Final Weeks Of Recruiting Sees Rutgers Land Their MLB
D.J. Moss Commits, As Does Three Other Recruits
02/16/2008
Written By: Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN NCAA Football Analyst
[Piscataway, New Jersey]-- Head coach
Greg Schiano admitted he was a little worried after the week four of recruiting had concluded, and middle linebacker
D.J. Moss wasn't the prospect to commit.
Instead, fullback
John Givens, a 6'0, 236 pound "run people over" fullback, committed to the Scarlet Knights. Givens, who is out of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was also receiving interest from Iowa and Ball State.
With week four gone, and week five approaching, Schiano knew his pitch to Moss was going to have to be a great one.
When he met with Moss during the week they discussed several things that interested Moss, including Conference Prestige, Fan Base, as well as Coach Prestige. Schiano assured him Rutgers had all of these attributes.
D.J. Moss then signed his letter of intent right there on the spot, officially making him a Scarlet Knight for the 2008-2009 season.
"It feels good to get it out of the way," said Moss.
"I like what Rutgers has to offer, and coach Schiano assured me that they will meet my needs."
Moss wasn't the only prospect to commit during week five, as two other wide receivers will also be joining the Scarlet Knights in 2008.
Leon Rouse, a 6'0 receiver out of Irondequoit, New York, committed to the Scarlet Knights as well. Rouse was also receiving interest from Boston College and Purdue.
Another wide receiver committed also. A man out of Rome, New York, a 6'2 target for Mike Teel this year,
Jack Heyward signed his letter of intent just a day after Leon Rouse had signed his, giving the Scarlet Knights two future wide receivers that look very bright.
The Scarlet Knights finished with the number 23 overall ranked recruiting class. The school with the top ranked recruiting class went to USC.
The Scarlet Knights are figuring to contend next year in the Big East, but any hopes of repeating what they've done this past year would just be silly.
"We lost a lot of talent this past year due to graduation, and we're really young this year," said Schiano.
"Ray Rice and Teel are going to have to step it up and play beyond expected this year to lead an overall young squad."