Rutgers held its fourth and fifth spring practices Tuesday and Thursday respectively, and several highly regarded prospects visited campus to see the Knights in action.
Twin Brothers (a Rutgers specialty), and a Local Stud QB
On Tuesday, JUCO twins Vance and Vernard Roberts spent time with Coach Flood, and came away with positive impressions of the Rutgers football program.
Enjoyed my visit today at Rutgers University with my twin brother @vnice_7 Coach Flood is my dudeπ―π― #ScarletNationππ pic.twitter.com/1NLaItR3gR
β Vernard Roberts9β£ (@V_Roberts9) April 1, 2014
Great visit today with my twin @V_Roberts9 at Rutgers university. Coach Flood is my guy!!! #scarletnation pic.twitter.com/7YRcl9Jxu3
β Vance Roberts (@vnice_7) April 1, 2014
Vernard is the No. 2 rated JUCO running back in the country.Β Vance is being recruited as a defensive back.Β The two D.C. area athletes were both 3 star prospects in high school, and committed to West Virginia in 2011, but ended up at ASA College in Brooklyn for academic reasons.Β According to Todderick Hunt, the brothers are interested in playing together, which they have done ever since high school.Β They both have two years to play two, and want to make their collegiate decision(s) in May so they can enroll in June.
Also on campus Tuesday, 3* Montclair QB (and all purpose athletic weapon) Elijah Robinson met with Coach Flood, who extended him a long-awaited offer. Robinson is a dualthreat QB who wants to continue as a signal-caller in college, although some schools are recruiting the versatile athlete for other positions.Β According to Todderick, in addition to the family atmosphere for which Rutgers is well-known, one of the factors in Rutgers favor is the Knights' willingness to let him try his hand at QB and then switch to another position if it does not work out under center.Β Robinson visited Penn State last weekend but did not receive an offer.
Barnegat Trio and a PA Running Back Visit, and a New 4* Offer
State of Rutgers is reporting a trio of highly rated prospects from Barnegat, NJ will be on campus Thursday.
QB Cinjun Erskine, Ath Manny Bowen and OL Sam Madden will be at RU today. Check what their HC has to say about them. http://t.co/gHd0UeTjqz
β StateOfRutgers.com (@StateOfRutgers) April 3, 2014
Madden is a massive 6'7" 345 lb. 4* Offensive Tackle, with offers from RU, Pitt, Wisconsin, Iowa, Miami, Nebraska, South Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, to name a few.Β He has been on the Knights radar for a long time, and received his RU offer in June of last year. If he chooses Rutgers, that would be a major victory for Coach Flood and company.
Bowen is a 6'3" 206 lb. 4* Safety/LB/WR with 25+ offers, including Rutgers, Miami, MSU, Oklahoma, PoSU, Bama, Clemson, UNC, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.Β He is thought to be a Nitty Kitty lean, but maybe Coach Flood can jump to the top of his list today.
Erskine is a 4* dual threat quarterback.Β His most prominent offer is from Miami, and he does not appear to have an RU offer yet.Β That could change today, with Erskine joining his Barnegat teammates on the banks.Β Check back later for updates.
Also on campus today is Easton, PA running back Shane Simpson. Simpson does not have any BCS offers yet, but the Knights could be the first today. He is high on Rutgers, and could be a steal for Eastern PA recruiter and running backs coach Norries Wilson before he blows up.
Rutgers Visit/Spring Practice Tomorrow ππ―ππ #CHOPNation
β SS18 (@Shane_Simpson18) April 3, 2014
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p>Rutgers Spring Practice/ Visit Loved it there πππ― definitely coming to camp and another visit soon π <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23CHOPNation&src=hash">#CHOPNation</a> <a href="http://t.co/tfmvuc3NRT">pic.twitter.com/tfmvuc3NRT</a></p>— SS18 (@Shane_Simpson18) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shane_Simpson18/statuses/451779111221219329">April 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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The Knights also offered 4* LaGrange, OH TE C.J. Conrad yesterday.Β New Knights coaches and Ohio recruiters Ben McDaniels and Mitch Browning would love to nab the athletic Conrad from Urban Meyers' backyard.Β The 6'5" 225 lb. TE has offers from Kentucky, Arkansas, Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Pitt, Syracuse, VT and Wake Forest, but no tenders yet from the Buckeyes, Wolverines, Spartans or Nitty Kitties.
Rutgers offered!Β #BIG
β cj conrad (@cjconrad1) April 2, 2014