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Saturday’s game is a big one for both Rutgers and Penn State, with bowl implications very much in play. And the popular narrative is that these types of games have a big impact on recruiting.
After all, the two Big Ten programs are separated by just a couple of hours and there is a rather significant overlap in terms of recruiting areas. Penn State has, for a long time, been the dominant player in getting top recruits from New Jersey, something that may be changing slightly with the arrival of Greg Schiano at Rutgers two years ago. But the Nittany Lions allure certainly hasn’t and won’t diminish anytime soon on the recruiting trail.
Rutgers has recruited parts of Pennsylvania effectively over the years including in and around Philadelphia. The two schools also hit up Maryland and New York as part of their shared turf battles. So it seems like the winner of Saturday’s game might have a leg up in recruiting.
But in terms of overall impact, nothing that happens on Saturday will matter as much as the big picture for recruits.
D.J. Samuels, a class of 2023 defensive end at Bergen Catholic, has offers from both programs. He is one of the top recruits in the next recruiting class, ranked No. 11 in New Jersey and a three-star according to 247Sports.
“Honestly regardless of whoever wins or losses it won’t affect my recruiting with either team,” Samuels said this week.
On the other side of the border, Austin Ramsey is a junior at Roman Catholic, a premier prep football program in Philadelphia. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound offensive lineman holds an offer from Penn State and steady interest from Rutgers. He is also a three-star according to 247 Sports.
Philadelphia has become an important recruiting hotspot for the Scarlet Knights, with two four-star players part of the 2022 class (running back Samuel Brown and Anthony Johnson) coming from the prep programs in the city.
Like Samuels, the outlook from Ramsey is far more macro than micro about Saturday’s result.
“Well, when I think about what I look for within a college, wins and losses aren’t vital. It’s going to be fun and exciting to see the outcome of the game per usual but I wouldn’t say it sways my decision,” Ramsey said.
“I’d say I’m looking for a game where the home stadium fans are going wild. I love a place with good energy.”
Penn State (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten) is looking for a win to right the ship after a tough 21-17 home loss to Michigan this past weekend. Rutgers (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) travels to Happy Valley looking for a win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2014.