The Monday Morning Kickoff
It was commitment week at Rutgers last week as the Scarlet Knights landed five commits as NJ three-star running back Isaih Pecheco of Vineland got the ball rolling on Wednesday during an unofficial visit to Piscataway.
“They have a lot of guys in the NFL. Their record last year didn’t matter,” Pacheco said of Rutgers. “I just feel like that is going to be the best fit for me and my family. I think I can do some great things there and the coaches are going to turn that thing around. I have faith and I believe in them.”
Only a few hours after Pacheco’s commitment, Georgia linebacker Jayden McDonald of North Gwinnett High School announced his commitment.
“I've been to Rutgers twice so far and I liked the campus a lot. I've also liked the football facilities and also how everything was put together so well,” McDonald said. “I'm aiming to head back up sometime in July.”
The week’s third commitment came from a familiar place as Erasmus Hall cornerback Kessawn Abraham offered up his verbal pledge and will join Erasmus Hall alum Deonte Roberts next year at Rutgers.
“I committed to Rutgers because of the atmosphere and the coaching staff,” Abraham said. “I believe is what the staff says. I believe I will be coached to my full potential and I like the idea of playing close to home.”
Abraham was at Rutgers on Saturday for the RU Passing Camp, which featured 7-on-7 competition from teams all over the region. Before the competition even began, Rutgers scored a victory when St. Peter’s Prep safety Zamir Mickens committed to Rutgers while in The Hale Center with head coach Chris Ash.
“Whenever I came to Rutgers, I really had a good time. Coach Ash and Coach [Bill] Busch showed me a lot of love and they would call me during the week and hitting me up on twitter, just showing me a lot of love,” Mickens said. “I am very comfortable at Rutgers and I like how there is a Prep pipeline.”
The final commitment of the week came early Saturday evening when Pennsylvania offensive lineman Matt Rosso of Pennsbury High phoned in his commitment.
“It feels good to commit. There is a lot less to think about now,” Rosso said. “It has been a crazy process because I never knew about it. But I am glad I went through it. It was a lot of fun”
Rutgers also received a commitment from Connecticut O-lineman Travis Jones, who reconsidered the next day.
This past week marked the end of a very busy camp season as things should start to quiet down heading into the month of July. Be sure to check out our latest Scarlet Nation Podcast, featuring Tim Barrow and a host of high school coaches.