Michael J. Redden: My NSD Thoughts

Feb 3, 2010 | By: Random Blogger

Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano will close his ninth recruiting class today in a flourish, finishing strong and raising eyebrows throughout the football world. After starting this recruiting cycle perhaps slower than previous years, Schiano took the reins after the departure of longtime recruiting coordinator Joe Susan and closed the deal on a number of highly touted prospects. This morning, on the biggest day of the year in football recruiting, I will hand out its report card on the new batch of Scarlet Knights. The entire recruiting class will be graded by position and as a whole.

QB- Going into next year, Rutgers is a little thin depth-wise at the position returning only Steve Shimko and Tom Savage after losing Jabulani Lovelace to graduation and D.C. Jefferson to a position change. This year, Rutgers secured the commitment of only one quarterback prospect, but made it meaningful by picking up South Carolina gunslinger, Chas Dodd. I am very high on Dodd as a prospect. He seems to have a swagger about him that just screams leadership capabilities. Although he lacks what many would consider adequate NFL height and build, Dodd had an epic high school career playing for powerhouse Duncan Byrnes High School and throwing for over 4,000 yards his senior year. Dodd will likely be able to push Savage and will likely, one day run the show effectively in my opinion. When you take into consideration that Rutgers also runs 10-20 plays a game out of the “Wildcat” with Sanu, Rutgers now appears to have depth behind Savage, and legitimate talent at the position.

My Grade- B+

RB- I feel that going into next year, running back could be a major concern. Joe Martinek has been steady at the position for the last two years however there is not a lot of proven depth at the position due to the defection of Jourdan Brooks. Rutgers also missed out on some excellent prospects such as Corey Brown. However, they nicely rebounded by Jawan Jamison out of the Bolles School in Florida. I like Jamison as a recruit. He runs decisively with a low center of gravity, and kind of reminds me of a certain previous Rutgers running back. I think that Jamison will fit in well in the Rutgers offense and is an excellent pick-up. I also love Jordan Thomas, and think that if he gets a shot at RB, could add an added dimension that Rutgers hasn’t had in recent years, in having a true pass-catching tailback. Although I am very high on the prospects that we got signatures from there is still a level of uncertainty over how much of an impact these recruits can make next year which is why I give the group a strong B.

My Grade B

Receiver- I was surprised by how many receivers that Rutgers took in this class however it appears that they received a nice mix of talent. Headlining this group is Brandon Coleman who is a highly regarded prospect nationally standing at 6-foot-6. J.T. Tartacoff and Jawaun Wynn complement the group with speed. However both could use some polishing in the route-running department, and Tartacoff will likely need to spend some time in the weight room to work on his build. That being said, both prospects have a load of potential and I am excited to see them on the banks. Jeremy Deering is perhaps, the most ready- to- play recruit that Rutgers has received on the offensive side of the ball and will likely contribute immediately at the position. With the size of Wynn (6-foot-3) and Coleman (6-foot-6) to go along with the speed to Johnson, Tartacoff and Deering, Rutgers did an excellent job of diversifying the talent at the position. With the commitment of Deering, who I think will be a exceptional, I give this group a B+ due to the vast array of talent accumulated. When you pick-up six wide receivers in a class, you have to figure that at least two of them will end up contributing in a big way. Noticeably missing is a tight end recruit, which is another position where Rutgers is lacking proven depth.

SOR Grade- B+

Offensive Line- Going into this recruiting cycle this was clearly an area of need for the program. After losing three starters in Anthony Davis, Ryan Blazcyk and Kevin Haslam to the NFL Draft or graduation, the staff felt a need to address this position and did so by taking six prospects. While each of the prospects that Rutgers received commitments from has some ability, there isn’t really a headliner to the group. Jorge Vicioso is the only true Left Tackle out of the group, and could be one of the most if not the most important recruit in the entire class due to the glaring need at the position. Hopefully he will continue to make progress in the class room and get past the NCAA clearinghouse. Having Frank Quartucci and Betim Bujari enroll early is also a definite plus. Both are strong, well-built lineman who will not have to shed weight to get into playing shape. They both have some kinks in their technique that they need to work on in order to contribute but if they are able to do so, both could be valuable pickups. Rounding out the class are Chris Fonti and Rob Forst. Both are likely projects. Fonti will need to fully grow into his body but due to his massive size, could have an incredible amount of potential. While Rutgers did a good job focusing on this position, they did lose out on a couple of talented prospects such as Dan Foose and Shane Johnson who may have improved this class as a whole. That being said, Coach Flood is an expert at developing lineman and now has a nice group of young players to work with.

SOR Grade- B-

Defense-

Defensive Line- Rutgers really made a push early on in the process to try and acquire some elite talent on this area of the roster. Early on, Rutgers was under heavy consideration from elite prospects such as Ego Ferguson, TJ Clemmings, Dominique Easley, Shariff Floyd and Lynden Trail. Unfortunately, Rutgers was unable to land any of these players. However, the staff should be given credit for going after them and going toe-to-toe with some of the biggest programs in the country. Rutgers ended up receiving commitments from Taj Alexander, a well-built defensive tackle who flew under the radar, and Djwany Mera, a gap shooting lineman who fit’s the Rutgers mold. Both of these players are relative unknowns and will likely need some grooming before being ready to contribute. Luckily, Rutgers has depth at the position returning and these kids will have some real talent to compete with. Furthermore, Greg Schiano & Co. seem to have a knack for finding and grooming great defensive lineman, many of whom were unheralded as recruits such as Eric Foster, Justin Francis, and Pete Tverdov. Dave Milewski could also end up as defensive end as he definitely has the frame to put on the weight and work in the trenches. I grade this group out as a B- since it was not necessarily an area of need.

SOR Grade B-

Linebacker- To me, this is one of the strongest areas of the class. Malcolm Cater was #2 on the Rutgers recruiting board behind Khari Fortt and was the best player out of Long Island this year. Marcus Thompson has the build, and talent to contribute immediately, and beating out Florida St. is another feather in the cap for the program’s recruiting efforts in Florida. Sam Bergen, while overcoming a serious knee injury is a well-built player, who hits violently. If he can become healthy, it can get interesting. Rounding out the class are Dave Milewski and Fred Overstreet. Milewski will need some time in the weight room to add bulk yet has an impressive nose for the ball. Overstreet was snagged from the Minnesota Golden Gophers and is a high-motor relentless player who amasses tackles in great numbers. In my opinion, Cater and Thompson are can’t miss players. I also believe that Bergen will be a monster if and when he becomes healthy. When you take these five guys and add them to the talent that Rutgers already has at the position, you can presume that Rutgers will have the best linebackers in the Big East conference for years to come.

SOR Grade- A

Defensive Back-Last year Rutgers loaded up on defensive backs who will likely be in the mix this upcoming year. This year, Rutgers did an excellent job addressing this area, picking up two can’t-miss safeties in Lorenzo Waters and Rashad Knight. If Rutgers can keep Gareef Glashen tomorrow they will have landed a nice group of DBs. With the DB talent on the Rutgers roster already and with this group coming in next year, Rutgers will likely have more talent in the defensive backfield than it has ever had before in its 100-plus year history.

SOR Grade A+

There will likely be some developments throughout the day. Standing as it is this morning, this class is a true testament to how far Rutgers has come since Greg Schiano took over the program. Rutgers was able to go into Florida and beat Florida St. for Deering, Knight, and Thompson, and was also able to go into Maryland and beat ACC schools out for Brandon Coleman and Lorenzo Waters. After losing out on or near signing day

Updated On: Feb 4, 2010 10:03 AM

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