Here is a look back at five conclusions we drew from being on hand for the past weekend's camps at Rutgers.
WR Isaiah Wright – Kingswood Oxford (Conn.)
Wright is pretty much the complete package at wide receiver. He always jumped to the front of the line during one-on-ones and used and quickness to continually leave defenders. Wright also plays with the physicality that is able to get him separation between other receivers. His ability to make moves after the catch may be his best attribute of all. The RU staff spent a good deal of time with Wright as he appears to be a priority in this current recruiting class. Of all the RU wide receiver targets remaining, Wright could very well be among the best of them. The weekend trip also looks to have boded well for Rutgers as it remains right in the running for Wright’s services.
DT Fred Hansard – The Hun School
Hansard is just overpowering and too much for offensive linemen to contend with at this point in time. At RU’s Friday night Big Man Academy, he looked to be a man among boys at times. He is also making a strong case for the No.1 spot in our NJVarsity preliminary Top 10 for the class of 2017. Hansard has so many tools to work with that he is likely to develop into a top national recruit. As is the case with most younger 300-pound linemen, he could stand to work on his conditioning. However, all the tools are there to make a strong case for him being the top prospect in New Jersey in the class of 2017.
RB Jon Taylor – Salem
Located deep in southern New Jersey, Salem has not been a notorious hotbed for recruiting. However, the class of 2017 product is changing that as he has already pulled in offers from the likes of Boston College, Temple and Rutgers. The RU offer came last weekend after the 6-foot, 205-pounder showed off some excellent moves at Saturday’s skills camp. Taylor already has the size to play in the Big Ten and combines the athleticism to go along with it. Rutgers looks to have wrapped up its recruiting at the running back position in the class of 2016, but look for Taylor to be among the top targets in the class of 2017. Rutgers has extended its reach beyond New Jersey in the last few classes at the running back position. Taylor has the potential to mark the return of the NJ running back in this next class.
TE Zac Crosby – Bolles (Fla.)
The Florida tight end emerged as a viable tight end prospect, catching everything that came his way. He also made a habit of beating the top linebackers in the camp in one-on-ones and even caught some passes going against RU commit Rashwan Battle. In other years, Crosby would have likely earned an offer coming out of camp, although this year is a little different when it comes to tight end recruiting. Crosby was told by the RU staff that it doesn’t necessarily need a tight end in this class and he also needs to add a little more weight. However, with Jovani Haskins and Naseir Upshur still on the board, the staff may not wish to fill that tight end spot prematurely. Crosby could be a name to keep an eye on as he currently holds just a few offers from smaller programs.
Top Ten Class of 2017 prospects
Rutgers offered a pair of 2017 targets this past weekend, both of whom have a very good chance of landing in the New jersey top 10. Union defensive end Mike Tverdov was extremely explosive of the edge at defensive end. He is already over the 220-pound mark, although does not looks as though he carries that much weight. His speed and explosion are likely to make him a top target, although RU is starting off in a very good spot with him. In a similar situation, Bridgeton athlete Markquese Bell counted RU as his second offer, to go along with a first from Temple. Bell possesses freakish athleticism and it may take some colleges a while to notice him deep in South Jersey. Getting in early on Bell could prove big for RU as the definitely looks the part of a recruit whose offer list is likely to reach well into double digits. He could play safety or receiver at the college level.
WR Isaiah Wright – Kingswood Oxford (Conn.)
Wright is pretty much the complete package at wide receiver. He always jumped to the front of the line during one-on-ones and used and quickness to continually leave defenders. Wright also plays with the physicality that is able to get him separation between other receivers. His ability to make moves after the catch may be his best attribute of all. The RU staff spent a good deal of time with Wright as he appears to be a priority in this current recruiting class. Of all the RU wide receiver targets remaining, Wright could very well be among the best of them. The weekend trip also looks to have boded well for Rutgers as it remains right in the running for Wright’s services.
DT Fred Hansard – The Hun School
Hansard is just overpowering and too much for offensive linemen to contend with at this point in time. At RU’s Friday night Big Man Academy, he looked to be a man among boys at times. He is also making a strong case for the No.1 spot in our NJVarsity preliminary Top 10 for the class of 2017. Hansard has so many tools to work with that he is likely to develop into a top national recruit. As is the case with most younger 300-pound linemen, he could stand to work on his conditioning. However, all the tools are there to make a strong case for him being the top prospect in New Jersey in the class of 2017.
RB Jon Taylor – Salem
Located deep in southern New Jersey, Salem has not been a notorious hotbed for recruiting. However, the class of 2017 product is changing that as he has already pulled in offers from the likes of Boston College, Temple and Rutgers. The RU offer came last weekend after the 6-foot, 205-pounder showed off some excellent moves at Saturday’s skills camp. Taylor already has the size to play in the Big Ten and combines the athleticism to go along with it. Rutgers looks to have wrapped up its recruiting at the running back position in the class of 2016, but look for Taylor to be among the top targets in the class of 2017. Rutgers has extended its reach beyond New Jersey in the last few classes at the running back position. Taylor has the potential to mark the return of the NJ running back in this next class.
TE Zac Crosby – Bolles (Fla.)
The Florida tight end emerged as a viable tight end prospect, catching everything that came his way. He also made a habit of beating the top linebackers in the camp in one-on-ones and even caught some passes going against RU commit Rashwan Battle. In other years, Crosby would have likely earned an offer coming out of camp, although this year is a little different when it comes to tight end recruiting. Crosby was told by the RU staff that it doesn’t necessarily need a tight end in this class and he also needs to add a little more weight. However, with Jovani Haskins and Naseir Upshur still on the board, the staff may not wish to fill that tight end spot prematurely. Crosby could be a name to keep an eye on as he currently holds just a few offers from smaller programs.
Top Ten Class of 2017 prospects
Rutgers offered a pair of 2017 targets this past weekend, both of whom have a very good chance of landing in the New jersey top 10. Union defensive end Mike Tverdov was extremely explosive of the edge at defensive end. He is already over the 220-pound mark, although does not looks as though he carries that much weight. His speed and explosion are likely to make him a top target, although RU is starting off in a very good spot with him. In a similar situation, Bridgeton athlete Markquese Bell counted RU as his second offer, to go along with a first from Temple. Bell possesses freakish athleticism and it may take some colleges a while to notice him deep in South Jersey. Getting in early on Bell could prove big for RU as the definitely looks the part of a recruit whose offer list is likely to reach well into double digits. He could play safety or receiver at the college level.
