DE Mike Tverdov talks Rutgers football, big picture

As members of the class of 2017 is venturing through their senior seasons, some prospects are still working out the kinks while others are having their way with the competition.

In three games this season, Union High School 3-Star defensive end Mike Tverdov already has 21 tackles, four sacks, eight TFL’S, and one fumble recovery for the Union High School Farmers.

Tverdov committed to play football at Rutgers back in June, choosing RU over offers from Boston College, Syracuse, Duke, Indiana, Minnesota, Pitt, Purdue, Virginia Tech, and many more.

Now, the 6-foot-3, 235 pounder is a part of a Scarlet Knights incoming class that is currently ranked No.22 in the nation by Rivals.com.

ScarletNation was able to catch up with Tverdov and talk to him a little bit about what he expects from this incoming recruiting class and the current status quo of Rutgers Football.

“Whenever you build a big house it's always going to get ugly before it gets pretty,” Tverdov said of RU’s recent struggles. “These are the times as a commit you have to be a leader. You can't hide through adversity. Everyone knows Rutgers is in a rebuilding stage right now, so there are going to be tough times, but we have to see the bigger picture.”

When head coach Chris Ash took over the Rutgers football program, he had some major changes in mind. Many recruits, just like Tverdov, have started to take notice and are now seeing some of those changes taking place.

“Overall, we're tackling way better as a team, taking care of the ball better for the most part and there's just a whole new attitude and atmosphere around Rutgers,” said Tverdov.

As far as recruiting is concerned, Rutgers currently has 22 commits in their class of 2017 and it doesn’t seem like the staff is stopping anytime soon. Tverdov, one of the leaders of the 2017 recruiting class, has been working on getting others on board and began creating bonds with fellow commits as well.

“I’m still working on recruiting some guys, not as much as I was throughout the summer," Tverdov said. "Although here and there, I still hit up recruits like Dalyn Wade-Perry, Brendan Bordner, and guys like that. As for us commits though, we are all planning on taking an official visit all on the same weekend; either the weekend of December 2nd or 9th, so that most of us will go together.”