Kareem Ali Trims His List, Rutgers Makes the Cut (and Penn State Doesn't)

Kareem Ali, a 4* Defensive Back from South Jersey powerhouse Timber Creek (Sicklerville, NJ) released his top 8 schools via Twitter tonight, and Rutgers is among the finalists. 

Other finalists include Michigan State, Temple, Louisville, Maryland, North Carolina, Pitt and West Virginia. Welcome news to Rutgers fans, Penn State did not make the cut, although recruiting analysts once thought Ali was a Penn State lean. Ali's relationship with the Nittany Lions has seemingly cooled in the months since James Franklin took the reins in State College.

Ali is a high-priority target for Coach Flood and the Knights' staff.  He is a 5'11" 175 pound explosive playmaker on both sides of the ball.  He is being recruited as a CB, but he is dynamic as a RB and kick returner as well. Ali's junior season highlights are worth a watch.

Rutgers has done well with Timber Creek athletes in the past, including current Knights Quanzell Lambert and Myles Nash. The school has a number of other exciting prospects, including 2016 WR Cameron Chambers and 2015 OL Isaiah Hardy.

Pitt-bound Timber Creek WR Adonis Jennings was a Rutgers commit during 2014, but the relationship between RU and the 4* WR apparently soured when Jennings took a visit to a school after allegedly promising Coach Flood he would not.  Jennings and Ali are close, and it is unclear if the apparent rift between Jennings and RU affects Ali's consideration of the school.

Ali is set to decide where he will get his education in September.

Check out OTB's prior coverage of Ali, and stick with On the Banks for updates on potential future Knights.