The Monday Morning Kickoff

Recruiting is heating up as June is becoming a very busy time for Rutgers recruiting. This week should also usher in plenty of action and The Monday Morning Kickoff gets you ready for a fresh week in the scarlet nation.

A view from the gridiron (Rutgers Football)

It was a busy week as Rutgers picked up three commits while a fourth player turned a soft verbal into a solid one. Under-the-radar linebacker Brandon Russell of the University School in Fort Lauderdale was the first to offer up his verbal pledge.

"He is under the radar," University School head coach Roger Harriot said. "The schools that did know about him didn't really want to publicize him. They were very strategic on how they handled him."

Fair Haven defensive end Donald Bedell continued the wave of commits and was followed by Rivals.com's No.1-ranked fullback in the nation, Jacob Kraut of Fletcher High in Neptune Beach, Fla.

Logan Lister closed out the week by solidifying his commitment during a Friday visit. The Katy, Tex., native had this to say following his decision.

"I'm going to Rutgers. I loved the people, I loved the coaching staff and I loved the education. I loved the ability to come here and win a national championship. I wouldn't have closed it [my recruitment] off so soon if I didn't feel like it was the right place but I felt like Rutgers was the right place for me."

There was plenty of action on campus Saturday as Don Bosco downed St. Peter's Prep to win the annual Rutgers passing camp. Among the camp participants were RU commits Saquan Hampton, Sidney Gopre, Justin Nelson and David Njoku. DePaul safety Kiy Hester also participated and declared that Rutgers remains his leader.

"Rutgers is in the lead right now," Hester said. "Just my relationship with the coaches; they all have been up front and real with me. Another thing is, it being close to home, my family can come see me play. My mom can come see me play."

Eastern Christian Academy (Md.) offensive lineman Jamie Herr returned to RU for another visit on Saturday and he could be very close to offering up his verbal pledge to the Scarlet Knights.

"I'm going to go back and talk to my coach and tell him how [the visit] went," Herr said. "We'll talk about whether it's time to make a decision or if I should wait some more. We'll see what happens and I'll take it from there."

Today will begin Rutgers' annual summer camp which will run through Wednesday. Stay logged onto Scarlet Nation for LIVE coverage of all the action as it unfolds in Piscataway.

The take from center court (Rutgers Basketball)

Eddie Jordan's first foray into the high school class of 2014 was a notable one, as the new head coach picked up a verbal commitment from 3-star Rivals150 forward Dwayne Foreman on Thursday afternoon.

A native of Spring Valley, N.Y., Foreman plays for Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia, and said the ability to play his college ball close to home weighed heavily in his decision.

Also playing a major factor was the impression Jordan left after he first spoke with Foreman several weeks ago.

"He made me feel like he was like family," Foreman said. "I felt like I could develop my game there and help develop Rutgers into a great program."I think he [Jordan] is a great person, a true, honest person. He'll tell me if I'm doing something wrong or right and he'll help me develop my game. He'll help me with everything, on and off the court."

A 6-foot-8 southpaw capable of handling either forward spot, Foreman chose the Scarlet Knights over offers from Alabama, Iowa State, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Providence, and Rhode Island, among others.

He becomes the second commitment for Rutgers in the class of 2014, joining Miami transfer and ASA (N.Y.) Junior College guard Bishop Daniels.