Tag: Rutgers football recruiting

Watch: Rutgers football commit K.J. Duff is the PIX 11 Athlete of the Week

Rutgers football commit K.J. Duff is having a strong senior season for St. Anthony’s/

K.J. Duff has been having a very strong senior season, this as the Rutgers football commit is beginning to ready himself for Big Ten football next year.

A class of 2024 commit to Rutgers, Duff projects as a wide receiver or even a tight end at St. Anthony’s (Melville, New York). He committed to Rutgers over the summer and is one of the top players in New York this season.

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound athlete is versatile and strong. He is a four-star according to On3 and Rivals.

Last month, Duff was recently offered by  Tennessee, a sign of his continued growth and development. On the season, even while often being double-teamed, Duff has 40 catches for 706 yards with six touchdowns.

Check out this feature from PIX 11 on Duff and the impact he has had his senior season:

He holds a strong offer list that includes Miami, North Carolina and Syracuse among others.

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On Saturday, Rutgers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) will host No. 1 Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten). Kickoff is 12:00 PM ET and the game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.

This week, Ohio State was named the top team in the nation in the College Football Playoff Rankings.

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Duff is expected to be a part of a star-studded group of recruits for the game.

Rutgers football linebackers coach C.J. Hetherman spotted on a recruiting trip in Tallahassee

Corey Hetherman was in Florida recruiting this weekend.

This weekend, Rutgers football is using their bye to hit the recruiting trail. Nearly the entire Rutgers coaching staff is out this weekend, making stops in the tri-state area and Florida.

One of those coaches is Corey Hetherman, who was spotted on Friday at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida.

Lincoln is where Rutgers football commit Samarian Robinson plays his high school football. Robinson is a three-star linebacker who was committed to UCF until re-opening his recruitment in June.

He took an official visit to Rutgers in June and committed to the Big Ten program shortly thereafter. Robinson is a member of a very solid 2024 recruiting class for Rutgers.

Hetherman is the Rutgers linebacker coach.

Robinson also held offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, UCF and Louisville among others.

In 2022 as a junior at Lincoln, he had 63 total tackles along with two fumble recoveries and a pass defended. This season in six games, he has 57 total tackles.

Rutgers football recruit Jaelyne Matthews de-commits from Penn State

Jaelyne Matthews de-commits from Penn State.

Jaelyene Matthews de-committed from Penn State on Tuesday afternoon. The four-star offensive lineman from New Jersey received his first offer from Rutgers football as a freshman.

Matthews is a member of the 2026 recruiting class and is the starting offensive tackle for Toms River North (Toms River, N.J.) Last year he was invited to participate in the 2025 Under Armour All-America Game, a prestigious national high school all-star game that airs on ESPN.

He is 6-foot-6 and 300-pounds and also plays as a defensive tackle. He moves very well and gets into the second level with relative ease.

His combination of strength, bend and footwork is impressive.

He holds offers from Georgia, Ohio State and Penn State in addition to Rutgers.

Matthews posted the news on Tuesday afternoon via his social media:

 

Matthews committed to Penn State in January following an unofficial visit.

He has been a visitor to Rutgers on multiple occasions.

Rutgers football: A big recruiting weekend and a possible sell-out for the season opener

Rutgers football is hosting some bigtime recruits on Sunday.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers football will be hosting a number of top-tier recruits and commits this weekend for their season opener. It is an impressive haul for the Big Ten program.

The tturnout is especially impressive given that Rutgers is playing on Labor Day weekend and on a Sunday afternoon, not exacttly the usual time slot for college football. But Sunday’s impressive number of commits and recruits will give Rutgers a chance to showcase their development and growth under head coach Greg Schiano.

Sunday’s game against Norhtwestern (12:00 PM ET, CBS) is trending towards a sell-out. 

Here is an updated list of the recruits who are expected to attend Sunday’s season opener for Rutgers football. Each player is linked to either their recruiting profile or more pertainent information.

Bold denotes a Rutgers football committ:

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Isaiah Crumpler breaks down strong start to the season and his upcoming visit to Rutgers

Rutgers football commit Isaiah Crumpler has had a strong start to his senior season.

Isaiah Crumpler is off to a strong start this season, the Rutgers football commit showing why he is such a big part of the Big Ten program’s recruiting class.

A 6-foot, 175-pound wide receiver, Crumpler is picking up from last season when had 55 catches for 614 yards with five touchdowns for D.H. Conley (Greenville, N.C.). This past weekend in a 27-0 win at Washington (Washington, N.C.), Crumpler had over 100 receiving yards with three touchdowns. Also playing as a defensive back, he had an interception.

At the time of his commitment, he held Power Five offers from Duke and Rutgers. He also has significant offers from the likes of Charlotte, East Carolina and James Madison.

Crumpler will be on campus this weekend for an unofficial visit and to check out the season opener on Sunday against Northwestern

I’m excited, I’ll be going to that first game. This time around, I’ll know the coaches and players more which is good,” Crumpler told Rutgers Wire.

“Hoping to see a good game and a Rutgers win, obviously.”

Crumpler, a very down-to-earth and humble recruit, is focused on the team side this fall with Conley. But personally, he is hoping to show a more rounded and complete side to his game.

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He hopes to enroll early at Rutgers in January and has already begun the application process.

As for position versatility, Crumpler certainly has a high ceiling at defensive back. But there is no questioning that he can be a playmaker at wide receiver when he arrives at Rutgers.

“I really don’t know what they have for me but I know I’ll be starting at the WR position,” Crumpler said.

“I like it a lot, I like playing wide receiver.”

Crumpler said he hopes to also make the Rutgers home game against Virginia Tech in the third week of the season.

In terms of his recruitment, Crumpler said it is closed and no programs are reaching out to him. He said he has a close relationship with coach Dave Brock (wide receivers) and Milton Cordero (quality control).

This Thursday, Crumpler’s D.H. Conley plays at Hunt High School (Wilson, N.C.). Both programs enter the game at 1-1.

“I’ll say it’s a big game for us to keep going that path and build on this past weekend,” Crumpler said. “It is an important one for us to get that win and really keep growing in the right direction.”

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Film breakdown: Rutgers football lands three-star recruit Kevin Levy

Rutgers football landed their sixth 2024 prospect from Florida with three-star defensive back Kevin Levy verbally committed to the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers football landed their sixth 2024 prospect from Florida when three-star defensive back Kevin Levy verbally committed to the Scarlet Knights.

Levy chose Rutgers over several other Power Five offers from Arkansas, Florida, Boston College, Florida State, Indiana, Kentucky, Miami, Minnesota, NC State, Pittsburgh, and Texas A&M.

The 6-foot, 178-pound recruit is from Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, and got recruited as a defensive back despite being a two-way player. As a junior in high school, Levy recorded 19 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns as a wide receiver on offense. Also, he logged 23 tackles, nine solo tackles, and three pass breakups on defense.

According to 247Sports, Levy is the No. 60 ranked prospect in Florida and is ranked No. 44 nationally for his position among his 2024 recruiting class. Also, the new Scarlet Knight is ranked the No. 449 prospect in the nation.

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Levy’s Film Breakdown

Levy’s athletic stats, according to hudl.com

  • 100 Meters – 10.62 seconds as a junior
  • 200 Meters – 21.5 seconds
  • 4x State Champion for track

Joining the Scarlet Knights as a defensive back, this 2024 recruit is a diverse player who can play safety and cornerback. With his background as a wide receiver, Levy has excellent ball skills and instincts.

Levy can be a plug-in player for Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak. Levy doesn’t have a ton of open-field tackles in his highlight reel but can hawk down ball carriers. Levy adds athleticism and speed to Rutgers’ 2024 roster.

As time passes, Levy can move to wide receiver later in his Rutgers career. Levy can be similar to Rutgers’ current wide receiver Chris Long, switching positions from defensive back to wide receiver. Levy is a solid addition to Rutgers football as he can develop into a highly recruited player for the Scarlet Knights.

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Film Review: Rutgers landed four-star defensive back Kaj Sanders

Rutgers added four-star recruit Kaj Sanders to their 2024 roster, making him the highest-rated commit for Greg Schiano in the Class of 2024.

Rutgers football added four-star prospect Kaj Sanders to their 2024 roster last weekend, making him the highest-rated commit for Greg Schiano in the Class of 2024. The New Jersey native from Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey) elected to stay home, choosing Rutgers over North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.

The 6-foot-1 defensive back helped the Crusaders win back-to-back state titles, recording 40 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and six pass deflections in his junior season. During his sophomore and junior season, Sanders was a two-way player, logging 32 rushes for 261 yards on 8.2 yards per carry and three touchdowns.

According to Rivals, Sanders is a top five player in the state and the No. 30 safety in the nation.


Film Breakdown

Below are Sanders’s athletic stats according to Hudl.com 
40 Yard Dash Bench Press 185 LBS Bench Press (Reps) Squats (lbs)
4.5 Seconds 250 lbs 17 375 lbs

Watching his junior season highlights, you can see Sanders plays with elite speed and athleticism. He has excellent ball instincts and will be the perfect piece for Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak. 

Harasymiak can have Sanders play the rover position as a defensive back, with the ability to roam freely in the middle of the field. He can bait opposing quarterbacks into poor decisions while rolling down to linebacker depth to support the run defense. Harasymiak can create pressure packages on third downs, trying to have Sanders play havoc in the secondary. 

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Sanders’s ability to rally to the football and quick decision-making will allow him to shoot up the depth chart when he reports to campus in 2024. His strength and physicality will be a solid addition to the Scarlet Knights’ defense. 

The commitment of Sanders allows Harasymiak and Schiano to move their defensive scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4, or 3-3-5, showing off Sanders’s coverage skills. Moving to a 3-4 or 3-3-5 would mean more 1-on-1 situations for opposing offenses, allowing Sanders to roam in Rutgers’ secondary. 

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Film Review: Rutgers lands 2024 strongside defensive end Tyclean Luman

Rutgers football landed 2024 strongside defensive end Tyclean Luman, brother of Rutgers 2024 recruit Tycoolhill Luman, to their 2024 class.

Early last month, Rutgers landed 2024 strongside defensive end Tyclean Luman, brother of Rutgers 2024 recruit Tycoolhill Luman. Rutgers football added two Florida recruits to their 2024 class, adding some impressive pieces on the defensive side of the ball. 

The 6-foot-3, 252 pounds Florida native from Miami, FL, is a three-star edge rusher. The Miami native received offers from Indiana, Louisville, Minnesota, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Syracuse, and West Virginia. He has size, length, and athleticism that can boost Rutgers’ defense.

According to Rivals.com, Luman is ranked No. 97 in Florida and No. 43 among his recruiting class for his position. He has a 5.7 Rivals Rating, making him a three-star recruit.

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While playing at Miami Jackson High School, Luman recorded 63 tackles, 12 sacks, one interception, and 26 tackles for loss last season.

Film Breakdown

Like his brother Tycoolhill, Tyclean is a speedy relentless edge player who can play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme. Luman can perform damage in nickel sets, rushing after the quarterback in passing situations.

Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak can design packages allowing Luman to drop back into coverage. For a defensive lineman, Luman has excellent hands and can snag interceptions when dropping into coverage.

Luman can be a solid piece for Haraymaik’s defense, lining up anywhere on the field. Haraymiak can have Luman line up as nose guard in passing situations, using his speed and quickness to cause havoc up the middle.

The three-star recruit has a motor that never stops, providing multiple pass-rush moves when getting after the quarterback. He has excellent discipline and football IQ, maintaining outside leverage in rushing situations. Tyclean can be a multi-year starter for the Scarlet Knights, as the Luman brothers can be a dynamic duo in the Big Ten Conference.

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Film Breakdown: Four-Star 2024 recruit Korey Duff commits to Rutgers

Rutgers football snags its first four-star recruit to its 2024 recruiting class with the verbal commitment from Korey Duff Jr. 

Rutgers football snags its first four-star recruit to its 2024 recruiting class with the verbal commitment from Korey Duff Jr. The New York native from St. Anthony’s in Melville, New York, is a high-profile pass catcher in the northeast region. Duff is a hybrid player who can play wide receiver and tight end.

Duff is the No. 1 ranked player from New York and No. 18 for his position among his 2024 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com. Also, Duff won wide receiver MVP during a prospect camp hosted by Rivals.com this summer, according to NJ.com. His commitment to Rutgers football marks the third consecutive year that Schiano recruited the top-ranked player from New York.

The New York native received 21 offers, including North Carolina, Texas A&M, Miami, Pitt, Arizona State, Duke, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia.

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As a sophomore in high school, Duff recorded 35 catches for 682 yards and scored five touchdowns, averaging 19.5 yards per catch in nine games. The 6-foot-5 207 pounds tight end logged 42 catches for 995 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Friars last season.

Film Breakdown

Duff is not your traditional tight end, performing most of his damage in the slot. He’s not your standard hand on the ground tight end, running multiple different route combinations. Duff offers diversity to any offense he plays with because of his hybrid ability.

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Rutgers offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca will enjoy designing plays for this 2024 recruit. Ciarrocca can dial up tunnel and bumble screens for Duff, showing off his athleticism in space. Also, Ciarrocca will love Duff’s ability to block, opening up holes for Ciarricca’s zone running scheme. He is a mismatch for opposing defenses when lined up in the slot, outrunning many linebackers.

Duff can be an excellent safety blanket for future Rutgers quarterbacks. Duff was recruited as a tight end but might end up as a wide receiver on the depth chart when he reports to campus. Watch out for this 2024 recruit, as Duff can be a high-level Power Five player.

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Film Study: Is 2024 recruit Samarian Robinson a standout linebacker?

Rutgers landed a big-time recruit when linebacker Samarian Robinson committed to Rutgers football. Can Robinson become a standout player?

The Scarlet Knights landed a big-time recruit when linebacker Samarian Robinson committed to Rutgers football last week. The three-star 2024 recruit committed to UCF but elected to play for Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights following an official visit to the program.

The 6-foot-3 220 pounds inside linebacker plays for Lincoln High School (Tallahassee, FL) and is a tremendous athlete. Robinson recently ran a verified time of 4.6 in the 40 while boasting an 81-inch wingspan and a 17-inch neck. The Flordia native recorded 93 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and a pass breakup last season.

According to On3, the new Scarlet Knight is ranked No. 92 in Florida and No. 71 among linebackers in the 2024 recruiting class. The 2024 prospect received recent offers from Arizona and Colorado. Robinson’s commitment marks the fifth recruit from Flordia for Rutgers football.

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Film Breakdown

When watching Robinson’s junior season film, you can tell Robinson has the size for the Power Five level. Robinson is physical, an important trait to have when playing in the Big Ten Conference. He is a strong tackler who has excellent length.

The 2024 recruit has an endless motor that he uses every snap. Watching the film, Robinson makes multiple tackles and plays when pursuing from the opposite side of the field. You can’t teach hustle, it’s a mindset, and Robinson certainly has it.

Robinson’s run reads need some development as he is a little slow in reacting to running plays. He has a bad habit of reading the running backs instead of the linemen up front. Reading the offensive line will allow you to play downhill football rather than sitting back and playing hesitate. Robinson’s quickness and speed make up for his slow initial play recognition.

Nevertheless, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano and defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak will mold Robinson into a standout linebacker for Rutgers football. His size and athletic ability will allow him to develop into a solid player in the Big Ten.

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