a local product located just minutes away from Rutgers in Somerville (Somerville, New Jersey). He is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound edge who is ranked a three-star by Rivals.

He is a class of 2025 prospect and boasts an extensive offer list. He was on campus for an unofficial visit to see a spring practice.

Offered by Boston College, UConn, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Minnesota, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee and Wisconsin among others, Loftin now counts in-state Rutgers as offer No. 17 in his recruitment.

He is the No. 24 player in the state according to Rivals.

On Thursday afternoon, Loftin posted on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) about the offer from the Scarlet Knights.

 

Thursday was a busy day for Rutgers football as Haleem Muhammad announced that he will be taking an official visit to Rutgers.

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The 2025 recruiting class currently stands at four commits for Rutgers, including three from New Jersey. The most recent addition in the class came within the past week with the commitment of three-star defensive back Renick ‘Stretch’ Dorilas.

Dorilas will play his senior season at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey).