Recruiting Tidbits:
‘18 PWO QB Austin Albericci (Northern Valley Demarent - NJ) on committing to Rutgers:
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play college football in the Big 10. We have some talent on this year’s team and if we can get up near 6-8 wins, we can get back to the way Rutgers football used to be.”
More from Albericci later today!
‘19 DB Donald Williams (Camden - NJ) on his performance at 7-on-7 camp and his recruitment:
“We did pretty well during the camp. I talked a lot with coaches Cory (Robinson), Noah (Joseph), and the defensive coordinator Jay Niemann at the camp. They basically just told me to play smart because I’m still recovering from a hamstring injury. They me just don’t too much and don’t do anything to hurt it.
“I plan on visiting again real soon. I’m just going to come back up to come back up and see Rutgers again after the dead period," said Williams. “I’m still open. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I do plan on checking out a couple other schools. As of right now, the only school I will definitely be visiting is West Virginia. Like I said no date set up yet, but definitely some time this summer.”
‘19 OL James Prince (Archbishop Stepinac - NY) on recent Rutgers interest:
“Rutgers has said that if they don’t get their top guys in the first signing, then I will be up next for them. With CJ Hanson committing, they are only taking one more inside player.”
This is definitely something to note for a couple of reasons. First, it seems as though Rutgers sees Hanson as an interior guy for them. Two, Rutgers is ideally looking to add one more interior guy, and Christian Mahogany is arguably the top remaining target for that spot. Finally, it shows that Prince could be a real target down the line to keep an eye on.
‘19 DE Smith Vilbert (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ):
After recently receiving an offer from Rutgers, some other schools have began to show more interest in the 2019 prospect. Earlier this week Vilbert started hearing from the likes of Boston College and UCF. This one is interesting because former Rutgers coach Shane Burnham is now the new DL coach at UCF.
‘19 LB Mohamed Toure (Pleasantville - NJ):
Hearing right now that Toure is very close to committing and I mentioned on the board the other day he is leaning very heavily towards one of the other local schools. With only a few spots left and some bigger named targets on the list, Rutgers hasn’t showed as much interest in Toure as it had earlier this spring.
Richie Rumblings:
In honor of the Fourth of July, which resolves around a celebration, I wanted to quickly give four reasons of hope for the Rutgers football team in 2018.
BASKETBALL: One of our new guys on the staff is Nick LeTourneau. On Thursday afternoon Nick took a deep look into the Rutgers Scarlet Knights transfer guard Peter Kiss and gave a great evaluation of his game and more.
READ MORE ABOUT THE EVAL OF PETER KISS HERE!
FOOTBALL: Right now it sounds like Bless Austin might not be 100 percent for the opening game of the season vs. Texas State. I wouldn’t worry too much about that as Rutgers has some very good cornerbacks behind him in Tre Avery and Isaiah Wharton. The key here is getting him fully healthy and ready to go for game two versus Ohio State, where the staff will need him the most.
TKR has also learned that Rutgers has decided to keep Kobe Marfo at cornerback for the time being after he recently worked with the safeties. Marfo, Tim Barrow and Avery (when Austin is full healthy) will be running with the two’s this upcoming season.
There are many position battles that will continue on during training camp. In a two part series, TKR will take a look at all of them. Check out the starting spots that are up for grabs on the offensive side of ball HERE.
2019 BIG BOARD
‘18 PWO QB Austin Albericci (Northern Valley Demarent - NJ) on committing to Rutgers:
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play college football in the Big 10. We have some talent on this year’s team and if we can get up near 6-8 wins, we can get back to the way Rutgers football used to be.”
More from Albericci later today!
‘19 DB Donald Williams (Camden - NJ) on his performance at 7-on-7 camp and his recruitment:
“We did pretty well during the camp. I talked a lot with coaches Cory (Robinson), Noah (Joseph), and the defensive coordinator Jay Niemann at the camp. They basically just told me to play smart because I’m still recovering from a hamstring injury. They me just don’t too much and don’t do anything to hurt it.
“I plan on visiting again real soon. I’m just going to come back up to come back up and see Rutgers again after the dead period," said Williams. “I’m still open. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I do plan on checking out a couple other schools. As of right now, the only school I will definitely be visiting is West Virginia. Like I said no date set up yet, but definitely some time this summer.”
‘19 OL James Prince (Archbishop Stepinac - NY) on recent Rutgers interest:
“Rutgers has said that if they don’t get their top guys in the first signing, then I will be up next for them. With CJ Hanson committing, they are only taking one more inside player.”
This is definitely something to note for a couple of reasons. First, it seems as though Rutgers sees Hanson as an interior guy for them. Two, Rutgers is ideally looking to add one more interior guy, and Christian Mahogany is arguably the top remaining target for that spot. Finally, it shows that Prince could be a real target down the line to keep an eye on.
‘19 DE Smith Vilbert (St. Joe’s Regional - NJ):
After recently receiving an offer from Rutgers, some other schools have began to show more interest in the 2019 prospect. Earlier this week Vilbert started hearing from the likes of Boston College and UCF. This one is interesting because former Rutgers coach Shane Burnham is now the new DL coach at UCF.
‘19 LB Mohamed Toure (Pleasantville - NJ):
Hearing right now that Toure is very close to committing and I mentioned on the board the other day he is leaning very heavily towards one of the other local schools. With only a few spots left and some bigger named targets on the list, Rutgers hasn’t showed as much interest in Toure as it had earlier this spring.
Richie Rumblings:
- Rutgers will land two in-state defensive linemen in 2019
In honor of the Fourth of July, which resolves around a celebration, I wanted to quickly give four reasons of hope for the Rutgers football team in 2018.
- The schedule -- especially early on -- sets up nicely for Rutgers before it gets into the meat of Big Ten Conference play. There’s a chance that Rutgers can start the year 6-1 if everything goes to plan. They will need to stay healthy, get improved quarterback play and offensive production, and the defensive back seven will have to create turnovers. However, remember the same teams that Rutgers fans think the Scarlet Knights can beat are the same teams that think they can circle a “W” as well. Nonetheless, beating Texas State, Kansas, Buffalo, Indiana, Illinois, and Maryland to start off isn’t too far-fetched.
- The second reason is the perceived improvement from the quarterback position. Rutgers has struggled on offense the last few years and a big reason was poor play from the most important player on the field. Freshman Artur Sitkowski will likely be the starter and showed flashes during the spring as an early enrollee.
- The third reason for hope is a third season in the same defense. Defensive coordinator Jay Niemann is back and so is the scheme, even if it is a tad different with the JACK. Even so, Rutgers went with that defense last year so everything won’t be as new. The linebackers and the secondary will be the strength of the defense, and if the line can generate any pressure, Rutgers will be in good shape on that side of the ball.
- Lastly, going back to the offense, John McNulty is back for his second stint as the play caller for the Scarlet Knights, and he brings back with him a wealth of knowledge after spending the last decade in the NFL. McNulty was the offensive coordinator for Rutgers’ best offensive years in the mid-2000s, so there is optimism that he will call a good game and, develop the quarterbacks, and put the players in the best position to succeed. Look for Rutgers to be more balanced this season with a solid stable of backs, young, but promising wide receivers, and a good trio of tight ends that will be utilized a lot.
- Quarterback
- Weakside Linebacker
- Slot Receiver
- Left Guard
- Running Back
BASKETBALL: One of our new guys on the staff is Nick LeTourneau. On Thursday afternoon Nick took a deep look into the Rutgers Scarlet Knights transfer guard Peter Kiss and gave a great evaluation of his game and more.
READ MORE ABOUT THE EVAL OF PETER KISS HERE!
FOOTBALL: Right now it sounds like Bless Austin might not be 100 percent for the opening game of the season vs. Texas State. I wouldn’t worry too much about that as Rutgers has some very good cornerbacks behind him in Tre Avery and Isaiah Wharton. The key here is getting him fully healthy and ready to go for game two versus Ohio State, where the staff will need him the most.
TKR has also learned that Rutgers has decided to keep Kobe Marfo at cornerback for the time being after he recently worked with the safeties. Marfo, Tim Barrow and Avery (when Austin is full healthy) will be running with the two’s this upcoming season.
There are many position battles that will continue on during training camp. In a two part series, TKR will take a look at all of them. Check out the starting spots that are up for grabs on the offensive side of ball HERE.
2019 BIG BOARD
