Quotables
Scott Vallone on the freshmen defensive linemen:
"The thing I have been most impressed with is they are real coachable. Darius [Hamilton] has been learning and taking coaching very well and Julian [Pinnix-Odrick] has as well. He's trying to learn and it's coming real easy for him. Jamil [Pollard] is doing a great job as well. He's? actually getting some reps. He's a big physical guy at 285. That's good to beef up the line a little bit."
Kevin Snyder on his pre-camp conditioning:
"I actually trimmed a little bit in the summer workouts. I dropped about three pounds. With all the running and lifting I slimmed down just a little bit."
Kaleb Johnson on moving from right to left tackle:
"I think all the plays are similar. The only thing really different is working on switching my technique with my body, different angles and stuff like that."
Mason Robinson on his decision to return for a sixth year:
"There was never [any thought to not coming back)]. When it happened I didn't know the severity of the injury. I just thought it might've been a little tweak, something I could walk off and it would be a little sore but I'll be back from it. But then the doctor started checking it out, and I could see it in their faces that it was worse then they were letting on. But then Coach Schiano came up to me and said, 'Would you want to come back for another year?' And my decision was easy.''
Ruhann Peele on what he is looking to work on the rest of camp:
"I'm looking to work on technique, sinking my hips [on route] and just learning the playbook."
Lorenzo Waters on how strong safety suits his skill set:
"I'm a physical player, so it allows me to use my physical abilities and provide that eighth man support in the box."
Fat Cat Top Five[/B]
Top Five Captain Candidates
5.) Duron Harmon
4.) Steve Beauharnais
3.) Tim Wright
2.) Scott Vallone
1.) Khaseem Greene
Bobby's Crystal Ball
Darius Hamilton will play significant minutes in the season opener
Recruiting tidbits[/B]
Saturday's open practice should be a talent-laden event, as a bevy of Rutgers targets, both committed and uncommitted are slated to attend. Thus far, Scarlet Nation has confirmed the following players will be attending:
LB Lester Liston (Hargrave Military Academy)
CB Nadir Barnwell (Piscataway)
WR Ish Hyman (St. John Vianney)
WR Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan)
RB Jonathan Hilliman (St. Peter's Prep)
DB Anthony Cioffi (Dayton)
DL Sebastian Joseph (Stroudsburg, Pa)
WR John Tsimis (Bergen Catholic)
DT Josh Klecko (Red Bank Catholic)
QB Chris Laviano (Holy Trinity)
S T.J. Taylor (South Brunswick)
ATH Myles Nash (Timber Creek)
DL Eric Wiafe (Egg Harbor Township)
RB Dontea Ayres (Middletown, Del.)
Possible:
OL/DL Quenton Nelson (Red Bank Catholic)
WR Adonis Jennings (Timber Creek)
DB Kiy Hester (DePaul)
ATH Justin Goodwin (Madison)
A healthy amount of high school coaches and their staffs are supposed to be in attendance, including Madison's Chris Kubik and South Brunswick's Joe Goerge. In addition to being the new head coach at South Brunswick, where he will coach T.J. Taylor, Goerge coached RU commit Anthony Cioffi last year at Dayton.
DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (Don Bosco Prep)
A source close to Muhammad said the 4-star DE is enjoying the recruiting process and all it entails. He recently visited Alabama, and while the Crimson Tide have yet to offer, they did leave a big impression.
"I think Alabama is leading the pack [for him], then Rutgers," the source told Scarlet Nation.
Thus far, the Crimson Tide have received 18 commitments for 2013, with one coming from a defensive end--Jonathan Allen of Stoneridge High in Virginia. One thing is certain: as long as Muhammad's recruitment plays out, expect Rutgers to be in the thick of things.
ATH Justin Goodwin (Madison)
There was concern among the scarlet nation this week as a rumor surfaced that Goodwin may be reconsidering his commitment. However, a conversation with his head coach, Chris Kubik, put those ideas to rest.
Kubik told Scarlet Nation he would be "shocked" if Goodwin changed his mind.
"He's been all about Rutgers and making sure he's doing what he has to do to go there since he visited," Kubik said.
LB Lester Liston (Hargrave Military Academy)
After planning to visit for some time, Liston will be on campus Saturday, and is thinking about adding to the Scarlet Knights 2013 class.
"If all goes well, I will commit," he told Scarlet Nation.
While Liston has been on the radar for a while and has a strong relationship with Dave Cohen, as has been stated here previously, he is no guarantee to qualify academically. Scarlet Nation learned this week he still doesn't have strong academic footing, and because of this, Rutgers may not accept his commitment if he attempts to pledge.
WR Charlie Callinan (St. Peter's Prep)
Callinan will not be accompanying his teammate, Hilliman, on Saturday as he'll be on an unofficial visit to Boston College. The Eagles, along with Rutgers, have stood out to Callinan thus far, but he says he is "just visiting" and does not plan on committing.
At this point, Callinan says a decision can be expected mid-season, and he may or may not take other visits in the meantime.
"It depends on who offers," he said.
QB Chris Laviano (Holy Trinity)
Since committing to the Scarlet Knights in June, Laviano has been preparing strenuously for his senior season.
?"We had practice three times a week," he said. "We have been just doing the right stuff, working out a lot, not messing around. Honestly just getting to work for this season. All football.
" We had weekends to relax, but we go as much as we can. We have even been calling captains practices. Everyone on our team has their head on straight. Everyone has the same goals, and that is really important. I am really psyched for the turnout we had this summer."
The Titans struggled to a 3-7 record last season, but Laviano said he isn't worried about this upcoming season.
"I don't like to talk wins, but we are working hard and that is all you can ask for," he said. "There is nothing that we will regret about the offseason, because we are all getting after it.
Laviano says his contact with Rutgers has been frequent--through the mail, on Facebook and in his phone calls to the staff. He added that he's anxious to check things out at practice this Saturday.
OL/DL Hunter Knighton (The Hun School)
Rutgers has eased up in its recruitment of Knighton, who claims close to 20 offers. He announced a top five of Boston College, Miami, Navy, USF and Purdue although he hasn't heard from the RU staff for quite some time.
LB Matt Galambos (Haverford, Pa.)
The inside linebacker has narrowed his list to Rutgers, Harvard and Pitt. However, he is not among RU's top LB targets. The decision to pursue Galambos could possibly lead to a commit but at this point there looks to be better options available for the Scarlet Knights.
OL Dorian Miller (Metuchen)
Miller will be absent from Saturday's practice because he is in Chapel Hill visiting North Carolina. Miller remains RU's top offensive line target and the Scarlet Knights remain in very good with him as he is just feeling things out at UNC.
This post was edited on 8/10 10:45 AM by Bobby Deren
Scott Vallone on the freshmen defensive linemen:
"The thing I have been most impressed with is they are real coachable. Darius [Hamilton] has been learning and taking coaching very well and Julian [Pinnix-Odrick] has as well. He's trying to learn and it's coming real easy for him. Jamil [Pollard] is doing a great job as well. He's? actually getting some reps. He's a big physical guy at 285. That's good to beef up the line a little bit."
Kevin Snyder on his pre-camp conditioning:
"I actually trimmed a little bit in the summer workouts. I dropped about three pounds. With all the running and lifting I slimmed down just a little bit."
Kaleb Johnson on moving from right to left tackle:
"I think all the plays are similar. The only thing really different is working on switching my technique with my body, different angles and stuff like that."
Mason Robinson on his decision to return for a sixth year:
"There was never [any thought to not coming back)]. When it happened I didn't know the severity of the injury. I just thought it might've been a little tweak, something I could walk off and it would be a little sore but I'll be back from it. But then the doctor started checking it out, and I could see it in their faces that it was worse then they were letting on. But then Coach Schiano came up to me and said, 'Would you want to come back for another year?' And my decision was easy.''
Ruhann Peele on what he is looking to work on the rest of camp:
"I'm looking to work on technique, sinking my hips [on route] and just learning the playbook."
Lorenzo Waters on how strong safety suits his skill set:
"I'm a physical player, so it allows me to use my physical abilities and provide that eighth man support in the box."
Fat Cat Top Five[/B]
Top Five Captain Candidates
5.) Duron Harmon
4.) Steve Beauharnais
3.) Tim Wright
2.) Scott Vallone
1.) Khaseem Greene
Bobby's Crystal Ball
Darius Hamilton will play significant minutes in the season opener
Recruiting tidbits[/B]
Saturday's open practice should be a talent-laden event, as a bevy of Rutgers targets, both committed and uncommitted are slated to attend. Thus far, Scarlet Nation has confirmed the following players will be attending:
LB Lester Liston (Hargrave Military Academy)
CB Nadir Barnwell (Piscataway)
WR Ish Hyman (St. John Vianney)
WR Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan)
RB Jonathan Hilliman (St. Peter's Prep)
DB Anthony Cioffi (Dayton)
DL Sebastian Joseph (Stroudsburg, Pa)
WR John Tsimis (Bergen Catholic)
DT Josh Klecko (Red Bank Catholic)
QB Chris Laviano (Holy Trinity)
S T.J. Taylor (South Brunswick)
ATH Myles Nash (Timber Creek)
DL Eric Wiafe (Egg Harbor Township)
RB Dontea Ayres (Middletown, Del.)
Possible:
OL/DL Quenton Nelson (Red Bank Catholic)
WR Adonis Jennings (Timber Creek)
DB Kiy Hester (DePaul)
ATH Justin Goodwin (Madison)
A healthy amount of high school coaches and their staffs are supposed to be in attendance, including Madison's Chris Kubik and South Brunswick's Joe Goerge. In addition to being the new head coach at South Brunswick, where he will coach T.J. Taylor, Goerge coached RU commit Anthony Cioffi last year at Dayton.
DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (Don Bosco Prep)
A source close to Muhammad said the 4-star DE is enjoying the recruiting process and all it entails. He recently visited Alabama, and while the Crimson Tide have yet to offer, they did leave a big impression.
"I think Alabama is leading the pack [for him], then Rutgers," the source told Scarlet Nation.
Thus far, the Crimson Tide have received 18 commitments for 2013, with one coming from a defensive end--Jonathan Allen of Stoneridge High in Virginia. One thing is certain: as long as Muhammad's recruitment plays out, expect Rutgers to be in the thick of things.
ATH Justin Goodwin (Madison)
There was concern among the scarlet nation this week as a rumor surfaced that Goodwin may be reconsidering his commitment. However, a conversation with his head coach, Chris Kubik, put those ideas to rest.
Kubik told Scarlet Nation he would be "shocked" if Goodwin changed his mind.
"He's been all about Rutgers and making sure he's doing what he has to do to go there since he visited," Kubik said.
LB Lester Liston (Hargrave Military Academy)
After planning to visit for some time, Liston will be on campus Saturday, and is thinking about adding to the Scarlet Knights 2013 class.
"If all goes well, I will commit," he told Scarlet Nation.
While Liston has been on the radar for a while and has a strong relationship with Dave Cohen, as has been stated here previously, he is no guarantee to qualify academically. Scarlet Nation learned this week he still doesn't have strong academic footing, and because of this, Rutgers may not accept his commitment if he attempts to pledge.
WR Charlie Callinan (St. Peter's Prep)
Callinan will not be accompanying his teammate, Hilliman, on Saturday as he'll be on an unofficial visit to Boston College. The Eagles, along with Rutgers, have stood out to Callinan thus far, but he says he is "just visiting" and does not plan on committing.
At this point, Callinan says a decision can be expected mid-season, and he may or may not take other visits in the meantime.
"It depends on who offers," he said.
QB Chris Laviano (Holy Trinity)
Since committing to the Scarlet Knights in June, Laviano has been preparing strenuously for his senior season.
?"We had practice three times a week," he said. "We have been just doing the right stuff, working out a lot, not messing around. Honestly just getting to work for this season. All football.
" We had weekends to relax, but we go as much as we can. We have even been calling captains practices. Everyone on our team has their head on straight. Everyone has the same goals, and that is really important. I am really psyched for the turnout we had this summer."
The Titans struggled to a 3-7 record last season, but Laviano said he isn't worried about this upcoming season.
"I don't like to talk wins, but we are working hard and that is all you can ask for," he said. "There is nothing that we will regret about the offseason, because we are all getting after it.
Laviano says his contact with Rutgers has been frequent--through the mail, on Facebook and in his phone calls to the staff. He added that he's anxious to check things out at practice this Saturday.
OL/DL Hunter Knighton (The Hun School)
Rutgers has eased up in its recruitment of Knighton, who claims close to 20 offers. He announced a top five of Boston College, Miami, Navy, USF and Purdue although he hasn't heard from the RU staff for quite some time.
LB Matt Galambos (Haverford, Pa.)
The inside linebacker has narrowed his list to Rutgers, Harvard and Pitt. However, he is not among RU's top LB targets. The decision to pursue Galambos could possibly lead to a commit but at this point there looks to be better options available for the Scarlet Knights.
OL Dorian Miller (Metuchen)
Miller will be absent from Saturday's practice because he is in Chapel Hill visiting North Carolina. Miller remains RU's top offensive line target and the Scarlet Knights remain in very good with him as he is just feeling things out at UNC.
This post was edited on 8/10 10:45 AM by Bobby Deren
