Quotables
Chris Ash on Eastern Michigan:
“I’ve got a lot of respect for what they've done. And I know [head coach] Chris Creighton personally, He's a really good coach, done a great job with that program. But it starts with the quarterback [Brogan Roback]. You're not going to win games without quarterback play, and they got that last year. And in the first game he's building off of what they did last year. It's going to be a tremendous challenge for us because, again, they are a bowl team. They've got a lot of confidence right now. They do have enough experience back in the right spots that they can be a dangerous football team.”
Hunter Hayek on playing special teams:
“Coach Ash told me that special teams needed some help and a lot of freshman are going to play there. So whatever they asked me to do, I just went in and stepped up.”
Robert Martin on his performance last weekend:
“I think I am a downhill runner. I just couldn’t wait to get in the game and do my job. Every time, I go out there I am trying to make a play. Ever since I got here as a freshman, I am always trying to make a play for my team and do my job.”
Bo Melton on the RU offensive line:
“Our offensive line did a tremendous job against Washington, the best they did in a long time from what people are saying. …They are what we need. They start it.”
Fat Cat Top Five
Top Five RU Breakout Players over next two game
5.) Willington Previlon
4.) Tyshon Fogg
3.) Johnathan Lewis
2.) Raheem Blackshear
1.) Bo Melton
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
Rutgers will win by double digits over Eastern Michigan on Saturday
Recruiting Tidbits
’18 OL Raiqwon O’Neal (Conway - SC)
After talking with O’Neal, he has informed Scarlet Nation that he is planning on moving his official visit date to the second week of December. There has been talk around a lot of commits to make the second week of December a big official visit weekend. With O’Neal pushing his visit back, a lot of others could wind up joining him that weekend.
’18 DE Randy Charlton (Southridge - NJ)
Charlton is currently hearing a lot from Utah and there is a good chance he takes a visit up to check out the Utes. He is also still hearing quite a bit from Rutgers as the staff continues to remain heavily interested.
’18 QB Jalen Chatman (Narbonne - CA): As far as recruiting goes, Chatman is still very much committed to Rutgers, but is hearing a lot from New Mexico as they continue to push the idea of staying closer to home. Don’t expect anything to come of it as he is expected to stay committed to Rutgers.
Chatman was also recently selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American game and Narbonne OC Brandon Manumaleuna commented on that accomplishment.
"We are extremely proud of Jalen and his selection to the Blue-Grey All Star game. He's a great young man who continues to excel on and off the field. This is another great accomplishment for him.”
’18 DE Nick Fulwider (Sandy Creek - GA)
He was originally set to take an official visit this weekend to Rutgers, but plans on pushing it back to the end of September. He will now take an official visit to Rutgers on Sept 30th, when the team takes on Ohio State.
Saturday Visitor List
Class of 2018
QB Joshua Zamot (Holy Spirit - NJ)
WR Jasiah Provillon (Irvington - NJ)
WR Amad Anderson (Curtis - NY) - Official visit *
OL Matt Rosso (Pennsbury - PA) *
LB Christian Arrington (Cumberland Valley - PA)
DB Jarrett Paul (Paramus Catholic - NJ) *
Class of 2019
RB Jelani Machen (Landon - MD)
OL Bence Polgar (Wayne Hills - NJ)
DE Joe Rondi (Wayne Hills - NJ)
DE David Ojabo (Blair Academy - NJ)
LB Chayce Chalmers (Stonewall Jackson - XX)
DB Isaiah Johnston (Monroe - NJ)
DB Samuel Jackson (Troy - OH)
ATH Jaaron Hayek (Wayne Hills - NJ)
* Rutgers commit
Hoops Tidbits
’18 PF/C Warren Washington (Mission Hills - CA)
The big man took an official visit to Rutgers last weekend and even checked out the RU football game against Washington.
“It was a great visit. I felt lots of love over there, they have a great staff and campus,” Washington said. “I had lots of food, just discussed everything about New Jersey and what Rutgers has to offer. I had fun at the football game, got to hang with the team and stuff. My favorite part was just being able to spend some time with the coaches and other recruits at the Washington game.”
’19 PF Eric Dixon (Abington - PA)
The Pennsylvania forward is also fresh off a visit to Rutgers and had the opportunity to meet a host of players while on campus last Friday.
“It was really fun. I got to meet a couple of the players, a few recruits, and went down on the field,” Dixon said. “I talked with Geo [Baker], Mike [Williams], DeShawn [Freeman], and Myles [Johnson]. They’re all cool and they basically just told me what they like about the school.”
Team Tidbits
D-Line update
Last weekend marked the first ever college football game for Rutgers defensive end Willington Previlon. The redshirt sophomore did not register a tackle, but that could change this week as he may see more playing time with Jon Bateky bothered by an ankle injury suffered in the first half against Washington. The injury could keep Bateky out of action for this weekend's matchup against EMU. That would mean more run for Previlon, who has really transformed himself from a lean freshman into a sizable d-tackle.
“It has been a long transformation,” Previlon told Scarlet Nation this week. “I wish it could have happened quicker, but I felt if I could stick with the process, I would be fine. Since I got here, I have gained like 40 or 50 pounds.”
Previlon also talked about what it was like to start his career against then-No.8 Washington.
“It was nerve-wracking. I was nervous the whole first half."
The Rutgers d-line played formidably against Washington, but can ill afford a rash of injuries as it is not an extremely deep unit. Freshmen Brendan Bordner and Jaohne Duggan are expected to redshirt, but if injuries continue to mount, the staff will need to consider using one of those two players. The only other solution would be to convert an offensive lineman.
Eastern Michigan Tidbits
Quick Facts
Eastern Michigan has two players from the state of New Jersey. Ikie Calderon is a senior defensive back from Neptune who started eight games last year, but played in a backup role last weekend in a 24-7 win over Charlotte. Fullback Dez Horne is a freshman walk-on from Glassboro who did not see action last weekend.
Eastern Michigan actually has a player named Lion King. He is a junior defensive tackle from Southfield, Mich., who only appeared in one game last season.
More on the Eagles
There are not a whole lot of writers covering Eastern Michigan as that region has a heavy University of Michigan following. Nevertheless, we caught up with Ryan Zuke of MLive.com (Michigan’s version of NJ.com) who has written some pieces on EMU this summer and he answered a few questions about the team.
Scarlet Nation: What are the expectations for this season's EMU team?
Ryan Zuke: Expectations are to make it back to a bowl game and win it. The program has never been to two straight bowl games.
SN: Who are the team’s best players?
RZ: Quarterback Brogan Roback, a fifth-year senior who has a ton of experience. He had a breakout year last year and is a top 3 QB in the MAC for sure. WR Sergio Bailey II also is a top threat in the league. He was named to the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list and selected Third Team Preseason All-MAC by Athlon Sports. Jason Beck and Jeremiah Harris are the top two guys defensively. Beck was second on the team last year with 104 tackles and also had 7 tackles for loss. Harris was second on the team with four sacks.
SN: What is something about the team that opposing fan bases might not know?
RZ: Last season was their first winning since 1995 and their first bowl game since 1987.
SN: How likely is it that they could defeat Rutgers?
RZ: Eastern has a ton of returners and experience at the key skilled positions. There is a reason Rutgers is only a 5-point favorite. The Eagles could have enough fire power to pull it off.
Chris Ash on Eastern Michigan:
“I’ve got a lot of respect for what they've done. And I know [head coach] Chris Creighton personally, He's a really good coach, done a great job with that program. But it starts with the quarterback [Brogan Roback]. You're not going to win games without quarterback play, and they got that last year. And in the first game he's building off of what they did last year. It's going to be a tremendous challenge for us because, again, they are a bowl team. They've got a lot of confidence right now. They do have enough experience back in the right spots that they can be a dangerous football team.”
Hunter Hayek on playing special teams:
“Coach Ash told me that special teams needed some help and a lot of freshman are going to play there. So whatever they asked me to do, I just went in and stepped up.”
Robert Martin on his performance last weekend:
“I think I am a downhill runner. I just couldn’t wait to get in the game and do my job. Every time, I go out there I am trying to make a play. Ever since I got here as a freshman, I am always trying to make a play for my team and do my job.”
Bo Melton on the RU offensive line:
“Our offensive line did a tremendous job against Washington, the best they did in a long time from what people are saying. …They are what we need. They start it.”
Fat Cat Top Five
Top Five RU Breakout Players over next two game
5.) Willington Previlon
4.) Tyshon Fogg
3.) Johnathan Lewis
2.) Raheem Blackshear
1.) Bo Melton
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
Rutgers will win by double digits over Eastern Michigan on Saturday
Recruiting Tidbits
’18 OL Raiqwon O’Neal (Conway - SC)
After talking with O’Neal, he has informed Scarlet Nation that he is planning on moving his official visit date to the second week of December. There has been talk around a lot of commits to make the second week of December a big official visit weekend. With O’Neal pushing his visit back, a lot of others could wind up joining him that weekend.
’18 DE Randy Charlton (Southridge - NJ)
Charlton is currently hearing a lot from Utah and there is a good chance he takes a visit up to check out the Utes. He is also still hearing quite a bit from Rutgers as the staff continues to remain heavily interested.
’18 QB Jalen Chatman (Narbonne - CA): As far as recruiting goes, Chatman is still very much committed to Rutgers, but is hearing a lot from New Mexico as they continue to push the idea of staying closer to home. Don’t expect anything to come of it as he is expected to stay committed to Rutgers.
Chatman was also recently selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American game and Narbonne OC Brandon Manumaleuna commented on that accomplishment.
"We are extremely proud of Jalen and his selection to the Blue-Grey All Star game. He's a great young man who continues to excel on and off the field. This is another great accomplishment for him.”
’18 DE Nick Fulwider (Sandy Creek - GA)
He was originally set to take an official visit this weekend to Rutgers, but plans on pushing it back to the end of September. He will now take an official visit to Rutgers on Sept 30th, when the team takes on Ohio State.
Saturday Visitor List
Class of 2018
QB Joshua Zamot (Holy Spirit - NJ)
WR Jasiah Provillon (Irvington - NJ)
WR Amad Anderson (Curtis - NY) - Official visit *
OL Matt Rosso (Pennsbury - PA) *
LB Christian Arrington (Cumberland Valley - PA)
DB Jarrett Paul (Paramus Catholic - NJ) *
Class of 2019
RB Jelani Machen (Landon - MD)
OL Bence Polgar (Wayne Hills - NJ)
DE Joe Rondi (Wayne Hills - NJ)
DE David Ojabo (Blair Academy - NJ)
LB Chayce Chalmers (Stonewall Jackson - XX)
DB Isaiah Johnston (Monroe - NJ)
DB Samuel Jackson (Troy - OH)
ATH Jaaron Hayek (Wayne Hills - NJ)
* Rutgers commit
Hoops Tidbits
’18 PF/C Warren Washington (Mission Hills - CA)
The big man took an official visit to Rutgers last weekend and even checked out the RU football game against Washington.
“It was a great visit. I felt lots of love over there, they have a great staff and campus,” Washington said. “I had lots of food, just discussed everything about New Jersey and what Rutgers has to offer. I had fun at the football game, got to hang with the team and stuff. My favorite part was just being able to spend some time with the coaches and other recruits at the Washington game.”
’19 PF Eric Dixon (Abington - PA)
The Pennsylvania forward is also fresh off a visit to Rutgers and had the opportunity to meet a host of players while on campus last Friday.
“It was really fun. I got to meet a couple of the players, a few recruits, and went down on the field,” Dixon said. “I talked with Geo [Baker], Mike [Williams], DeShawn [Freeman], and Myles [Johnson]. They’re all cool and they basically just told me what they like about the school.”
Team Tidbits
D-Line update
Last weekend marked the first ever college football game for Rutgers defensive end Willington Previlon. The redshirt sophomore did not register a tackle, but that could change this week as he may see more playing time with Jon Bateky bothered by an ankle injury suffered in the first half against Washington. The injury could keep Bateky out of action for this weekend's matchup against EMU. That would mean more run for Previlon, who has really transformed himself from a lean freshman into a sizable d-tackle.
“It has been a long transformation,” Previlon told Scarlet Nation this week. “I wish it could have happened quicker, but I felt if I could stick with the process, I would be fine. Since I got here, I have gained like 40 or 50 pounds.”
Previlon also talked about what it was like to start his career against then-No.8 Washington.
“It was nerve-wracking. I was nervous the whole first half."
The Rutgers d-line played formidably against Washington, but can ill afford a rash of injuries as it is not an extremely deep unit. Freshmen Brendan Bordner and Jaohne Duggan are expected to redshirt, but if injuries continue to mount, the staff will need to consider using one of those two players. The only other solution would be to convert an offensive lineman.
Eastern Michigan Tidbits
Quick Facts
Eastern Michigan has two players from the state of New Jersey. Ikie Calderon is a senior defensive back from Neptune who started eight games last year, but played in a backup role last weekend in a 24-7 win over Charlotte. Fullback Dez Horne is a freshman walk-on from Glassboro who did not see action last weekend.
Eastern Michigan actually has a player named Lion King. He is a junior defensive tackle from Southfield, Mich., who only appeared in one game last season.
More on the Eagles
There are not a whole lot of writers covering Eastern Michigan as that region has a heavy University of Michigan following. Nevertheless, we caught up with Ryan Zuke of MLive.com (Michigan’s version of NJ.com) who has written some pieces on EMU this summer and he answered a few questions about the team.
Scarlet Nation: What are the expectations for this season's EMU team?
Ryan Zuke: Expectations are to make it back to a bowl game and win it. The program has never been to two straight bowl games.
SN: Who are the team’s best players?
RZ: Quarterback Brogan Roback, a fifth-year senior who has a ton of experience. He had a breakout year last year and is a top 3 QB in the MAC for sure. WR Sergio Bailey II also is a top threat in the league. He was named to the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list and selected Third Team Preseason All-MAC by Athlon Sports. Jason Beck and Jeremiah Harris are the top two guys defensively. Beck was second on the team last year with 104 tackles and also had 7 tackles for loss. Harris was second on the team with four sacks.
SN: What is something about the team that opposing fan bases might not know?
RZ: Last season was their first winning since 1995 and their first bowl game since 1987.
SN: How likely is it that they could defeat Rutgers?
RZ: Eastern has a ton of returners and experience at the key skilled positions. There is a reason Rutgers is only a 5-point favorite. The Eagles could have enough fire power to pull it off.
