The Rutgers defense filled a position of need two days before the early national signing period on Wednesday, as 3-star defensive end Kaymar Mimes verbally committed on Monday night. It was first reported by Richie Schnyderite of Rivals.
COMMIT ALERT : Class of ‘18 & @WAVEPRIDE DE Kaymar Mimes has committed to #Rutgers. Just recently caught up with Mimes to talk about his commitment & much more! #NJ2RUhttps://t.co/G6780ye1Pv
— Richie Schnyderite (@RichieSRivals) December 18, 2017
The 6'5", 225 pound Mimes is from Long Branch, New Jersey and held offers from Wake Forest, Temple, UConn, while garnering interest from Boston College and Virginia Tech, per 247 Sports.
Rutgers offered Mimes last summer when he participated in the East Coast Elite Camp and was recruited by defensive line coach Shane Burnham. He took his official visit to Piscataway this past weekend.
Mimes is the brother of former Michigan State star Shilique Calhoun, who now plays linebacker for the Oakland Raiders. Recruiting analyst Todderick Hunt of NJ Advance Media wrote here that part of the reason Mimes was underrecruited was his lack of presence on social media. Hunt is high on his potential and commented on Mimes committing to Rutgers here:
Mimes is a nice pick-up for #Rutgers. Long, athletic, competitive and has good pedigree. The type of kid who gains 20 pounds in his first month in a college strength and conditioning program. And has huge developmental upside as a rush of more traditional d-end. Story in a few.
— Todderick Hunt (@TodderickHunt) December 18, 2017
While Mimes is projected as a defensive end in college, he did play tight end at Long Branch as well. He is a well rounded athlete, as he also plays basketball and is on the high school track & field team too.However, Rutgers needs a lot of help along the defensive line and he'll have an opportunity to play early on in his career on the banks.
Mimes joins fellow defensive ends and 3-star commits Matthew Thomas and Travon King in the 2018 recruiting class for Rutgers. The class currently has 21 commits and most are expected to make it official starting Wednesday when the early signing period begins. 247 Sports ranks Rutgers' 2018 class 42nd in the country and 10th in the Big Ten as of now.
Mimes is the type of player with huge upside and could develop into a key contributor for Chris Ash and Rutgers. Check out his senior year highlights here: