Category: Rutgers recruiting

Watch: Rutgers football commit Rashad Rochelle scores nine (yes, not a typo) touchdowns in a game

Rutgers football commit Rashad Rochelle scores nine touchdowns in playoff win on Friday night.

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Rashad Rochelle had a tremendous Friday night, the three-star Rutgers verbal showcasing his ability to be an impact player at the next level.

Rochelle, who plays quarterback for Springfield High School (IL), is coming to Rutgers as a wide receiver. He had 401 yards of total offense in a playoff 94-72 win over Rock Island. That’s football, not basketball mind you.

A real defensive battle that one turned out to be…

All kidding aside, the Rutgers commit was simply tremendous. Rochelle was 9-of-16 for 263 yards and six touchdowns passing the ball, running for another 184 yards and three touchdowns. That is an insanely gaudy stat line from the senior quarterback.

Especially considering it was a playoff game.

A three-star recruit according to Rivals.com, he is ranked the No. 26 player in the state according to the site. Rochelle held ‘Power 5’ offers from the likes of Duke, Illinois and Purdue at the time of his commitment to the Scarlet Knights.

He attended Saturday’s Rutgers game, a 20-14 win at Illinois. Rutgers is now 4-4 (1-4 Big Ten) and hosts Wisconsin on Saturday at SHI Stadium. His parents purchased the tickets for him, just a couple of rows behind the Rutgers bench.

Rutgers lands Blair Academy 3-star tight end Mike Higgins Jr.

Rutgers football beats Illinois then gets a commitment from Blair Academy tight end Mike Higgins Jr.

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Rutgers football got a second victory on Saturday, the Scarlet Knights beating Illinois on the road and then landing tight end Mike Higgins.

Higgins, who played at Don Bosco before going for a post-graduate year at Blair, earned the offer earlier this month. The Scarlet Knights were his only FBS offer. He is a three-star recruit according to Rivals.

The 6-foot-5 Higgins has good athleticism and range, showing maturation and development during his season at Blair. He is the only current Rutgers commit who is coming in as a tight end.

 

On Saturday, Higgins’ future team beat Illinois on the road 20-14. Rutgers was solid, not turning the ball over and dominating at the line of scrimmage to even their record at 4-4 (1-4 Big Ten). The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Rutgers, all in Big Ten play.

His father, Mike Higgins Sr., was a baseball player at Rutgers who was taken in the 1993 MLB Amateur Draft by the Colorado Rockies.

What five programs are after four-star tackle Samson Okunola the hardest?

Four-star offensive lineman Samson Okunola talks about the five programs after him the hardest.

Samson Okunola is one of the top offensive linemen in the class of 2023. The four-star offensive tackle is hearing from nearly every major program in the country but he says that a handful of programs are after him the most right now.

Okunola isn’t ready to cut down his list quite yet, but the sixth-best offensive tackle in the nation and No. 1 player in Massachusetts in next year’s class is certainly intrigued by the schools chasing him the hardest. He said that Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Rutgers are showing him the most attention in their recruitment.

One program that isn’t in that group is Michigan, but the No. 6 Wolverines are making a positive impression on Okunola.

“I like their program – [I] talked with the head coach (Jim Harbaugh) a few times. He is a good person, they play good football too,” Okunola said.

“He really likes my game, how athletic I am as a lineman, and thinks Michigan would be a good place for me.”

The 6-foot-6, 295-pounds is the No. 65 player in the nation according to Rivals. He plays for Thayer Academy in Massachusetts. This week, he provided ‘Rutgers Wire’ a breakdown of the five programs he said are after him the hardest (all but Wisconsin have offered).

 

On Pittsburgh:

“I like the program. They run a good offense and the offensive line coach is a pretty good coach off what I have talked with him.”

On Notre Dame:

“Their offensive line coach – he has a history of sending offensive linemen to the NFL and developing them. Their message is that you get to play football at a higher level and get to be developed by one of the top offensive line coaches but also get a good education.”

On Northwestern:

“I like the offensive line coach. He’s a great coach off what I have talked with him and I like the idea that I get to play football against high-level teams but also like getting an Ivy League education without having to go to an Ivy.”

On Wisconsin:

“How their season is going right now will factor in my discussion but they haven’t offered me…other than that their history interests me but I still need to talk more with the coaches to further get to know them.”

On Rutgers:

“They run a good program and they have a great family aspect in the team. It is very possible they can rebuild in the future.”

What offers have come in for Davison Igbinosun since he re-opened his recruitment?

Former Rutgers football commit Davison Igbinosun counts four new offers since de-committing from the Scarlet Knights in early October.

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Since de-committing from Rutgers football on October 5, Davison Igbinosun has seen his recruitment take off. Four more offers have come in for the recently minted four-star defensive back.

The No. 1 player in New Jersey according to 247Sports, Igbinosun has seen his stock rise in recent weeks as he puts together an impressive senior season. His recent bump to four stars didn’t hurt his status either.

It is believed that Rutgers is still in the mix for Igbinosun as well as programs such as Ole Miss and Tennessee. He recently took a visit to Tennesee and it is believed that they are a major factor in his recruitment and might well be in the lead.

Rutgers recently tried to make a splash in his recruitment, with head coach Greg Schiano using a helicopter to visit the player at a recent game.

Other top programs such as Boston College, Notre Dame and Pitt are believed to not be a factor at this point.

Four programs have offered Igbinosun since he opened up his recruitment earlier this month. A look at what programs have recently joined his recruitment and what it means for one of the top remaining uncommitted players in New Jersey.

 

Which four programs are after four-star junior defensive lineman Sydir Mitchell the hardest?

Sydir Mitchell discusses his recruitment and the programs recruiting him the hardest.

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Sydir Mitchell is one of the top players in the nation for the class of 2023. So, it isn’t surprising that some national powerhouse programs are after the talented defensive lineman.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound defensive tackle has had – not shockingly – a standout junior season for north Jersey powerhouse Bergen Catholic. Mitchell with 25 total tackles, two sacks while causing one fumble and recovering a fumble. The four-star is ranked the No. 241 player in the nation according to Rivals.com.

He says that four programs have been going after him the hardest: Michigan, Texas A&M, Penn State and Rutgers.

“Recruiting has been going good. It has started to pick back up but it [has] been going pretty good,” Mitchell told ‘Rutgers Wire.’

He plans on visiting either Texas A&M or Michigan next. One factor to watch for with Mitchell is early playing time.

“It’s very important because I want to go somewhere that I known I can at my first year,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell provided a breakdown and some thoughts on these four programs. This group of four does not represent a trimming down of a list or any favorites. His list also includes offers from the likes of Boston College, Florida State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and USC among others.

On Michigan: “I love the way that they play their defense. [Defensive Line Coach Shaun] Nua is my guy. I love his energy and his passion for the game.”

On Michigan’s message to him: “[They say] That I can be a top defensive player on their team and if I keep playing the way I am playing then I will be.”

On Penn State and their recruitment of him: “[I like] the way that they play with their defensive line. They play hard and aggressive. The whole coaching staff is great. We talk maybe every other week but they are really fun people to be around there.”

On potentially visiting Penn State soon: “I will try to visit them. It just matters how my playoffs go and if we have a bye the first game but most definitely I will try to get to one of these schools.”

On Texas A&M and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson: “Oh yea, that’s my guy. I like the whole coaching staff there too. They got pieces they just got to put it all together.

On Rutgers, his interest in the in-state program: “They have been doing pretty good. They have a good class coming in and another good class coming in next year.”

On Rutgers and their rebuild: “It shows that the coaching staff really care and are trying to make their program great.”

Rutgers football first to offer 6-foot-6, 300 pound high school freshman lineman Jaelyne Matthews

Rutgers football is the first in on 6-foot-6, 300 pound offensive lineman Jaelyne Matthews.

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Jaelyne Matthews is flying high after receiving an offer from Rutgers football this. The Toms River North offensive lineman has been following the program for a while and is intrigued by the rebuilding process.

The call from the Scarlet Knights coaching staff this week marked the first offer for Matthews, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman who is a freshman.

That’s right, a freshman.

“The way I found out was me and coach [Oizerowitz], the head coach at my high school Toms River North, were on the phone with the Rutgers coaches,” Matthews told ‘Rutgers Wire’ on Thursday.

“I’m not really a stranger to the Rutgers coaches; I actually went there for a camp back in 2020. While we were on the phone we talked about my grades and what ‘CHOP’ means. Shortly after that, they gave me a committable offer to Rutgers University.”

 

This is Matthews’ first year of real training and working out. He is currently bench pressing 205 pounds and squatting 285 pounds. He has been training for the past three years with Dan Benishti, who was a standout offensive lineman in college at Montclair State University.

Matthews has started all six games for Toms River North (2-4).

Boston College visited two weeks ago and Matthews spoke with Joe Dailey, the program’s wide receivers coach. Dailey, a New Jersey native, asked Matthews his height and weight and told him to keep up his grades.

Matthews said that the Boston College assistant told him the program will be keeping up with him.

Which Rutgers football commits will have the biggest immediate impact?

Rutgers football has a tremendous recruiting class for 2022. Which players are best suited for playing time as a freshmen?

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For Rutgers football, the hope is that the 2022 recruiting class can be a gamechanger.

The 2022 recruiting class has the chance to be one of the top classes for Rutgers in the past decade and could well be the program’s best overall class since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten in 2014. With needs at offensive line, wide receiver and at defensive back, several of these recruits could well see themselves pressed into service sooner rather than later for Rutgers.

Rutgers is 3-4 on the season, having lost their first four games of the Big Ten schedule (three losses coming against the top 10 teams in the nation in the latest USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll). The need for depth is apparent, as is the overall need to continue to upgrade the roster.

A look at what Rutgers recruits could be poised for a big role as freshmen:

 

Four-star prospect Jven Williams high on Rutgers and Penn State, planning a Michigan visit

Jven Williams says that Rutgers and Penn State are recruiting him among the hardest of his 13 offers.

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Jven Williams is one of the most sought-after offensive line recruits in the nation and he’s just a junior. The four-star prospect has some of the biggest programs in the Power Five after him, with a number of Big Ten schools heavily involved.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound tackle from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, says that Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Illinois are the four programs showing him the most love. In the midst of his junior season, visits are difficult to make since his home games are on Saturdays when the vast majority of Big Ten games are being played. But Williams is interested in learning about a number of programs.

Two programs, Rutgers and Penn State, are currently showing him a lot of attention and interest, he says.

“I feel like they all really want me,” Williams told ‘Rutgers Wire’ on Tuesday. “If I had to say two it would most likely be Penn State and Rutgers; Rutgers sends a lot of mail and handwritten letters and I text the coaches almost daily.”

The Scarlet Knights are currently 3-4 and have had some struggles the past four weeks since the Big Ten schedule started. The first three losses for Rutgers came against teams currently ranked top 10 in the most recent USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. The week last week was against Northwestern, who made the Big Ten Championship Game last year.

The Big Ten struggles underscored the extent of the rebuild being undertaken by head coach Greg Schiano as well as the need for offensive linemen to step in and help. A four-star such as Williams might be able to contribute immediately.

When asked if he would embrace a team currently going through an extensive rebuild, Williams said “I would.”

“I love the idea of CHOP and the idea of rebuilding a program just as much of the idea of joining a successful program. I feel they haven’t had much luck, but I believe they have potential to be something special,” Williams said.

“Rutgers isn’t too far from here and of course I want to go to the NFL but as of right now my focus is education and when coaches communicate with me and show me love that plays a huge factor in my consideration!”

As for other programs in the mix, Williams has a lot to say about Penn State and Michigan.

The Nittany Lions as a program has left a big impression on the class of 2023 stud. Penn State is currently 5-1 and ranked eighth in the nation.

“I love the coaches; the program is awesome and they want to keep the best of Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania so I love that idea. It’s actually a bit farther than Rutgers but I love PSU,” Williams said.

“I have a great bond there when I went there the coaches were super interactive with me and my family, me and [head] coach James Franklin text every now and then, for the most part he reminds me that Penn State is the place to be, me and [offensive line] coach [Phil] Trautwein text and he checks up on me and answers any questions!”

There’s also Michigan, a program sixth in the most recent USA TODAY Sports poll. At 6-0, they are firmly in the mix for the College Football Playoff

“They offered me and I got to speak with coach [Sherrone] Moore (offensive coordinator and offensive line) and hopefully I can get up to a game, they are also very successful as of right now they’re undefeated so that’s great!” Williams said.

A visit to the Wolverines could be in the works soon.

“I have no idea my schedule with having home games Saturday mess up some opportunities so whenever I have an away game and they have a home game most likely,” Williams said.

Williams other offers are from a number of high-profile programs – 13 in total – including programs such as Boston College, Ole Miss, Tennessee and. West Virginia among others.

Rutgers ready to host dozens of commits and several four-star recruits against Ohio State

Rutgers football is set to host several big-time recruits this Saturday agains

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It is a big weekend for Rutgers football ahead of Saturday’s game against No. 11 Ohio State. For 3-1 Rutgers, it is the chance to make a national statement on the field. It is also the chance to make inroads in terms of recruiting off the field.

Roughly three dozen recruits and commits are expected at Saturday’s game at SHI Stadium. It is an opportunity for Rutgers to make an impression and continue the very solid work from the past two years in terms of landing recruits and continuing to upgrade the quality of athletes being brought in by the Scarlet Knights.

Four-star linebacker Anthony Johnson, a Rutgers verbal since the spring, will be at the game. So too will two Florida four-star players: linebacker Troy Bowles and wide receiver Santana Flemming. All three players also hold Ohio State offers.

A strong showing against the reigning Big Ten champions would be impressive and help Rutgers start their 2023 class on solid footing.

Here are the players confirmed to be in attendance on Saturday afternoon. Players in italics are current verbal commits. An asterisk denotes a player who also holds an Ohio State offer.

The players are listed in alphabetical order and include position, high school, and graduation class in parentheses:

Thomas Amankwaa (CB; Hillsborough, NJ; 2022)

Troy Bowles* (LB; Jesuit, FL; 2023)

Joe De Croce (OL; Northern Valley, NJ; 2022)

Santana Fleming (WR; American Heritage, FL; 2023)

Davison Igbinosun (S; Union, NJ; 2022)

Anthony Johnson* (LB; Norman-Goretti, PA; 2022)

Nelson Monegro (OL; Union City, NJ; 2022)

Emir Stinette (OL; Imhoptep, PA; 2022)

Famah Toure (ATH; Irvington, NJ; 2023)

Vaboue Toure (S; Irvington, NJ; 2024)

Taj White (OL; Hudson Catholic, NJ; 2022)

Watch: Four-star running back Samuel Brown shows why he’s perfect for the Rutgers offense

Rutgers football commit Samuel Brown shows off his athleticism and high ceiling with a long touchdown run on Saturday.

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Rutgers football has landed quite a prospect in four-star running back Samuel Brown. His explosiveness in the open field was on display this past weekend, backing up his status as one of the best players in the Rutgers 2022 recruiting class as well as a premier running back recruit.

Brown had a tremendous afternoon for La Salle in Saturday’s 38-14 win over McDonogh as the Rutgers commit had a 74-yard touchdown on a wheel route. The highlight play showed his athleticism, speed, and versatility.

The traits on the run make him a perfect fit for Rutgers offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson. On the run, Brown showed shiftiness and good vision to break into the open field, follow his downfield blocking and get the touchdown.

La Salle is now 5-0 on the season.

 

Brown, who committed to Rutgers in late March, is the No. 12 player in Pennsylvania according to Rivals.com and is the No. 23 running back in the nation. He held offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Maryland, Michigan State, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech among others at the time of his verbal to Rutgers.