Rutgers adds commitment from 3-star recruit Rashad Rochelle

Rutgers is off to a hot start in the Class of 2022.

In September, Rutgers landed a commitment from Addison Copeland III, a 3-star wide receiver out of New York. On Monday, the Scarlet Knights got a verbal commitment from Rashad Rochelle, a 2022 3-star recruit per 247Sports. The Springfield High School product (IL) is a quarterback for his current team but Rutgers intends to use him as a pass catcher.

“Rutgers recruited me to play wide receiver,” Rochelle told Todderick Hunt of NJ Advance Media following his announcement. “They believe I could really fit in with the offensive game plan and I would have a great experience at Rutgers.”

Rochelle is an incredible athlete at 6-foot and 175-pounds. According to his Hudl, Rochelle clocks in at 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and has a 215-pound bench press to go along with a 300-pound squat. Rochelle’s athleticism and strength is something that Greg Schiano and wide receivers’ coach Tiquan Underwood feel good about.

Underwood took the lead when recruiting Rochelle but he spoke to many coaches throughout the process. There were many schools after Rochelle such as home state Illinois, Duke, Purdue, Texas A&M, and Florida State, among others.

“I want to feel like I can make a difference playing for the school I pick and I need stability with the coaches,” Rochelle said. “And I know they will be there after the commitment.”

That is certainly the case at Rutgers as Schiano is preparing for his first game back as head coach of the Scarlet Knights. The commitment of Rochelle fits into a theme with Copeland. Schiano has set the tone with going out of state to land dynamic playmakers that can help the offense.

“I feel great about Rutgers, they are in really good standing with me and my family,” Rochelle said.

Although it’s very early in the recruiting cycle, Rutgers 2022 class is currently ranked 33rd nationally and 8th in the Big Ten per 247 Sports.