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Commit Alert! Johnathan Lovett

The three-star running back has committed to Rutgers.

By Scott Logan
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

A big weekend of recruiting wins extended into Monday when Cherokee High School running back Johnathan Lovett announced his commitment to the Scarlet Knights.

This is the third commitment in as many days for Rutgers after three-star wide receiver Tyler Hayek committed on Saturday and four-star linebacker Tyshon Fogg did so on Sunday.

Lovett, a three-star running back, announced on Twitter Sunday night that he would be making his decision Monday evening, narrowing his options to Rutgers, Maryland, Temple, and Boston College. Of course, he selected the Scarlet Knights after months of speculation that he was a heavy Rutgers lean.

Rutgers was the fourth program to offer Lovett a scholarship back in early March. After being offered, he told NJ.com that Rutgers was "the offer I've been waiting for", and that it was one of the main schools he had aspirations to attend. Chris Ash and his staff have clearly taken a liking to Lovett, after having him in for February's Junior Day, and later hosted him for an unofficial visit in March.

At 5-11, 194 pounds, Lovett has the build to be a collegiate speedster, and has already exhibited those skills for the Cherokee Chiefs. As a junior last season, Lovett rushed for 1,307 yards on 196 carries (6.7 YPC) and 13 touchdowns. He shows great quickness and feet to blow past defenders and into the open field. When a defender can keep up with him, Lovett shows a strong ability to shake him off or deliver a lethal stiff arm to gain more yards.

In addition to Maryland, Temple, and BC, Lovett picked Rutgers over offers from Syracuse, Monmouth, and Old Dominion.

Rutgers' 2017 recruiting class now stands at a wildly impressive 16 members. 247Sports lists the Scarlet Knights among the top 20 classes in the nation, as well as fifth in the Big Ten behind just Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, and Northwestern.

Lovett is actually the second running back of the class, as fellow Jo(h)n, Jonathan Taylor, committed back on May 1st. Robert Martin and Josh Hicks will both be seniors by the time Lovett and Taylor arrive on the banks, and with not much youth at the position beyond incoming freshman Trey Sneed, both 2017 commits could stick at running back. Though it is worth noting Lovett has dabbled in the secondary at Cherokee.

You can take a look at Lovett's film right here:

Welcome to the banks, Johnathan!