Quotables
Anthony Cioffi on the Rutgers class reeling in a large number of verbals in a short time:
"It's awesome because now we know who wants to be here and puzzle pieces are finally coming together."
Eli Carter on what he has been doing this summer to get better:
"I've been working out every day over the summer. I'm in the weight room getting myself stronger and I'm looking to improve every day in every aspect of my game."
Fat Cat Top Five
Top 5 RU commits to the class of 2013
5.) Anthony Cioffi
4.) TJ Taylor
3.) Taylor Marini
2.) Dontea Ayres
1.) Myles Nash
Bobby's Crystal Ball[/B]
Lorenzo Waters will have the biggest breakout season of any Scarlet Knight in 2012
Recruiting tidbits
LB Skai Moore (University School, Fla.)
Moore is the top linebacker target on the Rutgers board, and the Scarlet Knights helped themselves by securing a commitment from his teammate, Nick Internicola. While Internicola is not likely to pressure Moore into picking Rutgers, the two are close and have discussed the possibility of playing together. As it stands, Moore seems to be set on at least visiting Vanderbilt (the other school in his top two) before making a decision, though that could change. Rutgers remains in excellent position for him, but a visit to Vandy could make things interesting considering the way the Commodores have been recruiting under James Franklin.
RB Jonathan Hilliman (St. Peter's Prep)
It is still early on in the recruiting process for Hilliman, but the talented tailback has already picked up double-digit offers. He told Scarlet Nation earlier this week he wants to take a visit to Rutgers in the near future, but just needed to set the date up with assistant coach Dave Cohen.
TE Andrew Isaacs (Manchester, Ct.)
Isaacs, a "soft" BC verbal, informed Rivals.com's Justin Rowland this week he is focusing on three schools as possible destinations.
"There have still been a bunch of schools recruiting me but the only three I'm really looking at are Boston College, Rutgers and Maryland," Isaacs told Rowland. "Those are the only places I could really see myself."
Isaacs also stated he may take official visits to all three places. The Scarlet Knights already have commitments from two tight ends--Nick Arcidiacono and Taylor Marini--but would likely accept Isaacs' commitment due to tight end being a priority position in this class.
WR Charles Callinan (St. Peter's Prep)
The wide receiver has seen his stock rise during the offseason and Rutgers seems to have picked up their pursuit. Even with fourteen commitments now in the class of 2013, the RU staff could now wind up leaving a scholarship open for Callinan all the way up to signing day.
WR Ishmael Hyman (St. John Vianney)
Recruiting isn't quite as busy as it has been in the past for Hyman. As more classes continue to fill up, Hyman could find himself a victim of a numbers crunch the longer he lets his recruitment play out. With a limited number of ships to go around at Rutgers, his slot doesn't appear as much of a guarantee as it once was.
WR Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan)
Blacknall is a close friend of Hyman but also looks to be one of the top wide receiver prospects in the whole northeast class of 2014. He is already a solid 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, but is hoping to get even bigger by the start of the season.
"I work out all the time," Blacknall said. "I am always looking to get bigger and more on my legs. You always want your core and your legs bigger. I'm also trying to get faster, but I did get faster this year from track."
Hoops recruiting[/B]
The latest Rivals150 hoops rankings for the class of 2013 were unveiled on Tuesday, and a bevy of high-priority Rutgers targets were listed among the honorees. Here is a look at the top 5 players (in ranked order) that Rutgers has a legitimate shot at landing in this class.
16.) PG Rysheed Jordan (Vaux Roberts, Pa.)- The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Jordan is a physically gifted point guard with a tight handle and impressive athleticism. He can create his own shot off the dribble and has the body control to finish at the rim. A 5-star prospect, Jordan has been hearing a lot of from Maryland, and the Terps could be Rutgers' strongest competition for him.
17.) SF Rondae Jefferson (Chester, Pa.)- The Scarlet Knights find themselves in impressive company in Jefferson's top 7, alongside Temple, Texas, Arizona, Memphis, Syracuse and Florida. The lithe lefty embodies what Mike Rice loves in his wings: size, length, athleticism, ability to score off the dribble and defend. Jefferson's jump shot is his only major weakness, and he is using the "Kobe System" workout routine to try to improve his perimeter game. Jefferson took an unofficial to Rutgers in June and gave the trip a positive review. He might be Rutgers' top overall priority in the 2013 class, and will make his decision public on his 18th birthday--Jan 3, 2013.
19.) PF Jermaine Lawrence (Pope John, NJ)- The 6-foot-9 Lawrence informed Matt Whitfield of NBEBasketball.com during last month's NBAPA Top 100 camp that his top 3 is Rutgers, Florida and Syracuse in no particular order. A breakout player, he boasts an ability to run the floor, rebound and block shots, while mixing in an intriguing catch-and-shoot and post game. Should the Scarlet Knights reel him in, it might rank as the biggest coup of the Mike Rice era.
53.) SF/PF Tyler Roberson (Roselle Catholic, NJ)- Roberson dropped from No.34 in the previous rankings, but make no mistake about it, he is an accomplished player. Like Jefferson, he is versatile and athletic, and he is an active defender and rebounded. His best offensive work is done inside the 3-point arc. He took an unofficial visit to Rutgers last month and came away with good vibes. After his visit, Roberson informed Scarlet Nation he intends to trim his list to 10 schools in August with a decision likely to come this fall.
62.) PF Kris Jenkins (Gonzaga College High School, Md.)- At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds Jenkins is a 4 trapped in a 3's body. Still, he's a powerful presence down low, a willing rebounded with a soft touch around the basket. Also working in Rutgers' favor is that he plays for DC Assault, the AAU program that associate head coach David Cox has made a living plucking talent from. Jenkins, like Roberson and Jefferson, visited Rutgers recently for the Scarlet Shootout.
While these five players are the major targets, some other names in the Rivals150 to keep an eye on for the Scarlet Knights include forward Reggie Cameron (Hudson Catholic, N.J.), guard Roddy Peters of Suitland (Md.), forward Mike Young (St. Benedict's Prep, N.J.) and guard Deshaun Morman of Coolidge in D.C.
Big East Media Day[/B]
The 2012 Big East Media Day will take place July 31st in Newport, R.I., and Rutgers will have four players traveling up with head coach Kyle Flood. Those players will be Khaseem Greene, Scott Vallone, Mark Harrison and Duron Harmon.
Recruiting trends[/B]
Starting last Wednesday, Rutgers received five commitments to its class of 2013. A similar instance took place in the summer of 2008 when Rutgers received six commitments during a nine-day span in the month of July. Those commitments were as follows:
Steve Beauharnais - 6/14/08
Mark Harrison - 6/17/08
Aaron Hayward -6/18/08
Robert Joseph - 6/19/08
Duron Harmon - 6/19/08
Logan Ryan - 6/23/08
Another recruiting trend could follow in the coming months, one that played out last year. Rutgers' received an August 16th commitment from Leonte Carroo and then did not get another until January 5th when Quanzell Lambert committed to become a Scarlet Knight. With a couple commits likely to come before the end of the summer, RU will start to play the waiting game with its remaining targets. Just how many scholarships will be available will involve some number crunching.
Here's a look at the 15 current Scarlet Knights who will come off scholarship after this season:
Mason Robinson
Mark Harrison
Steve Beauharnais
Khaseem Greene
Duron Harmon
D.C Jefferson
Scott Vallone
Marcus Cooper
Brandon Jones
R.J. Dill
Marvin Booker
Devon Watkis
Tim Wright
Wayne Warren
Ka'Lial Glaud
There will also be some fourth-year scholarship players who might not return for a fifth year in 2013. Those possible candidates include Robert Joseph, Matt McBride and Malcolm Bush among others.
Then, there are always a few transfers every year and RU has a host of players fitting in that mold. Given those scenarios, RU figures to have 20 open spots in the class of 2013, although that number could rise to around 23 when all is said and done.
Conference tidbit[/B]
Scarlet Nation has learned from sources that a non-geographical division split in the future Big East could very well happen. Those rumors could be announced as fact later this month at Big East media day. The non-geographical divisional model would split up the Florida, Texas and Western schools while maintaining rivalries with an annual crossover. There would be protected rivalries of schools within close proximity of one another. The rumored protected rivalries of the 2013 lineup (each school would be in an opposite division, but play annually) are as follows:
Connecticut-Rutgers
UCF-USF
Houston-SMU
Boise State-San Diego State
Cincinnati-Louisville
Memphis-Temple
That would essentially separate Rutgers and UConn in terms of divisions, but enable their rivalry to continue. Those rivalry games would also likely be played on Thanksgiving weekend when many other college football teams play out-of-conference rivals.
Anthony Cioffi on the Rutgers class reeling in a large number of verbals in a short time:
"It's awesome because now we know who wants to be here and puzzle pieces are finally coming together."
Eli Carter on what he has been doing this summer to get better:
"I've been working out every day over the summer. I'm in the weight room getting myself stronger and I'm looking to improve every day in every aspect of my game."
Fat Cat Top Five
Top 5 RU commits to the class of 2013
5.) Anthony Cioffi
4.) TJ Taylor
3.) Taylor Marini
2.) Dontea Ayres
1.) Myles Nash
Bobby's Crystal Ball[/B]
Lorenzo Waters will have the biggest breakout season of any Scarlet Knight in 2012
Recruiting tidbits
LB Skai Moore (University School, Fla.)
Moore is the top linebacker target on the Rutgers board, and the Scarlet Knights helped themselves by securing a commitment from his teammate, Nick Internicola. While Internicola is not likely to pressure Moore into picking Rutgers, the two are close and have discussed the possibility of playing together. As it stands, Moore seems to be set on at least visiting Vanderbilt (the other school in his top two) before making a decision, though that could change. Rutgers remains in excellent position for him, but a visit to Vandy could make things interesting considering the way the Commodores have been recruiting under James Franklin.
RB Jonathan Hilliman (St. Peter's Prep)
It is still early on in the recruiting process for Hilliman, but the talented tailback has already picked up double-digit offers. He told Scarlet Nation earlier this week he wants to take a visit to Rutgers in the near future, but just needed to set the date up with assistant coach Dave Cohen.
TE Andrew Isaacs (Manchester, Ct.)
Isaacs, a "soft" BC verbal, informed Rivals.com's Justin Rowland this week he is focusing on three schools as possible destinations.
"There have still been a bunch of schools recruiting me but the only three I'm really looking at are Boston College, Rutgers and Maryland," Isaacs told Rowland. "Those are the only places I could really see myself."
Isaacs also stated he may take official visits to all three places. The Scarlet Knights already have commitments from two tight ends--Nick Arcidiacono and Taylor Marini--but would likely accept Isaacs' commitment due to tight end being a priority position in this class.
WR Charles Callinan (St. Peter's Prep)
The wide receiver has seen his stock rise during the offseason and Rutgers seems to have picked up their pursuit. Even with fourteen commitments now in the class of 2013, the RU staff could now wind up leaving a scholarship open for Callinan all the way up to signing day.
WR Ishmael Hyman (St. John Vianney)
Recruiting isn't quite as busy as it has been in the past for Hyman. As more classes continue to fill up, Hyman could find himself a victim of a numbers crunch the longer he lets his recruitment play out. With a limited number of ships to go around at Rutgers, his slot doesn't appear as much of a guarantee as it once was.
WR Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan)
Blacknall is a close friend of Hyman but also looks to be one of the top wide receiver prospects in the whole northeast class of 2014. He is already a solid 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, but is hoping to get even bigger by the start of the season.
"I work out all the time," Blacknall said. "I am always looking to get bigger and more on my legs. You always want your core and your legs bigger. I'm also trying to get faster, but I did get faster this year from track."
Hoops recruiting[/B]
The latest Rivals150 hoops rankings for the class of 2013 were unveiled on Tuesday, and a bevy of high-priority Rutgers targets were listed among the honorees. Here is a look at the top 5 players (in ranked order) that Rutgers has a legitimate shot at landing in this class.
16.) PG Rysheed Jordan (Vaux Roberts, Pa.)- The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Jordan is a physically gifted point guard with a tight handle and impressive athleticism. He can create his own shot off the dribble and has the body control to finish at the rim. A 5-star prospect, Jordan has been hearing a lot of from Maryland, and the Terps could be Rutgers' strongest competition for him.
17.) SF Rondae Jefferson (Chester, Pa.)- The Scarlet Knights find themselves in impressive company in Jefferson's top 7, alongside Temple, Texas, Arizona, Memphis, Syracuse and Florida. The lithe lefty embodies what Mike Rice loves in his wings: size, length, athleticism, ability to score off the dribble and defend. Jefferson's jump shot is his only major weakness, and he is using the "Kobe System" workout routine to try to improve his perimeter game. Jefferson took an unofficial to Rutgers in June and gave the trip a positive review. He might be Rutgers' top overall priority in the 2013 class, and will make his decision public on his 18th birthday--Jan 3, 2013.
19.) PF Jermaine Lawrence (Pope John, NJ)- The 6-foot-9 Lawrence informed Matt Whitfield of NBEBasketball.com during last month's NBAPA Top 100 camp that his top 3 is Rutgers, Florida and Syracuse in no particular order. A breakout player, he boasts an ability to run the floor, rebound and block shots, while mixing in an intriguing catch-and-shoot and post game. Should the Scarlet Knights reel him in, it might rank as the biggest coup of the Mike Rice era.
53.) SF/PF Tyler Roberson (Roselle Catholic, NJ)- Roberson dropped from No.34 in the previous rankings, but make no mistake about it, he is an accomplished player. Like Jefferson, he is versatile and athletic, and he is an active defender and rebounded. His best offensive work is done inside the 3-point arc. He took an unofficial visit to Rutgers last month and came away with good vibes. After his visit, Roberson informed Scarlet Nation he intends to trim his list to 10 schools in August with a decision likely to come this fall.
62.) PF Kris Jenkins (Gonzaga College High School, Md.)- At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds Jenkins is a 4 trapped in a 3's body. Still, he's a powerful presence down low, a willing rebounded with a soft touch around the basket. Also working in Rutgers' favor is that he plays for DC Assault, the AAU program that associate head coach David Cox has made a living plucking talent from. Jenkins, like Roberson and Jefferson, visited Rutgers recently for the Scarlet Shootout.
While these five players are the major targets, some other names in the Rivals150 to keep an eye on for the Scarlet Knights include forward Reggie Cameron (Hudson Catholic, N.J.), guard Roddy Peters of Suitland (Md.), forward Mike Young (St. Benedict's Prep, N.J.) and guard Deshaun Morman of Coolidge in D.C.
Big East Media Day[/B]
The 2012 Big East Media Day will take place July 31st in Newport, R.I., and Rutgers will have four players traveling up with head coach Kyle Flood. Those players will be Khaseem Greene, Scott Vallone, Mark Harrison and Duron Harmon.
Recruiting trends[/B]
Starting last Wednesday, Rutgers received five commitments to its class of 2013. A similar instance took place in the summer of 2008 when Rutgers received six commitments during a nine-day span in the month of July. Those commitments were as follows:
Steve Beauharnais - 6/14/08
Mark Harrison - 6/17/08
Aaron Hayward -6/18/08
Robert Joseph - 6/19/08
Duron Harmon - 6/19/08
Logan Ryan - 6/23/08
Another recruiting trend could follow in the coming months, one that played out last year. Rutgers' received an August 16th commitment from Leonte Carroo and then did not get another until January 5th when Quanzell Lambert committed to become a Scarlet Knight. With a couple commits likely to come before the end of the summer, RU will start to play the waiting game with its remaining targets. Just how many scholarships will be available will involve some number crunching.
Here's a look at the 15 current Scarlet Knights who will come off scholarship after this season:
Mason Robinson
Mark Harrison
Steve Beauharnais
Khaseem Greene
Duron Harmon
D.C Jefferson
Scott Vallone
Marcus Cooper
Brandon Jones
R.J. Dill
Marvin Booker
Devon Watkis
Tim Wright
Wayne Warren
Ka'Lial Glaud
There will also be some fourth-year scholarship players who might not return for a fifth year in 2013. Those possible candidates include Robert Joseph, Matt McBride and Malcolm Bush among others.
Then, there are always a few transfers every year and RU has a host of players fitting in that mold. Given those scenarios, RU figures to have 20 open spots in the class of 2013, although that number could rise to around 23 when all is said and done.
Conference tidbit[/B]
Scarlet Nation has learned from sources that a non-geographical division split in the future Big East could very well happen. Those rumors could be announced as fact later this month at Big East media day. The non-geographical divisional model would split up the Florida, Texas and Western schools while maintaining rivalries with an annual crossover. There would be protected rivalries of schools within close proximity of one another. The rumored protected rivalries of the 2013 lineup (each school would be in an opposite division, but play annually) are as follows:
Connecticut-Rutgers
UCF-USF
Houston-SMU
Boise State-San Diego State
Cincinnati-Louisville
Memphis-Temple
That would essentially separate Rutgers and UConn in terms of divisions, but enable their rivalry to continue. Those rivalry games would also likely be played on Thanksgiving weekend when many other college football teams play out-of-conference rivals.
