Jesse Ofurie is one of the most interesting members of the 2023 Rutgers football recruiting class. The Massachusetts native out of St. John’s Prep High School is already enrolled with the program.
Ofurie, from Salem, Massachusetts, played wide receiver and corner for the Eagles, helping them to an 11-2 record and MIAA state title as a senior. In 2022, Ofurie got selected as a Catholic Conference All-Star. Ofurie had a breakout season as a junior, catching 27 passes for 828 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns. In 2021, he earned an honorable mention all-state award from the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association.
[lawrence-related id=23263]
According to ESPN, Ofurie was a top receiver prospect in Massachusetts and was ranked eighth overall in the state. 247Sports ranked the three-star recruit as No. 10 overall in Massachusetts and the No. 139 wide receiver in the country.
Film Breakdown
Ofurie (6-2/205 Ibs.) will provide a much-needed boost to Rutgers’ depth at wide receiver. In 2023, the Scarlet Knights will be searching for young talent on the outside, especially with the departure of Shameen Jones, Sean Ryan, and Aron Cruickshank.
[lawrence-related id=22602]
Rutgers’ new addition will help the development of their young quarterback Gavin Wimsatt. Ofurie has a big frame and is explosive off the line of scrimmage. His release off the ball beats a lot of press coverage, making him difficult to cover man to man. He is a quarterback’s best friend, adjusting too under thrown balls. Ofurie has strong hands, holding onto passes thrown into traffic. During jump balls, Ofurie does an excellent job catching the ball at its highest point. Rutgers’s recruit can be an addition on special teams, where he returned kicks in high school.
It is yet to be seen if Ofurie can block on the outside, something he should focus on when he begins practicing with the Scarlet Knights.
[lawrence-related id=25346]
[mm-video type=video id=01gwsjwqy626t5gpw8bn playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gwsjwqy626t5gpw8bn/01gwsjwqy626t5gpw8bn-21943312956c13b8bbf301363aa9ba46.jpg]