Rutgers enters race for NJ Offensive Lineman Chris Mayo

Peddie School (Hightstown, N.J.) offensive lineman Chris Mayo picked up a Rutgers offer on Sunday, which came during the team’s second junior day of the year. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound sophomore revealed how he learned about that offer.

“I was watching some of the players workout and they called me into Coach [Chris] Ash’s office. He told me I am a talented player, who always tries his hardest. He said I fit the mold of what they are looking for and he offered me a scholarship.”

The offer took Mayo by surprise.

“I wasn’t expecting the Rutgers offer, just because they have been recruiting me for a while,” he said. “So I didn’t think they were going to offer me. It came as a huge surprise and I was really happy. They are definitely very proud of what they are doing and what they are building there. They showed me the facilities they are building and they are very proud of that. I like that a lot about Rutgers. And regardless of who the coach was, the players always toughed it out.”

Mayo has already build a very strong bond with RU offensive line coach AJ Blazek.

“After I got offered by Coach Ash, I told Coach Blazek about it. He was really excited,” Mayo said. “Coach Blazek has been recruiting me for two or three years now. He was just really happy for me. He watched me lift at The Peddie School early in the morning and he said that pushed them to offer me. It means a lot because he has really been there for me since my freshman year of high school.”

Last year, Mayo received early offers from Virginia, Tennessee and Syracuse. Looking ahead to the spring, he is planning to take trips to Notre Dame, Miami and Penn State.

Mayo is also taking advantage of an extra year as he reclassified to the class of 2020 when he arrived at Peddie.

“I get an extra year to get smarter, stronger and faster and I am focusing on all of that. I am taking full advantage of the extra year.”

Last season, Mayo played offensive guard, but some schools are projecting him as an offensive tackle at the college level.