/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49876779/usa-today-8957183.0.jpg)
Rutgers' 2017 recruiting class got even even stronger today when West Orange linebacker C.J. Onyechi announced his commitment to the Scarlet Knights.
#RU2021 pic.twitter.com/Z3wnobdTcv
— C.J. Onyechi (@jaycruiser23) June 16, 2016
Onyechi, a three-star recruit according to 247Sports, is the 13th member of what is looking to be Rutgers' best recruiting class in years.
The 6-2, 220-pounder is a pure pass rusher. He shows great burst off the line and uses his speed to put the ball carrier down behind the line of scrimmage. Onyechi doesn't need strength to overwhelm his opponents, instead displaying impressive technique in how he approaches each play. Even if he seems overmatched by a ball carrier's size or strength, Onyechi makes a bee line for him, wraps him up, and spins him down. He also shows great vision and ball awareness, focusing on making a tackle while simultaneously trying to poke the ball away from his opponent.
Rutgers became the second team to offer Onyechi when they did so back on February 19. Including Rutgers, he holds 10 offers, including Temple, Buffalo, the service academies (Army, Navy, and Air Force), and several Ivy League schools (Cornell, Princeton, Columbia, and Harvard).
Chris Ash continues to make a huge impact to the Rutgers football program before coaching in a game. It's only mid-June, but the class already stands at 13 members. The final 2016 class consisted of 18 members.
Onyechi is the first linebacker of the 2017 class, and the fourth defender, joining cornerbacks Naijee Jones and Tim Barrow and safety Edwin Lopez.
You can take a look at Onyechi's film right here:
Welcome to the banks, C.J.!