The Monday Morning Kickoff

Signing Day is close at hand and there is plenty to talk about in the world of Rutgers football. The Monday Morning Kickoff wakes you up to another new week in the scarlet nation.

A view from the gridiron (Rutgers Football)

Rutgers held its final official visit weekend with eleven players making the weekend trip to Piscataway. The group was comprised of mostly committed prospects, who had long since made their pledge to become a Scarlet Knight.

"It was really cool. Any time I've talked to the coaches before this, it was all about X's and O's and everything," said RU commit and Red Bank Catholic defensive tackle Josh Klecko. "This weekend, it was just cool to see the other side of them, where they were just laid back and not really worried about the X's and O's. They wanted to get to know me as a person, which was really cool."

South Brunswick's TJ Taylor was also among the contingent of RU commits and was hosted by sophomore wide receiver Miles Shuler.

"Being around somebody that's been in the same shoes I've been in is good," said Taylor. "He gave me a lot of tips. He told me it was going to be tough at first but to take as much in as possible. He really have me a lot of good information."

Defensive end Ade Aruna of La Porte, Ind., also made the trip and will make his final decision either today or tomorrow.

"I just have to sit down and kind of think of everything," Aruna said. "It's kind of crazy. I love Rutgers. I love Tulane, NC State too."

Stay logged onto Scarlet Nation for the latest developments through Signing Day. Our staff will also be on location once again all day Wednesday to bring you the latest throughout the day.

Last night was a big night for one of the top players ever to wear a Rutgers uniform. Former Rutgers running back and all-time leading rusher Ray Rice earned a Super Bowl victory last night as his Baltimore Ravens squad outlasted the San Francisco 49ers by a final of 34-29. Rice rushed for 59 yards in the win and also caught four passes.

Former Scarlet Knight Aklex Silvestro will also get himself a Super Bowl ring as part of the Ravens practice squad.

The take from center court (Rutgers Basketball)

Rutgers dropped its fourth straight contest last week with a 62-54 loss on the road against Cincinnati. That latest defeat drops the Scarlet Knights to 12-8 on the season and 3-6 in Big East competition.

"When they turned their intensity and defensive pressure up, we didn't have a response," said Rutgers head coach Mike Rice. "We had a lot of turnovers that led to their transition points and our lack of making field goals. Those things were critical to the game."

Rutgers will have had a full week off before it takes the floor again Wednesday night with a 7:30 p.m. home game against Louisville. That will begin a string of three straight home games for the Scarlet Knights with Georgetown and Seton Hall to follow.