Quotables
Chis Ash on Rutgers’ week of preparation:
“I think the guys believe in what we do. I think we practice extremely hard on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tuesday is a physical practice; Wednesday is still a fairly physical practice. Thursday we get a lot of reps on the scout team. Friday is what we call Feel Good Fridays, getting our minds and bodies right, and then putting the final touches on the game plan.”
Chris Laviano on being pulled last weekend against New Mexico:
“Whatever is best for the team needs to happen. We have to play better offensively. It is what it is. [The coaches] have a job to do, I have a job to do.”
Fat Cat Top Five
Top Five RU Positions through three games
5.) Tight Ends
4.) Interior O-Linemen
3.) Defensive Tackles
2.) Running Backs
1.) Kick/Punt Returner
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
Rutgers' next commit will come from outside New Jersey
Saturday Visitors
Rutgers will host Iowa at noon tomorrow inside High Point Solutions Stadium and here is a look at the confirmed visitors for that Big Ten contest.
Class of 2017
RB Jon Lovett (Cherokee - NJ)**
RB Cornelius Ruff (Schlagle - KS)
RB Nazir Streater (Camden Catholic - NJ)
RB Tyron Roper (Archbishop Curley - MD)
RB Siddiq Muhammad (Christ The King - NY)
WR Bo Melton (Cedar Creek - NJ)**
WR Everett Wormley (Burlington Twp - NJ)**
WR Hunter Hayek (Wayne Hills - NJ)
OL Jamaal Beaty (St. John Vianney - NJ)**
OL Micah Clark (St. John Vianney - NJ)**
DE Mike Tverdov (Union - NJ)**
DT Saleem Lockett (Imhotep Charter - PA)
LB CJ Onyechi (West Orange - NJ)**
LB Brendan Devera (Wayne Hills - NJ)
DB Edwin Lopez (Woodrow Wilson - NJ)**
DB Ihmir Marsette (Weequahic - NJ)*
ATH Jordan Scott (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ)
K Justin Davidovicz (Bridgwater-Raritan - NJ)
K/P Ethan Torres (Bishop O’Connell - VA)
LS Billy Taylor (Parsippany - NJ)
Class of 2018
QB Allan Walters (Peddie School - NJ)*
QB Brayden Soza (Schlagle - KS)
RB Mario Agyen (Kennedy - NY)
RB Kyle Dobbins (St. Augustine - NJ)
RB O’Shaan Allison (Malvern Prep - PA)
RB Shaquon Anderson-Butts (Harrisburg - PA)*
WR Faraa’d McCombs (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ)
WR Travon King (Woodrow Wilson - NJ)
TE Jairo Ramos (Woodrow Wilson - NJ)
OL Larry Ross (Peddie School - NJ)
OL Daniel Dawkins (Peddie School - NJ)
DE Dorian Hardy (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ)*
DE Brijon Artis (Piscataway - NJ)
DE John Morgan (DeMatha - MD)*
DE Tyler Friday (Don Bosco - NJ)*
DE Marcellus Earlington (Don Bosco - NJ)
DT Alex Desire (Burlington Twp - NJ)
LB Javar Garrett (Peddie School - NJ)*
LB Jesse Luketa (Mercyhurst Prep - PA)
DB Chelen Garnes (North Point - MD)
DB Kevin Brennan (Don Bosco Prep - NJ)
DB Evan Stewart (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ)*
Class of 2019
RB Jake Low (Bishop Sullivan - VA)
WR Stanley King (Woodrow Wilson - NJ)
OL Chris Mayo (St. Augustine - NJ)
OL Alex Gilbertson (St. Augustine - NJ)
* Denotes RU offer
**Denotes RU commit
Recruiting Tidbits
ATH Tyler Hayek (Wayne Hills - NJ):
The Rutgers commit was a steadying force on the Wayne Hills defense up until last week, when he broke out on the offensive side of the football at wide receiver.
“We had a crazy game last week versus Roxbury. I finished with 110 receiving yards, along with two touchdowns on only 5 total receptions,” Hayek said. “I had some defensive stats too, but they weren’t as good as my offensive stats. We have a big rematch coming up this week against Old Tappan. They beat us in states last year and we were voted game of the week this week too, so I’m pumped. I’ll also be up at Rutgers this Saturday to check out how they do against Iowa.
DT Corey Bolds (Paramus Catholic – NJ)
The highly sought-after class of 2017 product recently placed Rutgers in his top six, along with Pitt, Clemson, Georgia Cal and Penn State. Rutgers has been faring well with Bolds, although the recent Najee Clayton situation could affect RU’s standing with Bolds. Clayton is off the team because of personal reasons and he and Bolds are close. The two grew up together playing youth football in Paterson, N.J. If things do not improve between Rutgers and Clayton, it could sway Bolds away from Rutgers.
RB Asa Martin (IMG Academy - FL)
The class of 2018 product has become a target for Rutgers as a new offer came about this week. Martin explained how that came to be.
“On Tuesday, I got a handwritten letter from running back coach [Zak] Kuhr up at Rutgers. So I decided to call him and we talked for a little and boom, then he offered me. It just felt great and it was such a blessing to get an offer from the school."
The offer is No.11 for the four-star running back, who is ranked 146th overall in Rivals,com;s class of 2018.
OLB Andrew Chatfield (American Heritage - FL)
The class of 2018 four-star prospect picked up a Rutgers offer this week. That marks Chatfield’s eighth overall offer and second from a Big Ten school to go along with a previous one form Wisconsin.
“I was told to call DB coach Aaron Henry the other day and he was just talking to me for a while. He told me that he likes the way I play and I can really fit into their defense they have up there,” Chatfield. “I don’t know much other than they are a pretty good academic school. I definitely hope to come check it out one day this season. I’m also hearing from schools like Ohio State, Michigan State, and Florida State along with Rutgers right now.”
RB Josh McKenzie (Bergen Catholic - NJ)
The class of 2019 prospect already holds a Rutgers offer and is planning a future trip to Piscataway in the near future.
“I was originally supposed to go check out Rutgers versus New Mexico last week, but I couldn’t make it,” McKenzie said. “I’m definitely going to check one of their games out pretty soon though. The season is going pretty well so far, we are 3-0 and right now I have 35 carries for 265 yards and 5 touchdowns. I’m mostly just looking forward to our game against Paramus Catholic this Saturday.”
Commits in Action
Rutgers has a host of commits in action this weekend and here is a look at the schedule for all of the games that feature a future Scarlet Knight.
Friday, Sept 23rd
Midwood @ Grand Street Campus (Olakunle Fatukasi)
Howell @ Toms River North (Bryce Watts)
Cedar Creek @ Ocean City (Owen Bowles, Bo Melton)
Clearview @Timber Creek (Naijee Jones)
Elizabeth @ Union (Mike Tverdov)
Old Tappan @ Wayne Hills (Tyler Hayek)
Red Bank @ St. John Vianney (Micah Clark, Jamaal Beaty)
Kingsway @ Cherokee (Jon Lovett)
Burlington Township @ Lenape (Everett Wormley)
Columbia @ West Orange (CJ Onyechi)
Wilson @ Bishop Eustace (Edwin Lopez)
Saturday, Sept 24th
Penn’s Grove @ Salem (Jon Taylor)
Seton Hall Prep @ St. Peter’s Prep (Johnathan Lewis)
Tottenville @ Roosevelt (Tim Barrow)
Lawrence Academy @ Cheshire Academy (Samuel Vretman)
Liberty @ Bethlehem Catholic (Jaohne Duggan)
Eye on Rutgers
Our First Quarter Report Cards round out with a look at the special teams and a breakdown of how those units have fared three games into the season.
Kickoffs: D
There has not been a great deal of distance on kickoffs as freshman Jared Smolar has struggled to kick the ball very deep. Rutgers is only averaging 35.6 net yards on kickoffs. That has allowed opponents to start their drives with respectable field position. While kickoff coverage has not been bad, the unit is being handicapped by Smolar's short kickoffs.
Return Game: A
There is not a whole lot that needs to be said here beyond Janarion Grant. Through three games, Grant has a punt return and a kickoff return for touchdowns. Both came at key times that caused a momentum shift in favor of Rutgers. Grant muffed one punt against Howard, although his dynamic play outweighs that mistake and his ability to change the complexion of a game earns the return game a top-notch grade.
Field Goals: B
Kicker David Bonagura may not have extended range, but he’s proven to have a great deal of accuracy. He has made six of seven field goals and connected on all twelve of his extra points. Bonagura has only attempted two field goals beyond 40 yards and connected on one of those. The staff has neglected to go for long field goals as Bonagura is not always an option. But when he is, he’s proven to be a good one.
Long Snapping: B
There has not been an occasion to call out Alan Lucy’s name, which is a good sign for a long snapper. He’s been solid through the first three games as Rutgers’ kicking game has not stumbled at all because of the snaps. Lucy looks to finally be coming into his own and he has also a tackle to his credit.
Punting: C
Mike Cintron is averaging 38.1 yards per punt on the season and has not hurt Rutgers with shoddy kicking. On the other hand, he’s not been exemplary to the point where he has really helped control the field position battle. Cintron is averaging 31.8 net yards on 19 punts through three games. He could stand to use some improvement.
Chis Ash on Rutgers’ week of preparation:
“I think the guys believe in what we do. I think we practice extremely hard on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tuesday is a physical practice; Wednesday is still a fairly physical practice. Thursday we get a lot of reps on the scout team. Friday is what we call Feel Good Fridays, getting our minds and bodies right, and then putting the final touches on the game plan.”
Chris Laviano on being pulled last weekend against New Mexico:
“Whatever is best for the team needs to happen. We have to play better offensively. It is what it is. [The coaches] have a job to do, I have a job to do.”
Fat Cat Top Five
Top Five RU Positions through three games
5.) Tight Ends
4.) Interior O-Linemen
3.) Defensive Tackles
2.) Running Backs
1.) Kick/Punt Returner
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
Rutgers' next commit will come from outside New Jersey
Saturday Visitors
Rutgers will host Iowa at noon tomorrow inside High Point Solutions Stadium and here is a look at the confirmed visitors for that Big Ten contest.
Class of 2017
RB Jon Lovett (Cherokee - NJ)**
RB Cornelius Ruff (Schlagle - KS)
RB Nazir Streater (Camden Catholic - NJ)
RB Tyron Roper (Archbishop Curley - MD)
RB Siddiq Muhammad (Christ The King - NY)
WR Bo Melton (Cedar Creek - NJ)**
WR Everett Wormley (Burlington Twp - NJ)**
WR Hunter Hayek (Wayne Hills - NJ)
OL Jamaal Beaty (St. John Vianney - NJ)**
OL Micah Clark (St. John Vianney - NJ)**
DE Mike Tverdov (Union - NJ)**
DT Saleem Lockett (Imhotep Charter - PA)
LB CJ Onyechi (West Orange - NJ)**
LB Brendan Devera (Wayne Hills - NJ)
DB Edwin Lopez (Woodrow Wilson - NJ)**
DB Ihmir Marsette (Weequahic - NJ)*
ATH Jordan Scott (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ)
K Justin Davidovicz (Bridgwater-Raritan - NJ)
K/P Ethan Torres (Bishop O’Connell - VA)
LS Billy Taylor (Parsippany - NJ)
Class of 2018
QB Allan Walters (Peddie School - NJ)*
QB Brayden Soza (Schlagle - KS)
RB Mario Agyen (Kennedy - NY)
RB Kyle Dobbins (St. Augustine - NJ)
RB O’Shaan Allison (Malvern Prep - PA)
RB Shaquon Anderson-Butts (Harrisburg - PA)*
WR Faraa’d McCombs (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ)
WR Travon King (Woodrow Wilson - NJ)
TE Jairo Ramos (Woodrow Wilson - NJ)
OL Larry Ross (Peddie School - NJ)
OL Daniel Dawkins (Peddie School - NJ)
DE Dorian Hardy (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ)*
DE Brijon Artis (Piscataway - NJ)
DE John Morgan (DeMatha - MD)*
DE Tyler Friday (Don Bosco - NJ)*
DE Marcellus Earlington (Don Bosco - NJ)
DT Alex Desire (Burlington Twp - NJ)
LB Javar Garrett (Peddie School - NJ)*
LB Jesse Luketa (Mercyhurst Prep - PA)
DB Chelen Garnes (North Point - MD)
DB Kevin Brennan (Don Bosco Prep - NJ)
DB Evan Stewart (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ)*
Class of 2019
RB Jake Low (Bishop Sullivan - VA)
WR Stanley King (Woodrow Wilson - NJ)
OL Chris Mayo (St. Augustine - NJ)
OL Alex Gilbertson (St. Augustine - NJ)
* Denotes RU offer
**Denotes RU commit
Recruiting Tidbits
ATH Tyler Hayek (Wayne Hills - NJ):
The Rutgers commit was a steadying force on the Wayne Hills defense up until last week, when he broke out on the offensive side of the football at wide receiver.
“We had a crazy game last week versus Roxbury. I finished with 110 receiving yards, along with two touchdowns on only 5 total receptions,” Hayek said. “I had some defensive stats too, but they weren’t as good as my offensive stats. We have a big rematch coming up this week against Old Tappan. They beat us in states last year and we were voted game of the week this week too, so I’m pumped. I’ll also be up at Rutgers this Saturday to check out how they do against Iowa.
DT Corey Bolds (Paramus Catholic – NJ)
The highly sought-after class of 2017 product recently placed Rutgers in his top six, along with Pitt, Clemson, Georgia Cal and Penn State. Rutgers has been faring well with Bolds, although the recent Najee Clayton situation could affect RU’s standing with Bolds. Clayton is off the team because of personal reasons and he and Bolds are close. The two grew up together playing youth football in Paterson, N.J. If things do not improve between Rutgers and Clayton, it could sway Bolds away from Rutgers.
RB Asa Martin (IMG Academy - FL)
The class of 2018 product has become a target for Rutgers as a new offer came about this week. Martin explained how that came to be.
“On Tuesday, I got a handwritten letter from running back coach [Zak] Kuhr up at Rutgers. So I decided to call him and we talked for a little and boom, then he offered me. It just felt great and it was such a blessing to get an offer from the school."
The offer is No.11 for the four-star running back, who is ranked 146th overall in Rivals,com;s class of 2018.
OLB Andrew Chatfield (American Heritage - FL)
The class of 2018 four-star prospect picked up a Rutgers offer this week. That marks Chatfield’s eighth overall offer and second from a Big Ten school to go along with a previous one form Wisconsin.
“I was told to call DB coach Aaron Henry the other day and he was just talking to me for a while. He told me that he likes the way I play and I can really fit into their defense they have up there,” Chatfield. “I don’t know much other than they are a pretty good academic school. I definitely hope to come check it out one day this season. I’m also hearing from schools like Ohio State, Michigan State, and Florida State along with Rutgers right now.”
RB Josh McKenzie (Bergen Catholic - NJ)
The class of 2019 prospect already holds a Rutgers offer and is planning a future trip to Piscataway in the near future.
“I was originally supposed to go check out Rutgers versus New Mexico last week, but I couldn’t make it,” McKenzie said. “I’m definitely going to check one of their games out pretty soon though. The season is going pretty well so far, we are 3-0 and right now I have 35 carries for 265 yards and 5 touchdowns. I’m mostly just looking forward to our game against Paramus Catholic this Saturday.”
Commits in Action
Rutgers has a host of commits in action this weekend and here is a look at the schedule for all of the games that feature a future Scarlet Knight.
Friday, Sept 23rd
Midwood @ Grand Street Campus (Olakunle Fatukasi)
Howell @ Toms River North (Bryce Watts)
Cedar Creek @ Ocean City (Owen Bowles, Bo Melton)
Clearview @Timber Creek (Naijee Jones)
Elizabeth @ Union (Mike Tverdov)
Old Tappan @ Wayne Hills (Tyler Hayek)
Red Bank @ St. John Vianney (Micah Clark, Jamaal Beaty)
Kingsway @ Cherokee (Jon Lovett)
Burlington Township @ Lenape (Everett Wormley)
Columbia @ West Orange (CJ Onyechi)
Wilson @ Bishop Eustace (Edwin Lopez)
Saturday, Sept 24th
Penn’s Grove @ Salem (Jon Taylor)
Seton Hall Prep @ St. Peter’s Prep (Johnathan Lewis)
Tottenville @ Roosevelt (Tim Barrow)
Lawrence Academy @ Cheshire Academy (Samuel Vretman)
Liberty @ Bethlehem Catholic (Jaohne Duggan)
Eye on Rutgers
Our First Quarter Report Cards round out with a look at the special teams and a breakdown of how those units have fared three games into the season.
Kickoffs: D
There has not been a great deal of distance on kickoffs as freshman Jared Smolar has struggled to kick the ball very deep. Rutgers is only averaging 35.6 net yards on kickoffs. That has allowed opponents to start their drives with respectable field position. While kickoff coverage has not been bad, the unit is being handicapped by Smolar's short kickoffs.
Return Game: A
There is not a whole lot that needs to be said here beyond Janarion Grant. Through three games, Grant has a punt return and a kickoff return for touchdowns. Both came at key times that caused a momentum shift in favor of Rutgers. Grant muffed one punt against Howard, although his dynamic play outweighs that mistake and his ability to change the complexion of a game earns the return game a top-notch grade.
Field Goals: B
Kicker David Bonagura may not have extended range, but he’s proven to have a great deal of accuracy. He has made six of seven field goals and connected on all twelve of his extra points. Bonagura has only attempted two field goals beyond 40 yards and connected on one of those. The staff has neglected to go for long field goals as Bonagura is not always an option. But when he is, he’s proven to be a good one.
Long Snapping: B
There has not been an occasion to call out Alan Lucy’s name, which is a good sign for a long snapper. He’s been solid through the first three games as Rutgers’ kicking game has not stumbled at all because of the snaps. Lucy looks to finally be coming into his own and he has also a tackle to his credit.
Punting: C
Mike Cintron is averaging 38.1 yards per punt on the season and has not hurt Rutgers with shoddy kicking. On the other hand, he’s not been exemplary to the point where he has really helped control the field position battle. Cintron is averaging 31.8 net yards on 19 punts through three games. He could stand to use some improvement.
