Quotables
Steve Pikiell on last night’s hoops loss to Hartford:
“Tonight doesn’t define us. I think we’re going to be very good. There’s a lot of basketball left. We have to make sure we do a good job of turning our flaws into strengths. Better days are ahead.”
Chris Ash on signing punter Adam Korsak:
“A punter was very important for this class because we knew Ryan [Anderson] was gone. Michael Cintron, his future was in doubt on what he wanted to do, but no matter what, it was important to get another punter in our program. And I think we got a really good one. I'm excited about his skill set. It's different. He's an Australian punter, and what he can do and what he's been trained to do is a little bit different than a traditional punter, and I'm excited to get him on campus and let him show us what he can do in person and then figure it out from there.”
Fat Cat Top Five
Top Five Winnable Hoops Games in January
5.) Nebraska (Jan 24)
4.) @ Illinois (Jan 27)
3.) Wisconsin (Jan 5)
2.) @ Penn State (Jan 30)
1.) Iowa (Jan 17)
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
Rutgers’ next OC will be announced before a new defensive line coach is revealed
Recruiting Tidbits
DE Jason Mercier (Atlantic - FL)
After talking with someone close to Mercier, the word is he is working on setting up a January visit with the staff. Originally, Mercier was supposed to make a mid-December visit to Piscataway, but that was postponed after his team made a deep run into playoffs.
DE Ricky Williams Jr. (Blake - FL)
Williams was supposed to visit Rutgers on the 19th of January, but right now that looks to be in question. Indiana is throwing its hat in the ring and is looking to get him on campus that weekend. As of now, Williams is leaning towards visiting Indiana instead of Rutgers. It should also be noted that Williams has had Rutgers as one of his favorites for some time, although the staff has not been pushing for an official visit like it has with some other defensive end prospects.
Alternative options at Linebacker
The fact that RU commit Jayden McDonald has landed offers from Ole Miss and Kansas State, combined with the fact that he didn’t sign early, has Rutgers looking at backup options just in case he opts to go elsewhere. Below are some of the options that Rutgers has shown interest in recently.
Jalen Mackie (St. Thomas Aquinas - FL)
Mackie holds offers from Akron, Appalachian State, Columbia, Duquesne, McNeese State, Memphis, Miami (OH), North Carolina Central, and Tulane. He has heard a lot from Kentucky, Louisville, and North Carolina State as well. This would be an interesting get because it would also help Rutgers to get an in at a Florida powerhouse school like St. Thomas Aquinas.
Antonio Montero (Eden Prarie - MN)
Montero holds four offers from Air Force, Bemidji State, Minnesota State, and North Dakota State. He also took an official visit to Minnesota back in the beginning of December after hearing a lot from the Golden Gopher staff. Right now, he is just waiting on some more schools and has been in contact with Wisconsin, South Dakota State, and a couple others.
New D-Line Coach
Rutgers will have to fill the opening left by former D-line coach Shane Burnham, who officially departed last weekend. RU’s two defensive end commits commented on Burnham’s exit.
Matt Thomas (Midwood - NY) on Shane Burnham departure: “It came as a big surprise to me, he was a great coach. At the end of the day I committed to Rutgers for their system, not just one individual person.”
Jamree Kromah (Flowers - MD): “Burnham told me he was leaving. It didn’t affect my commitment at all. I spoke to my family when it happened and everything was good.”
Team Tidbits
Rutgers will welcome a record number of January enrollees and it is a group filled with players that all have a very good shot of seeing the field in their first season as Scarlet Knights. Here is a closer look at the early playing time situation.
QB Jalen Chatman (Harbor City, Calif.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Good
The California single-caller comes in having thrown for over 7,000 yards in the past two seasons. The kid is a proven winner and all that experience has fueled Chatman with confidence and poise. He is a dual-threat, but it may be his accuracy that separates him from the rest of the quarterbacks as all three of his competitors have struggled with accuracy over the past year.
QB Artur Sitkowski (Old Bridge, N.J.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Fair
All the tools are there for Sitkowski to emerge into a top quarterback. The early enrollment will also be beneficial for his development. His progression from the spring and into the summer will be big in terms of whether or not he will see the field this season. However, Sitkowski may benefit more from redshirting and developing his skills for a year instead of getting thrown right into the fire. It is important to look at the long-term goals when bringing Sitkowski along.
RB Isaih Pacheco - (Vineland, N.J.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Very Good
Rutgers graduates three senior running backs and is not left with a lot of experience. Pacheco comes in as an every-down back and early enrollment has set him up with a very real chance to be the opening day starter. He may face some competition in the form of a grad transfer, but even if he does not secure a starting job, he is likely to see the field and get some touches in 2018.
WR/TE Jalen Jordan - (Bradenton, Fla.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Good
Jordan immediately becomes one of Rutgers’ biggest receiving targets, whether he lines up at tight end or wide receiver. The final position may depend on the new offensive coordinator. Jordan brings in a lot of talent and has the size to create mismatches. His early enrollment should allow him to pass over some veterans whether he lines up at tight end or wide receiver.
OL Raiqwon O’Neal - (Conway, S.C.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Good
It is not normal for freshman offensive linemen to play in their incipient season, but O’Neal is not the typical freshman. He may very well be the best overall prospect and eventual Big Ten player in Rutgers’ class of 2018. There are veterans ahead of him offensive line, but it is difficult to keep players with O’Neal’s talent level off the field. If things really start to click in the spring and O’Neal starts packing on more muscle, don’t be surprised if he finds his way onto the field.
ATH Kessawn Abraham - (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Likely Redshirt
Abraham is a speedster who could help out on both sides of the ball. However, Rutgers is stocked up pretty well at the cornerback position. There may have to be a few injuries before Abraham could crack the two-deep this year. Nevertheless, he is part of a younger wave of Rutgers corners that will be counted on in the future and getting an early start this spring could be a positive step towards being a corner of the future.
P Adam Korsak (Melbourne, Australia)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Very Good
Barring any injury or egregious error in the evaluation of Korsak, he will be the opening day punter. There is no one on the roster now who even figures to challenge him for that job. This season, Rutgers’ special teams is going to rely heavily on the Australian punter, who will benefit from some early strength and conditioning in the spring.
WR Eddie Lewis (Middletown, N.J.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Good
Lewis brings in a shiftiness that Rutgers could use at the wide receiver position. He is quicker than he is fast and that makes for a lot of elusiveness in the open field. An added year at Milford Academy should also be an advantage in his development as he is a player that could conceivably factor into the passing game early this season.
Steve Pikiell on last night’s hoops loss to Hartford:
“Tonight doesn’t define us. I think we’re going to be very good. There’s a lot of basketball left. We have to make sure we do a good job of turning our flaws into strengths. Better days are ahead.”
Chris Ash on signing punter Adam Korsak:
“A punter was very important for this class because we knew Ryan [Anderson] was gone. Michael Cintron, his future was in doubt on what he wanted to do, but no matter what, it was important to get another punter in our program. And I think we got a really good one. I'm excited about his skill set. It's different. He's an Australian punter, and what he can do and what he's been trained to do is a little bit different than a traditional punter, and I'm excited to get him on campus and let him show us what he can do in person and then figure it out from there.”
Fat Cat Top Five
Top Five Winnable Hoops Games in January
5.) Nebraska (Jan 24)
4.) @ Illinois (Jan 27)
3.) Wisconsin (Jan 5)
2.) @ Penn State (Jan 30)
1.) Iowa (Jan 17)
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
Rutgers’ next OC will be announced before a new defensive line coach is revealed
Recruiting Tidbits
DE Jason Mercier (Atlantic - FL)
After talking with someone close to Mercier, the word is he is working on setting up a January visit with the staff. Originally, Mercier was supposed to make a mid-December visit to Piscataway, but that was postponed after his team made a deep run into playoffs.
DE Ricky Williams Jr. (Blake - FL)
Williams was supposed to visit Rutgers on the 19th of January, but right now that looks to be in question. Indiana is throwing its hat in the ring and is looking to get him on campus that weekend. As of now, Williams is leaning towards visiting Indiana instead of Rutgers. It should also be noted that Williams has had Rutgers as one of his favorites for some time, although the staff has not been pushing for an official visit like it has with some other defensive end prospects.
Alternative options at Linebacker
The fact that RU commit Jayden McDonald has landed offers from Ole Miss and Kansas State, combined with the fact that he didn’t sign early, has Rutgers looking at backup options just in case he opts to go elsewhere. Below are some of the options that Rutgers has shown interest in recently.
Jalen Mackie (St. Thomas Aquinas - FL)
Mackie holds offers from Akron, Appalachian State, Columbia, Duquesne, McNeese State, Memphis, Miami (OH), North Carolina Central, and Tulane. He has heard a lot from Kentucky, Louisville, and North Carolina State as well. This would be an interesting get because it would also help Rutgers to get an in at a Florida powerhouse school like St. Thomas Aquinas.
Antonio Montero (Eden Prarie - MN)
Montero holds four offers from Air Force, Bemidji State, Minnesota State, and North Dakota State. He also took an official visit to Minnesota back in the beginning of December after hearing a lot from the Golden Gopher staff. Right now, he is just waiting on some more schools and has been in contact with Wisconsin, South Dakota State, and a couple others.
New D-Line Coach
Rutgers will have to fill the opening left by former D-line coach Shane Burnham, who officially departed last weekend. RU’s two defensive end commits commented on Burnham’s exit.
Matt Thomas (Midwood - NY) on Shane Burnham departure: “It came as a big surprise to me, he was a great coach. At the end of the day I committed to Rutgers for their system, not just one individual person.”
Jamree Kromah (Flowers - MD): “Burnham told me he was leaving. It didn’t affect my commitment at all. I spoke to my family when it happened and everything was good.”
Team Tidbits
Rutgers will welcome a record number of January enrollees and it is a group filled with players that all have a very good shot of seeing the field in their first season as Scarlet Knights. Here is a closer look at the early playing time situation.
QB Jalen Chatman (Harbor City, Calif.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Good
The California single-caller comes in having thrown for over 7,000 yards in the past two seasons. The kid is a proven winner and all that experience has fueled Chatman with confidence and poise. He is a dual-threat, but it may be his accuracy that separates him from the rest of the quarterbacks as all three of his competitors have struggled with accuracy over the past year.
QB Artur Sitkowski (Old Bridge, N.J.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Fair
All the tools are there for Sitkowski to emerge into a top quarterback. The early enrollment will also be beneficial for his development. His progression from the spring and into the summer will be big in terms of whether or not he will see the field this season. However, Sitkowski may benefit more from redshirting and developing his skills for a year instead of getting thrown right into the fire. It is important to look at the long-term goals when bringing Sitkowski along.
RB Isaih Pacheco - (Vineland, N.J.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Very Good
Rutgers graduates three senior running backs and is not left with a lot of experience. Pacheco comes in as an every-down back and early enrollment has set him up with a very real chance to be the opening day starter. He may face some competition in the form of a grad transfer, but even if he does not secure a starting job, he is likely to see the field and get some touches in 2018.
WR/TE Jalen Jordan - (Bradenton, Fla.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Good
Jordan immediately becomes one of Rutgers’ biggest receiving targets, whether he lines up at tight end or wide receiver. The final position may depend on the new offensive coordinator. Jordan brings in a lot of talent and has the size to create mismatches. His early enrollment should allow him to pass over some veterans whether he lines up at tight end or wide receiver.
OL Raiqwon O’Neal - (Conway, S.C.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Good
It is not normal for freshman offensive linemen to play in their incipient season, but O’Neal is not the typical freshman. He may very well be the best overall prospect and eventual Big Ten player in Rutgers’ class of 2018. There are veterans ahead of him offensive line, but it is difficult to keep players with O’Neal’s talent level off the field. If things really start to click in the spring and O’Neal starts packing on more muscle, don’t be surprised if he finds his way onto the field.
ATH Kessawn Abraham - (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Likely Redshirt
Abraham is a speedster who could help out on both sides of the ball. However, Rutgers is stocked up pretty well at the cornerback position. There may have to be a few injuries before Abraham could crack the two-deep this year. Nevertheless, he is part of a younger wave of Rutgers corners that will be counted on in the future and getting an early start this spring could be a positive step towards being a corner of the future.
P Adam Korsak (Melbourne, Australia)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Very Good
Barring any injury or egregious error in the evaluation of Korsak, he will be the opening day punter. There is no one on the roster now who even figures to challenge him for that job. This season, Rutgers’ special teams is going to rely heavily on the Australian punter, who will benefit from some early strength and conditioning in the spring.
WR Eddie Lewis (Middletown, N.J.)
Chances of Early Playing Time: Good
Lewis brings in a shiftiness that Rutgers could use at the wide receiver position. He is quicker than he is fast and that makes for a lot of elusiveness in the open field. An added year at Milford Academy should also be an advantage in his development as he is a player that could conceivably factor into the passing game early this season.
