4-star commit Kaj Sanders is now a strong recruiting advocate for Rutgers. Photo credit Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
Episode No. 107 of The Scarlet Faithful podcast focuses on the positive momentum in recruiting that both Rutgers men’s basketball and football are building.
Football has now landed two 4-star recruits in a row in Korey Duff Jr. and Kaj Sanders. Both are local and show the staff is making strides to keep top talent home. After Greg Schiano and the staff built a solid base in the 2024 class, Rutgers is now adding highly rated prospects.
One reason I think forward recruiting momentum is sustainable for both programs is the belief that top commits are showing.
Sanders has been vocal since Saturday about he is recruiting other highly rated prospects to come to Rutgers. We’ve seen the same with No. 2 recruit Ace Bailey making it very clear how much he wants No. 1 recruit Dylan Harper to come to Rutgers with him.
Harper continues to be pursued heavily by Rutgers. Steve Pikiell and his staff have done everything to show the top recruit what he means to the future of the program. They’re showing how they view him a transformational recruit and having Bailey as part of their message is critical.
Other recruiting topics in this episode include the need for balancing top recruits locally vs. nationally, the strategies and approaches by both coaching staffs as well as the importance of top talent wanting to be surrounded by top talent.
You can listen and watch to this episode of The Scarlet Faithful podcast below.
Audio
Video
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To Aaron’s point about the football program recruiting not being an overnight success story in terms of expectations rings true to me. Since Schiano 2.0, what I’ve observed in terms of NJ recruiting success is a subtle but important change in Jersey recruits’ attitude towards Rutgers. Being part of the Big Ten is obviously important, and I sense local recruits now actually give Rutgers a legit look when they narrow down their final choices, even when they go elsewhere. This is in marked contrast to the early years in the Big Ten membership when a Jersey recruit would mention Rutgers only as a courtesy with no real intention of giving the program real consideration. As I said, it’s subtle – but meaningful. The program now needs to begin to show an upgrade in performance on the field. This season is important in terms of being competitive throughout the season even if it falls short of 6 wins and a bowl bid. Next season will be the most critical, in my opinion, when current RS frosh, sophs and the current ’23 class have had a full season under the coaching of the current staff. I honestly think Schiano finally has the coaching staff in place to achieve his “this is a development program” vision and the team is building the depth of talent (though not yet the experience) necessary to be successful in the Big Ten. As I see it, recruits in the ’25 class (including Jersey recruits), as well as players entering the transfer portal, will take note of incremental success and begin to think in terms of being important “difference” makers in this program. It’s already happening with basketball, isn’t it?!
pj43
July 11, 2023 at 2:28 pm
To Aaron’s point about the football program recruiting not being an overnight success story in terms of expectations rings true to me. Since Schiano 2.0, what I’ve observed in terms of NJ recruiting success is a subtle but important change in Jersey recruits’ attitude towards Rutgers. Being part of the Big Ten is obviously important, and I sense local recruits now actually give Rutgers a legit look when they narrow down their final choices, even when they go elsewhere. This is in marked contrast to the early years in the Big Ten membership when a Jersey recruit would mention Rutgers only as a courtesy with no real intention of giving the program real consideration. As I said, it’s subtle – but meaningful. The program now needs to begin to show an upgrade in performance on the field. This season is important in terms of being competitive throughout the season even if it falls short of 6 wins and a bowl bid. Next season will be the most critical, in my opinion, when current RS frosh, sophs and the current ’23 class have had a full season under the coaching of the current staff. I honestly think Schiano finally has the coaching staff in place to achieve his “this is a development program” vision and the team is building the depth of talent (though not yet the experience) necessary to be successful in the Big Ten. As I see it, recruits in the ’25 class (including Jersey recruits), as well as players entering the transfer portal, will take note of incremental success and begin to think in terms of being important “difference” makers in this program. It’s already happening with basketball, isn’t it?!