Tag: 2024 Rutgers recruit

Rutgers Basketball: 2024 commit Ace Bailey is the No. 1 prospect in Georgia

Rutgers basketball five-star 2024 recruit Airious “Ace” Bailey is Georgia’s top senior boys basketball player this season.

Rutgers basketball five-star 2024 recruit Airious “Ace” Bailey is Georgia’s top senior boys basketball player this season as he guides McEachern High School to the No. 2 ranking school in the state.

Bailey, a 6-foot-10 small forward from McEachern, Georgia, is the state’s No. 1 boys basketball recruit this season and the No. 3 prospect in the nation, according to 247Sports. On November 11, 2023, Bailey signed his letter of intent with Rutgers basketball as he became the first five-star recruit in their 2024 recruiting class.

The Powder Springs, Georgia standout has guided McEachern High School to a 13-5 recruit this season. In 18 games this season, Bailey has averaged 26 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and logged 33 total three-pointers.

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Rutgers added one of the best players in the country when Bailey signed with the Scarlet Knights. He can play and guard every position on the floor while showing off his athleticism. He plays way above the rim, scoring and grabbing multiple rebounds at the small forward position. Bailey can shoot the rock and facilitate the basketball when needed.

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This 2024 recruit will bring instant offense for the Scarlet Knights next season, with the ability to score points off the dribble and raise his level of play against the top competition.

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Rutgers basketball commit Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey shows off his NBA read moves with a clutch game winner

Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey made a clutch game winner over the weekend.

Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey is the real deal, as the Rutgers basketball signee hit the game winner for his team over the weekend. And Bailey made it look super smooth in the process.

Bailey is a five-star forward who made everything official with Rutgers during the early signing period. At 6-foot-9, the McEachern (Powder Springs, Georgia) talent is a very smooth and effortless player.

Bailey is the No. 3 recruit in the nation per ESPN.

He certainly made this shot from the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions (played at the Great Southern Banks Arena in Springfield, Missouri) look quite natural.

Check out the shot here from Bailey. Just routine from the five-star forward:

 

Bailey’s show gave McEachern a 61-59 win over Edmond North (Edmond, Oklahoma). With the win, McEachern is now 13-4 on the season.

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One of the four losses came three weeks ago to No. 11 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey). In that game, Bailey played against his future Rutgers basketball teammate Dylan Harper, a five-star guard who committed to the program in mid-December.

On Sunday night, Harper had 22 points (8-for-18 shooting) along with seven rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes played. It wasn’t enough as Don Bosco lost 74-67 to Archbishop Stepinac in the Hoophall Classic.

Film Review: How can Dino Kaliakmanis fit into the Rutgers football offense?

Film Study: Rutgers added another offensive weapon to their 2024 roster when former Minnesota Dino Kaliakmanis committed to Rutgers football.

During the early signing period, Rutgers football added another piece to the offense when former Minnesota wide receiver Dino Kaliakmanis committed  via the transfer portal.

Kaliakmanis appeared in five games with the Golden Gophers without any notable stats.. While attending Antioch High School in Antioch, Illinois, Kaliakmanis recorded had 12 catches for 294 yards with two touchdowns as a junior.

Kaliakmanis was also a multi-sport athlete, taking part in his high school’s state-qualifying 1,600-meter relay team.

According to Rivals, the former Golden Gopher was the No. 16 prospect in Illinois and the No. 85 ranked wide receiver in as a senior in high school. As a transfer player, Kaliakmanis was ranked the No. 91 wide receiver and the No. 640 overall player in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.

He is the brother of former Golden Gophers’ quarterback  Athan Kaliakmanis, who committed to Rutgers in the transfer portal this offseason.

Film Study

Kaliakmanis has played multiple offensive positions throughout his career, utilizing his speed at each position. The new Scarlet Knight isn’t the quickest off the ball, but he runs excellent routes, allowing him to get open down the field.

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As Kaliakmanis gets going in the open field, he builds up speed, making it difficult for opponents to catch him. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver has experience returning kicks and can add depth on Rutgers special teams in 2024.

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He offers good length and size for the Scarlet Knights, but Kaliakmanis will need to beat out other recruits and existing players if he wants to see action in 2024.

 

Film Analysis: What does three-star commit Farell Gnago bring to Rutgers football?

Film Review: On December 20, three-star 2024 recruit Farell Gnago signed with Rutgers football.

During the early signing period three-star 2024 recruit Farell Gnago signed with Rutgers. It was a solid get for the Scarlet Knights late in the recruiting cycle.

At the time of his December offer, Gnago was committed to Kent State and had just received an offer from Michigan State. The edge rusher from Canada elected to take an official visit to Rutgers football and days later, committed to play for Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights.

While playing for Tony Iadeluca at College André-Grasset in Quebec, Gnago posted 47 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks, five forced fumbles, and three pass breakups in his final season. The defensive lineman helped his team to six victories and a championship game appearance in 2023. Gnago was selected to the RESQ D1 All-Star Team for his performance during his senior year.

According to 247Sports, Gnago is ranked the No. 1 prospect in Québec and is ranked No. 174 defensive lineman among his 2024 recruiting class.

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But, he is seriously under-the-radar and under-ranked.

Film Review

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive lineman offers good size and length on the defensive line for the Scarlet Knights. Gnago offers high-end speed as a defensive lineman, running a 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds. When rushing the quarterback, the Canadian prospect uses his hands and physicality to shed opposing blocks.

Gnago has raw talent with a motor that doesn’t end, making him an ideal candidate for pass-rushing situations. He tends to fly around, leaving his gap unassigned. With the Scarlet Knights playing gap-controlled defense, this is an area Gnago would need to focus on.

Schiano will love Gnago’s speed and relentless energy as he develops this 2024 recruit into a Power Five defensive lineman.

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Film Review: 2024 recruit Gabe Winowich can be a starting running back for Rutgers football

Gabriel Winowich signed with Rutgers football, giving the Big Ten program a versatile and talented athlete.

During the early signing period, Gabriel Winowich signed with Rutgers football, giving the Big Ten program a versatile and talented athlete with strong measurables. The former Notre Dame prospect signed with the Scarlet Knights after receiving offers from Marshall and Maryland.

The Lawrenceville, New Jersey native recorded 1,161 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 10.1 yards per catch for the Irish during his senior season. The 2024 four-star recruit is the No. 3 prospect in New Jersey and ranked No. 18 among his recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

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Athleticism stats are according to Hudl.com:

40 Yard Dash Shuttle Vertical Bench 185 Ibs. Bench Press Squats Deadlifts Clean
4.48 Seconds 3.98 Seconds 38 inches 385 Ibs. 40 Reps 505 Ibs. 515 Ibs. 315 Ibs.

Winowich is a high-talented running back that has explosiveness out of the backfield. He is a good-sized running back, weighing in at 220 pounds. The 2024 prospect can run defenders over or outrun them with his blazing speed.

He is shifty when running the football and offers a nice stiff arm when breaking tackles. Winowich can play in multiple offensive schemes, like zone running or the Power I. In the passing game, Winowich is deadly in the screen game.

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As Winowich progresses to the next level, pass protection will be an area of development for the young prospect.

 

Rutgers 2024 recruit Korey “KJ” Duff Jr. received the Offensive MVP Award in the Senior Bowl

Rutgers recruit Korey “KJ” Duff Jr. received the Offensive MVP Award in the New York Catholic High School Football League senior bowl game.

On Sunday, Rutgers football 2024 recruit Korey “KJ” Duff Jr. received the Offensive MVP Award in the New York Catholic High School Football League’s Senior Bowl.

This caps off an impressive season for Duff, who is a four-star recruit.

During his senior season, Duff Jr. guided St. Anthony’s (Melville, New York) to a 6-4 record, ranking the Friars No. 6 in New York’s High School Football rankings. While playing for the Friars in 2023, the future Scarlet Knight recorded 55 catches for 929 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in nine games. He finished his senior season with 929 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

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Duff was a matchup nightmare in high school and will look to continue that trend on the Power Five level. He has excellent hands and is a weapon in the red zone. He is a tight-end / wide-receiver hybrid with a great catch radius and solid body control, showing those skills off in the senior bowl game. Duff Jr’s smooth and precise route running will allow him to be a vertical threat and dangerous after the catch at the collegiate level.

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In three seasons with the Friars, Duff Jr. logged 132 receptions for 2606 yards and 26 touchdowns in 28 games. He averaged 93.1 yards per game and 19.7 yards per catch throughout those 28 games. According to 247Sports, the future Scarlet Knight is the No. 1 prospect in New York and is the No. 26 ranked tight-end among his recruiting class.

 

 

Rutgers 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders advances to the NJSIAA Non-Public A Championship

Rutgers 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders and the Bergen Catholic Crusaders defeated Donovan Catholic to advance to NJ’s Non-Public A Championship. 

On Friday, Rutgers football 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders and the Bergen Catholic Crusaders defeated Donovan Catholic, 42-13, to advance to New Jersey’s High School Football Non-Public A Championship.

The four-star recruit recorded a season-high rushing yards (188) in the semifinal round, helping his team advance to their third consecutive Non-Public A Championship.

Sanders played a focal point in the Crusaders’ semifinal victory, recording three touchdowns in three of the four quarters. The future Scarlet Knight recorded 14 carries for 188 yards and three rushing touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per attempt. Sanders’s longest rush came in the third quarter when he recorded a 78-yard touchdown, improving the Crusaders lead to 35-7.

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Through 11 games of his senior season, Sanders has recorded 104 carries for 937 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, averaging nine yards per carry. Sanders is ranked No. 41 in New Jersey with his 15 recorded touchdowns.

For his Bergen Catholic career, the Oradell, New Jersey, native has logged 153 carries for 1307 yards and 19 touchdowns in 34 games.

On the other side of the ball, Sanders added two tackles against the Griffins to increase his total tackles to 34 this season. In three seasons with the Crusaders, Sanders has registered 88 total tackles.

According to 247Sports, Sanders is the No. 8 ranked prospect in New Jersey and No. 59 for his position among his 2024 recruiting class.

On Tuesday, November 28, Sanders will lead the Crusaders against the Delbarton Green Wave in the Non-Public Group A Championship.

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Rutgers football: 2024 three-star recruit Sam Pilof was named to Wisconsin’s All-State Team

Rutgers recruit Sam Pilof was named to Wisconsin’s All-State Team. Pilof was among five other middle linebackers to receive this honor.

On Tuesday, Rutgers 2024 three-star recruit Sam Pilof was named to Wisconsin’s All-State Team. Pilof was among five middle linebackers to receive this prestigious honor.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound middle linebacker finished his senior season with 100 tackles and helped the Cardinals capture a 9-2 record with the No. 2 spot in the Big Eight standings. Also, he is a John Anderson Award Semi-finalist, an award given to the top senior linebacker in the state.

Throughout his three seasons with the Cardinals, Pilof received First Team All-Conference honors as a sophomore (2021) and Second Team as a junior (2022). Also, Pilof was named to the Wisconsin All-Region Team for his solid performance during his senior season.

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In 11 games this season, the Cardinals’ team captain recorded double-digit tackles five times. Throughout the season, Pilof demonstrated his abilities to play at the Power Five level, chasing ball carriers down from various angles as opponents ran away from him.

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According to 247Sports, Pilof is the No. 8 prospect in Wisconsin and the No. 75 linebacker among his 2024 recruiting class. When Pilof reports to campus in 2024, head coach Greg Schiano and defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak will probably switch him back to his natural position as an outside linebacker because of his athleticism.

 

How did Rutgers’ three-star 2024 recruit Sam Pilof finish his senior season?

Rutgers recruit Sam Pilof finished his senior season with 100 tackles and got named a John Anderson Award Semi-finalist in Wisconsin.

With the conclusion of the 2023 season, Rutgers football three-star 2024 recruit Sam Pilof finished his senior season with 100 tackles for the Middleton High School (Wisconsin) Cardinals and was named to the Wisconsin All-Region Team.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound outside linebacker finished his senior season with 20 solo and 80 assisted tackles in 11 games. The John Anderson Award Semi-finalist added six tackles for loss, five sacks, one fumble recovery, and an interception returned for a touchdown this past season. Also, the future Scarlet Knight was used on special teams this past season, logging four kick returns for 245 yards and a touchdown.

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Pilof finished his senior season ranked No. 92 in Wisconsin for his 100 total tackles. Also, the middle linebacker was ranked No. 115 in Wisconsin for his five sacks.

Pilof shifted to middle linebacker this past season after playing stand-up edge defender for the previous two seasons. Pilof appeared in 29 games (three seasons) for the Cardinals, recording 266 total tackles for his high school career. Throughout the past three seasons with the Cardinals, the three-star prospect has logged 37 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles, and an interception.

 

Pilof is among five other candidates for the John Anderson Award for their efforts this past season. The John Anderson Award is given annually to the state’s top senior linebacker. Fans can vote for this Wisconsin Senior Football Award with polls ending on Tuesday at 8 p.m. According to Wisconsin Sports Network, the fan vote will contribute one-eighth of the final vote.

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After a First Team All-Conference nod as a sophomore (2021), Pilof received Second Team last year (2022) and will make First Team again this season (2023), with more hardware on its way.

 

Rutgers football 2024 commit Sam Pilof was named to the Wisconsin All-Region Team

Rutgers football 2024 recruit Sam Pilof was named to the Wisconsin All-Region Team for his solid performance during the 2023 season.

Rutgers football three-star commit Sam Pilof was named to the Wisconsin All-Region Team for his solid performance during the 2023 season.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound outside linebacker / tight end recorded 100 tackles for the Middleton High School Cardinals this past season. In 11 games, the future Scarlet Knight recorded 20 solo, 80 assisted, and six tackles for loss. Also, he added five sacks, one fumble recovery, and an interception returned for a touchdown.

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His best performance this past season came against Madison Memorial, where Pilof recorded 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks in a 28-20 victory. The star linebacker helped guide the Cardinals to a regular season record of 9-2 (6-2 conference) and the No. 2 spot in Winsonsin’s Big Eight standings.

Pilof appeared in 29 games for the Cardinals, recording 266 total tackles for his high school career. Throughout the past three seasons with the Cardinals, the three-star prospect has logged 37 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles, and an interception.

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Pilof shifted to middle linebacker this past season after playing stand-up edge defender for the previous two seasons. When Pilof reports to campus in 2024, head coach Greg Schiano and defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak will probably switch him back to outside linebacker because of his athleticism. According to 247Sports, Pilof is the No. 8 prospect in Wisconsin and the No. 75 linebacker among his 2024 recruiting class.