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National Signing Day 2015: Rutgers' targets and potential late additions

National Signing Day is notorious for surprises up until prospects actually sign, and these current targets could be looking at Rutgers on February 4.

By Kevin Recio
Paramus Catholic (NJ) ATH Najee Clayton at The Opening 2014
Paramus Catholic (NJ) ATH Najee Clayton at The Opening 2014
Studen Sports

We reviewed the current crop of commits in this breakdown, and now we'll take a look at potential targets who are still uncommitted. This list will be updated as more news surfaces (ratings based on 24/7 composite):

Najee Clayton - ATH, 6'3" 215 lbs.

Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ) - 3* | 0.8610

The versatile athlete from Paramus Catholic has played a variety of positions on both sides of the ball, but projects as a safety or linebacker at the college level. In addition to Rutgers, he holds offers from Florida, Syracuse, Pitt, Virginia, Iowa, Georgia Tech, and Boston College, among others. 24/7 crystal ball projections currently have him as a Rutgers lean by a slight margin, and he's scheduled to take an official visit to RU on January 23. Syracuse is recruiting him very hard as well, as he used this past weekend for a recruiting trip to upstate New York.

In other Paramus Catholic news, Rutgers is apparently going to hire former PC head coach Chris Partridge to the recruiting staff. This could be a key move to make inroads on recruits from Paramus Catholic like Clayton and '16 DE Rashan Gary, but it remains to be seen what this hire will do to relationships with other New Jersey high schools.

* * *

Sam Madden - OT, 6'7" 345 lbs.

Barnegat (Barnegat, NJ) - 3* | 0.8766

Madden's decommitment was big news for Rutgers fans, as he opened up his recruitment after Gary Andersen left the Badgers. Madden is a national recruit with offers from Iowa, Louisville, Miami (FL), Nebraska, Pitt, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others. He's a three-star composite, but 24/7 rates him as a four-star prospect with a 92 grade. His recruitment is stated to be wide-open, but Maize 'n' Brew caught up with Madden's father who listed Michigan as a high-interest program in light of the Harbaugh hiring (Madden does not currently hold an offer from UM):

"With Jim Harbaugh going to Michigan, they are of great interest. He's an amazing coach and I think he's going to turn that program around really fast. Both Michigan schools would definitely be of interest and there are a few other schools we've discussed." -Dave Madden, as told to Maize 'n' Brew

Madden isn't the only NJ recruit that Harbaugh has targeted, as current RU commit Jarius Adams received an offer last week as well. With the news of Blake Camper flipping to South Carolina, Sam Madden becomes a major target for Kyle Flood.

* * *

Shareef Miller - DE, 6'5" 220 lbs.

George Washington (Philadelphia, PA) - 3* | 0.8681

The big defensive end visited Rutgers on December 12 but is considered a tTFP lean at the moment (he's scheduled to visit State College for an official this weekend). He tweeted that he'll decide on his collegiate destination a couple days before Signing Day:

Other schools in the mix are Michigan State and Arizona State. Miller is taking a visit to Miami (FL) on January 30 and holds offers from many top programs, including a recent Florida offer.

* * *

Jawuan Harris - WR, 5'10" 185 lbs.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - 3* | 0.8004

Harris is currently committed to Florida Atlantic, but he is scheduled to visit Rutgers for the Scarlet Knights' huge January 23 recruiting weekend. Harris' Rivals profile shows he holds offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Louisville, among others.

* * *

Rashard Causey - CB, 6'0" 185 lbs.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - 3* | 0.8681

Causey recently decommitted from FAU and re-opened his recruitment, which could open the possibility of Rutgers getting a packaged deal for Causey and his high school teammate Jawuan Harris. Derek Tyson, SEC recruiting analyst for ESPN, recently tweeted that Rashard is looking at schools down south:

Causey is an ESPN 300 prospect with offers from Tennessee, Georgia, Miami (FL), Michigan, Notre Dame, and many others.

* * *

Chris Barr - WR, 5'10" 165 lbs.

Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL) - 3* | 0.8389

The current Utes commit could be looking elsewhere to play college ball:

He was in line for a visit to Rutgers, but that might not be the case anymore. In addition to Utah, Barr holds offers from Wisconsin, Pitt, Louisville, Maryland, and others.