PARAMUS, N.J.- For most New Jerseyans, Wednesday signified the latest installment of a winter's worth of inclement weather. But despite the nasty conditions outside, Wednesday was a beautiful day for Englewood native and Paramus Catholic defensive tackle Marquise Wright and his family. It signified a the realization of a lifelong dream, and a happy ending to a stressful and prolonged recruiting process.

"This is definitely a dream come true," Wright said. "I remember being younger and playing (the EA Sports video game) NCAA Football like any other kid and watching college football every week. I never thought I'd be good enough to get to this level, but now I'm where I want to be and I'm very thankful for it."

While Wright may have ultimately reached his destination of choice, the journey to that destination was not without its twists and turns.

"The process was very frustrating, especially after what happened with Pitt," said Regina Spearman, Marquise's mother.

Wright was a Pitt commit until the firing of head coach Dave Wannstedt and subsequent restructuring of the coaching staff.

"I believe things happen for a reason though. Marquise always liked Rutgers, but for one reason or another they weren't in the recruiting picture. When things happened with Pitt, it gave them (Rutgers) an opportunity to come into the recruiting picture. This is where he wants to be, and he's happy. It's good to see him happy."

After committing to the Panthers, Wright said he realized the possibility of a staff shakeup was always on the horizon, yet he felt it would not be something that would affect him.

"I mean, I knew it (a coaching change) could happen, it happens every day in college football," Wright said. "I just never thought it would happen to me."

Following his de-commitment from Pitt, Wright was turned on to the Rutgers program by one of the major forces that influenced him pledging to Pitt in the first place. That force was ex-Pitt assistant and current Rutgers defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley.

"I like Coach Hafley a lot, not just as a coach and recruiter but as a friend," Wright said. "He's definitely someone I look up to and admire. During the time he was recruiting me to Pitt and then Rutgers, he never once spoke badly about another school, he was just always straightforward with me."

"At first, I honestly never thought I would end up at Rutgers, but speaking with Coach Hafley, it made me really like the school," continued Wright. "Not that he was the only reason I decided to go there, but he has my best interests at heart and that's big."

Spearman said Hafley made a huge impression on her as a mother throughout her son's recruitment.

"We were very close to Coach Hafley, he had been in my house when he was recruiting Marquise to Pitt," she said. "When he switched to Rutgers, he saw it was a good fit for Marquise. He knew it was close and saw that would be good because of the relationship he (Marquise) has with his family. Marquise and Coach Hafley developed a friendship and an understanding, which helped a lot."

Spearman was also impressed by the attitudes of fellow Rutgers recruits and their familes when Marquise made his official visit to the Banks in late January.

"These kids aren't just committed to the program, they are committed to each other. When we had our official weekend, the connection of the Jersey kids blew my mind. Their connection and their interaction, to me it was the most dominant part of the weekend."

Wright expressed a deep appreciation for the Jersey kids that packed the Paramus Catholic library yesterday afternoon to celebrate the college signings of Wright and two teammates.

"A lot of kids here (in the library) are my friends, I'm really close with a lot of them," Wright said. "Throughout the recruiting process, when I was stressed out some nights, a lot of these kids were there for me. I love them. Me playing at home (at Rutgers) and my friends being able to come to the games is a great thing. "

Wright also added that the goal he and the other members of this year's recruiting class have is simple.

"We're going to put Rutgers back on the map," he said.