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Numerous sources have reported that Michael Dare, 2015 Rutgers quarterback recruit who has played sparingly in his college career, will transfer to Lackawanna College for the 2017-2018 school year.
Dare, who red-shirted his freshman year, came to Rutgers from Elmwood Park Memorial High School, where he led the Crusaders to three consecutive playoff appearances while setting new passing records in almost every category.
It is not a surprise that Dare is leaving. He announced his decision to part ways with the Scarlet Knights last fall, soon after the end of the 2016 season.
Mike was a player who was caught in the change in offensive schemes between former head coach Kyle Flood and current head coach Chris Ash. Mike was recruited for, and intended to play in a pro-style offense that suited his skill set best. However, at the end of his red-shirt freshman season, Flood was fired, and new incoming coach Ash implemented a option scheme to the offense, which left Dare out of the mix of quarterbacks being given playing opportunities.
Dare was a VERY early recruit for the 2015 recruiting class, actually verbally committing to play on National Signing Day in 2014! He demonstrated his loyalty over and over again as a recruit at a time when decommitments were happening often under Flood.
Proud to be the 1st NJ RU Commit of Rec. Class of '15 - F.A.M.I.L.Y. #CHOP
— Mike Dare (@Mike_Dare18) February 5, 2014
Dare joins Chris Laviano and Hayden Rettig as quarterbacks who have transferred from Rutgers since last season. Laviano landed at San Diego State, while Rettig is at Tennessee Tech. A fourth signal caller, Tylin Oden, was dismissed from the program in the spring and is now at Garden City CC in Kansas.
Lackawanna College is a JUCO school based in Scranton, PA. Approximately 15% of the current squad hails from New Jersey and the program has sent players to power five schools in recent years. In an article by NJ Advance Media’s Ryan Dunleavy, Dare stated that going to Lackawanna is a way to demonstrate his skills to get attention for a return to a larger program. We wish him well in the future!