Four-star offensive lineman Rowan Byrne will be at Rutgers this Wednesday as the Big Ten program is trending well with the standout from New York.
Byrne had a strong junior season for Iona Prep (New Rochelle, New York) before fracturing his fibula and suffering a grade III high ankle sprain back in early October. He is among the most highly-recruited offensive linemen in the nation with offers from Baylor, Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Rutgers among others.
He is the No. 1 ranked player in New York according to Rivals. Last year, K.J. Duff, the top-ranked player in New York, committed to Rutgers.
Rutgers and head coach Greg Schiano has been on Byrne for a long time and it is paying off. Byrne said of his interest in the school that “They are 100 percent (in contention for me). I love Rutgers.”
“The visit with Rutgers was great,” Byrne told Rutgers Wire this week.
“I love coach Schiano, he’s got a serious vision for the program – a lot of coaches do – but what’s different is it’s coming together and we’re seeing each year the progress he’s making and what he’s talking about is truly happening.”
Another component of the Rutgers recruitment effort is Byrne’s emerging relationship with Pat Flaherty. The Rutgers offensive line coach is the most experienced coach at his position in Power Five football.
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Flaherty spent over two decades in the NFL as an offensive line coach. He won two Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants.
“It’s developed well, he is one of the best offensive line coaches ever and that speaks for itself,” Byrne said.
“But he’s a great man too.”
As would be expected, Byrne is busy with his recruitment. His rehab for his season-ending injury is on schedule and he has a full schedule of visits this month.
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“I plan on being at Rutgers tomorrow (Wednesday),” Byrne said.
“I was at Penn State on Saturday and might be at Michigan this weekend.”
Byrne is looking to make a commitment potentially in June.