Football Announces 2015 Recruiting Class
Feb 04 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood officially welcomed 25 student-athletes to the football program Wednesday on National Signing Day. All have signed National Letters of Intent.
Blessuan Austin (Queens, N.Y.), Jon Bateky (Boyds, Md.), Isaiah Johnson (Oakland, Calif.) and Deonte Roberts (Brooklyn, N.Y.) are already enrolled at Rutgers and are set to participate in spring practice with the Scarlet Knights, beginning March 30.
The remaining 21 signees will that will join the program include Jarius Adams (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Rashad Blunt (St. John's, Fla.), Ron'Dell Carter (Baltimore, Md.), Najee Clayton (Paterson, N.J.), Michael Dare (Elmwood Park, N.J.), Anthony Folkerts (Ray City, Ga.), Marques Ford (Riverview, Fla.), Sidney Gopre (Newark, N.J.), Nakia Griffin (Tenafly, N.J.), Jawuan Harris (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), Jonah Jackson (Media, Pa.), Ronnie James (Clayton, N.J.), Kaiwan Lewis (Pleasantville, N.J.), Trevor Morris (King of Prussia, Pa.), Dontae Owens (Reading, Pa.), Willington Previlon (Orange, N.J.), Kamaal Seymour (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Jack Shutack (Western Springs, Ill.), Charles Snorweah (Levittown, Pa.), Manny Taylor (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Zach Venesky (Peckville, Pa.).
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*already enrolled
Jarius Adams
DB · 5-10 · 180
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./William T. Dwyer High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Jack Daniels at Dwyer ... played strong safety, linebacker and cornerback in high school ... projected to play cornerback at the collegiate level ... recorded a team-leading 98 tackles and five interceptions as a senior ... named First Team 7A in a vote of the coaches and Palm Beach Post First Team Defensive All-Area ... team won Class 7A state title as a junior ... a consensus three-star recruit ... ranked No. 9 prospect out of Palm Beach County by the Sun Sentinel ... listed as No. 11 recruit in the area by the Palm Beach Post ... rated the No. 99 prospect at his position by ESPN.com ... considering forensics, sports management or computer science as a major in college ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Blessuan Austin
DB · 6-1 · 180
Queens, N.Y./Campus Magnet High School/Milford Academy
Prior to Rutgers: Enrolled in January and will participate in 2015 spring practice ... coached by Bill Chaplick at Milford Academy and Eric Barnett at Campus Magnet in Queens, N.Y. ... has experience playing cornerback, safety, quarterback and wide receiver ... projected as a cornerback at the collegiate level ... totaled 14 solo tackles, seven for loss, eight pass break-ups and three interceptions for the Falcons in prep school in 2014 ... named First Team All-Queens as a senior in high school after posting 578 passing yards, 682 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns on offense ... also made 51 tackles on defense at Campus Magnet ... threw for 601 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 291 yards and six scores as a junior ... rated three stars, the No. 8 prospect out of New York and the No. 17 prep school player by Rivals ... left-handed ... current Scarlet Knights Delon Stephenson and Eric Wiafe also attended Milford Academy.
Jon Bateky
DL · 6-4 · 245
Boyds, Md./Poolesville High School
Prior to Rutgers: Enrolled in January and will participate in 2015 spring practice ... coached by Will Gant at Poolesville ... played on both the defensive and offensive lines in high school ... projected as a defensive end or tackle at the collegiate level ... known for high motor and physicality on the field ... rated three stars, third-best prospect from Maryland and No. 68 nationally among defensive ends by Scout ... totaled 61 tackles, 17 for loss, 11.5 sacks, seven pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and a field goal block as a senior ... named Small School First Team All-State and First Team Montgomery County All-Gazette ... helped team to third consecutive playoff berth ... had a strip-sack against Rockville late in fourth quarter to seal victory that garnered postseason appearance ... team finished 7-4 for the season ... played in the Maryland Crab Bowl and registered five tackles and a sack in the game ... recorded 70 tackles, 30 for loss, 10 sacks, seven pass break-ups and seven forced fumbles as a junior ... team went 7-4 and earned berth to state playoffs ... earned Small School Second Team All-State ... also played varsity basketball in high school.
Rashad Blunt
WR · 6-2 · 185
St. John's, Fla./Creekside High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Greg Stanton at Creekside ... played wide receiver and free safety in high school ... projected as a wide receiver at the collegiate level ... known as a physical receiver and a solid run blocker ... named First Team All-St. John County by the St. Augustine Record as senior ... recorded over 600 yards of total offense with 457 receiving yards, 25 receptions, eight receiving touchdowns and two rushing scores ... also forced eight fumbles, registered 32 tackles and grabbed an interception on defense ... team made late run to earn berth in state playoffs ... team won Class AAAAA state title as a junior ... recorded 31 catches for 417 yards and nine receiving touchdowns in 2013 ... rated as a three-star prospect by multiple services ... ranked the No. 28 receiver out of Florida by Scout ... father, Rodney Blunt, played running back at Clemson from 1989-93 and ranks 15th in school history with 2,173 rushing yards ... brother, Roderic, played college football at Middle Tennessee State as a linebacker ... joins current (Jacob Kraut) and former (Kaleb Johnson) Scarlet Knights from the Jacksonville area ... also competed on the weightlifting team, played basketball and participated in the 400 meters, 800 meters and triple jump for track and field ... interested in political science and journalism as a possible major in college ... grew up in the Miami area, but moved to North Florida at the start of high school.
Ron'Dell Carter
DL · 6-2 · 235
Baltimore, Md./Long Reach High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Jamie Willis at Long Reach ... an athlete who primarily played defensive end and tight end in high school, but also lined up at wide receiver, h-back, slot, defensive back, nose tackle and linebacker ... projected as a defensive end at the collegiate level with combination of pass rush and coverage responsibilities ... known as an athletic player with good quickness and power ... served as a team captain as a senior and named All-Howard County First Team at tight end ... named one of the Baltimore Sun's "Players to Watch" before the season ... played in and served as captain in the Maryland Crab Bowl after the season ... the game features the most talented senior football players from the state of Maryland and Washington, D.C. ... totaled 42 tackles, 12 for loss and seven sacks on defense with 11 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns on offense as a junior ... named All-Howard County First Team at defensive end in 2013 ... also earned accolades from the Baltimore Touchdown Club on its Super 22 Team, in recognition of the area's top junior high school football players based on athletic and academic performance as nominated by their coaches ... rated a three-star recruit, No. 21 prospect from Maryland and No. 4 defensive end from Maryland according to Scout ... a three-star recruit and No. 28 player out of Maryland by ESPN.com ... also threw the shot-put and discus and played basketball for Long Reach ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Najee Clayton
DB · 6-2 · 200
Paterson, N.J./Paramus Catholic High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Chris Partridge at Paramus Catholic ... four-year starter at Paramus Catholic at safety and wide receiver ... projected to play safety at the collegiate level ... Star-Ledger First Team All-Non Public, Bergen Record First Team All-Bergen County, Star-Ledger Second Team All-State and MSGVarsity Honorable Mention at defensive back ... led Paramus Catholic to Non-Public, Group 4 championship appearance ... Paramus Catholic finished fourth in New Jersey ... produced 79 tackles, four interceptions and 11 passes defended during senior campaign ... also hauled in 19 receptions for 232 yards and two scores at receiver ... MSGVarsity Honorable mention at receiver as a junior ... had 31 receptions for 462 yards and three scores as a junior ... contributed 12 scores and 1,490 total yards during varsity career ... a consensus three-star recruit ... rated No. 13 overall prospect in New Jersey by ESPN.com ... No. 21 prospect in the Garden State by Rivals ... ranked No. 2 safety in New Jersey and No. 33 player in the state by Scout ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Michael Dare
QB · 6-5 · 185
Elmwood Park, N.J./Elmwood Park Memorial High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Tom Mulligan at Elmwood Park ... four-year varsity starter at quarterback ... a pro-style quarterback ... known for presence in the pocket, arm strength and a quick release ... totaled 7,826 passing yards and 107 passing touchdowns over four seasons in high school ... a First Team All-Colonial Conference selection and NJ.com Second Team All-Group pick as a senior ... also named All-Bergen County First Team in a vote of coaches ... threw for 2,160 yards and 26 touchdowns in final scholastic season ... led team to berth in the NJSIAA North 1, Group 2 playoff for the third consecutive year to cap career ... team went 7-3 ... completed passes at a 61.2 completion clip (126-of-206) as a junior for 1,834 yards and 19 passing touchdowns as a junior ... had two games with at least 300 yards passing ... had one of the top passing performances in the state as a sophomore with 380 yards versus Rutherford in 2012 ... a consensus three-star recruit ... rated No. 12 player in New Jersey by Rivals and No. 18 pro-style quarterback nationally ... ranked No. 19 player in the state by ESPN.com and No. 30 by Scout ... part of NJ.com Top 50 ... from the same hometown as former Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova ... first player to verbally commit to Rutgers in the 2015 class ... also played youth baseball and high school basketball ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Anthony Folkerts
TE · 6-4 · 215
Ray City, Ga./Valwood School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Ashley Henderson at Valwood ... played three seasons of varsity football for the Valiants and reached state title game twice ... played tight end - often lined up in the slot - and defensive end ... projected as a true pro-style tight end at the collegiate level ... recorded 22 receptions for 211 yards and four touchdowns as a senior ... also accumulated 25.5 tackles and a forced fumble on defense ... named Georgia Independent School Association Region 3-AAA All-Region ... team went 10-2, won the region and reached quarterfinal round of playoffs ... totaled 23 catches for 278 yards and a score as a junior to go with 10.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble ... named GISA All-Region 3AA Team ... team went 12-1 in 2013 ... part of a program that won state championship in 2012 ... a consensus three-star recruit ... rated No. 22 tight end prospect nationally by ESPN.com and No. 63 by Scout ... also played high school basketball ... has an aunt who lives in Asbury Park, N.J. ... previously lived in Ohio and Washington D.C. before settling in South Georgia ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Marques Ford
DL · 6-4 · 230
Riverview, Fla./East Bay High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Frank LaRosa at East Bay ... a three-year varsity starter at defensive end ... known for motor, speed and athleticism ... selected and played in the 2015 Under Armour All-American High School Football Game at the Tropicana Dome in St. Petersburg ... recorded four tackles with a sack in the all-star game ... named Third Team Florida Class 7A All-State, All-Hillsborough County by the Tampa Tribune and Second Team All-Tampa Bay by the Tampa Bay Times in 2014 ... totaled 49 tackles, 15 for loss, five sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior ... faced constant double teams ... had a 78-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown ... named Third Team Florida Class 7A All-State on the defensive line as a junior ... earned Second Team All-Hillsborough County by the Tampa Bay Times ... recorded 67 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 10 sacks, 13 hurries and two forced fumbles in 2013 ... had one game with 4.5 sacks ... East Bay allowed just 131 points over 12 games and won the Class 7A, District 8 championship ... Indians also won its first playoff game in school history ... listed in Tampa Bay Times Top 25 prospects after junior season ... attended the 2014 Nike Football Training Camp ... ranked the No. 3 defender and took home MVP honors among the defensive linemen in attendance at the 2014 Rivals Camp Series in Miami ... registered 59 tackles, five for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles as a sophomore ... a consensus four-star recruit ... rated inside the Rivals250 as the No. 186 prospect nationally, No. 8 defensive end and No. 29 player out of Florida ... ranked No. 285 in the ESPN300 and the No. 25 player at his position ... the No. 30 defensive end nationally, No. 43 from Florida and No. 5 defensive end in the state by Scout ... the No. 17 strong-side defensive end in the country according to the 247Sports Composite ... one of six from his high school to make it to Division I-A football in the past 10 years ... held over 40 scholarship offers ... also played high school basketball as a center ... started playing football at age six ... son of two Air Force parents ... lived in New Jersey, Nebraska, Italy and Key West before moving to the Tampa Bay area in seventh grade ... holds a weighted 4.3 GPA ... plans to major in sports medicine.
Sidney Gopre
LB · 6-1 · 205
Newark, N.J./Weequahic High School/Milford Academy
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Brian Logan at Weequahic High School and Bill Chaplick at Milford Academy ... a linebacker ... known for physicality and ability to run to plays ... recorded 50 tackles 16 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, five forced fumbles and an interceptions in 2014 at Milford ... recorded 170 tackles, 38 tackles-for-loss, 14 sacks and five forced fumbles as a high school senior to earn Star-Ledger Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-State and First Team All-Essex County ... also named MaxPreps Second Team All-America and First Team Small Schools All-America ... helped team advance to Central Jersey, Group II state final game, picking up 21 stops with a forced fumble in title game ... led a defense that allowed just 41 points during season ... team won Essex Conference Colonial Division title in two of three varsity seasons ... totaled 132 tackles with five sacks as a junior to help team finish 9-3 ... a consensus three-star recruit ... rated 21st-best prospect in New Jersey out of high school according to Rivals ... rated 51st-best linebacker prospect nationally by Scout ... played both middle and outside linebacker ... also saw time at running back on offense in high school, rushing for 524 yards and six touchdowns as a senior ... switched from defensive end to linebacker as a junior ... attended Rutgers football camp ... teammates with Blessuan Austin at Milford Academy ... current Scarlet Knights Delon Stephenson and Eric Wiafe also attended Milford Academy.
Nakia Griffin
TE · 6-5 · 220
Tenafly, N.J./Tenafly High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Kurt Hommen at Tenafly, a Group III school ... played many different positions in high school, including tight end, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, slot and safety ... projected as a tight end at the collegiate level ... known for reliable hands and ability to fire off on blocks ... named First team All-Group 3 as a defender in 2014 ... totaled 62 tackles, 15 for loss, seven sacks, five pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and a safety on defense as a senior ... recorded 52 receptions for 509 receiving yards, 11 pancake blocks and three total touchdowns on offense ... had three sacks, two catches for 70 yards and four pancake blocks in final high school game ... attended the 2014 NJ/NY Nike Football Training Camp and Rivals Camp Series in Piscataway ... a consensus three-star recruit ... rated No. 1 tight end in New Jersey and No. 16 prospect in the state overall by Scout ... ranked No. 22 tight end nationally and No. 16 player in the state by Rivals ... selected as the No. 12 tight end nationally and No. 14 prospect by ESPN.com ... part of the NJ.com Top 50 ... from the same hometown as former Rutgers quarterback Jabu Lovelace ... plays center on high school basketball team and competes in the 100 and 200-meter dash on track and field squad ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Jawuan Harris
WR · 5-11 · 185
Pembroke Pines, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Rocco Casullo at St. Thomas Aquinas ... played two seasons of varsity football for South Florida powerhouse and led the team in receiving yards, catches and receiving touchdowns both years ... played wide receiver (flanker and slot) and returned punts and kickoffs ... known for his speed ... named Third Team All-Broward County (8A-6A) by the Miami Herald as a senior ... totaled 30 receptions for 700 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014 for a team that went 15-1 to win the Class 7A state title ... scored touchdowns on both punt and kickoff returns ... added a punt block ... Raiders won district championship and ranked No. 8 nationally ... a three-star recruit by ESPN.com ... attended the (Nike) NFTC and the Rivals camps ... plays high school baseball and plans on competing for the Scarlet Knights as a two-sport student-athlete ... plays centerfield ... plans to major in pre-med with hopes of a possible career as an orthopedic surgeon ... started playing football at age seven.
Jonah Jackson
OL · 6-4 · 285
Media, Pa./Penncrest High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Rick Stroup at Penncrest ... played mostly left tackle and defensive tackle in high school ... projected to play on the interior of the offensive line at the collegiate level ... known as a high energy player with good footwork ... had responsibility of protecting the blind side in Penncrest's pistol offense ... named First Team All-Delaware County and All-Central Athletic League as a senior ... helped team to a seven-win season as a junior and earned First Team All-Central Athletic League and honorable mention All-Delaware County ... rated a three-star recruit, No. 34 player from Pennsylvania and No. 86 guard prospect by Scout ... ranked three stars by ESPN.com ... participant in the 2014 Rivals Camp Series and the Nike Football Training Camp held at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J. ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Ronnie James
DB · 6-0 · 175
Clayton, N.J./Glassboro High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Mark Maccarone at Glassboro ... played safety, cornerback and running back in high school while also serving as the team's punter ... projected as a defensive back at the collegiate level ... earned Star-Ledger First Team All-Group II, Star-Ledger Third Team All-State and was named a South Jersey Times All-Star ...also named Second Team All-South Jersey by the Philadelphia Inquirer ... registered 59 tackles, five pass break-ups, three tackles-for-loss, one interception and returned two fumbles for touchdowns during senior season ... also ran for 16 touchdowns and 1,241 yards, averaging 9.3 yards-per-carry while hauling in 17 receptions for 182 yards and five scores during senior campaign ... eclipsed 100 yards on the ground six times as a senior ... Star Ledger Second Team All-South Jersey as a junior ... produced 79 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, six passes defended, two interceptions and blocked a field goal in 2013 ... also ran for 1,241 yards, 16 touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 170 yards and a score ... totaled 4,310 total yards during high school career ... rated as the 31st best player in New Jersey by Rivals ... a three-star prospect by Scout.com, No. 27 player in New Jersey and No. 52 defensive back nationally ... also a three-star recruit by ESPN.com ... listed in the NJ.com Top 50 ... brother is Rutgers running back Paul James ... other brother, Christian, played football at Wesley College ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Isaiah Johnson
LB · 6-2 · 225
Oakland, Calif./Bishop O'Dowd High School/City College of San Francisco
Prior to Rutgers: Enrolled in January and will participate in 2015 spring practice ... has three years of eligibility to play two seasons at Rutgers ... coached by George Rush at City College of San Francisco and Hardy Nickerson at Bishop O'Dowd in Oakland, Calif. ... played middle linebacker in junior college and made all the calls ... known for physicality ... additionally a key special teams member ... named First Team Region I All-California Community College and First Team All-Bay 6 Conference at linebacker in 2014 ... led team with 72 tackles, also totaling 10.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass break-ups and a fumble recovery over 13 games ... helped CCSF to 11-2 record, Northern California title and California junior college state title games ... played in seven games as a freshman ... played mostly running back in high school and added linebacker as a senior ... rushed for 510 yards as a senior on offense and totaled 87 tackles on defense.
Kaiwan Lewis
LB · 6-0 · 230
Pleasantville, N.J./St. Joseph High School/South Carolina
2015: Set to graduate from South Carolina in May after three years ... on track to earn degree with a criminal justice degree ... transferring to Rutgers and immediately eligible for the 2015 season.
2014 (at South Carolina): Played in eight games with one start at linebacker ... totaled 20 tackles with one sack ... had two tackles versus Tennessee (11/1) and Missouri (9/27) ... picked up two stops at Auburn (10/25) ... started against Vanderbilt (9/20) and registered three tackles with a sack ... recorded four stops versus Georgia (9/13) ... made five tackles in the season opener against Texas A&M.
2013 (at South Carolina): Sophomore linebacker who split time at the Mike position ... played in 12 games, making 10 starts ... third on the squad with 54 tackles ... had four tackles-for-loss and one sack ... intercepted two passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble ... made first career start in the season opener against North Carolina (8/29) ... logged a career-high 12 tackles including a tackle-for-loss at Georgia (9/7) ... tied for the team lead with five stops against UCF (9/28) ... had a tackle-for-loss at Tennessee (10/19) ... returned to the starting lineup at Missouri (10/26) and responded with a pair of tackles including a tackle-for-loss and his first career interception ... had five stops against both Mississippi State (11/2) and Florida (11/16) ... logged six tackles against Clemson (11/30) and forced a fumble ... led the team with nine tackles, recovered a fumble and had an interception the Capital One Bowl win over Wisconsin (1/1) ... a member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll... named the Most Improved linebacker during the spring.
2012 (at South Carolina): True freshman who saw action on special teams ... played in 11 contests ... recorded three tackles including two solo stops ... had a solo and an assisted tackle in the Outback Bowl win over Michigan (1/1).
Prior to College: Earned all-state honors after helping St. Joseph (Hammonton, N.J.) to an undefeated state championship season ... graduated in 2012 ... coached by Paul Sacco ... the St. Joe's defense allowed just 19 points all season ... played both defensive end and linebacker ... was in on 54 tackles and three fumble recoveries ... participated in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Texas ... finished his junior season with 80 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one blocked punt and one interception for a touchdown, earning third-team All-State honors ... also tabbed first-team All-Area by the Atlantic City Press ... had 65 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a sophomore ... considered a three-star prospect, the state's 10th-best player and the 48th-best outside linebacker in the country by Rivals ... rated a three-star prospect and the nation's 31st-best middle linebacker by Scout ... a four-star recruit, the ninth-best inside linebacker and the fifth-best player in New Jersey according to ESPN.com ... a four-star recruit, the ninth-best player in the state and the 11th-best inside linebacker by 247Sports ... born March 20, 1994.
Trevor Morris
LB · 6-2 · 200
King of Prussia, Pa./Malvern Prep School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by former Rutgers football player Aaron Brady at Malvern Prep ... valuable two-way player in high school, playing linebacker, safety and wide receiver in high school ... projected to play linebacker at the collegiate level ... named Pennlive.com Class AAA First Team All-State, GametimePA.com First Team All-League offense and defense ... earned Philly.com First Team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania and First Team All-Eastern Pennsylvania ... led Malvern with 10 total touchdowns on offense as a senior ... First Team All-Inter-Academic League as a junior ... registered 10 sacks and an interception during junior campaign ... No. 36 player from Pennsylvania by Scout ... rated as No. 60 player in Pennsylvania by 247Sports ... ran track in high school, competing in the 100 and 200-meter dashes ... selected to U.S. Under-19 National Football Team, which will play Team Canada Feb. 7 ... plans to double major in business and sports management ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Dontae Owens
WR · 6-0 · 180
Reading, Pa./Reading High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Rob Flowers at Reading ... played wide receiver and cornerback in high school ... also lined up at running back and played special teams ... projected to play wide receiver at the collegiate level ... Reading Eagle First Team All-County and PA Football News Honorable Mention All-State ... scored nine total touchdowns, averaging 24.8 yards per catch and 13.9 yards per carry ... hauled in 23 catches for 519 yards and five touchdowns as a junior, averaging 22.6 yards per catch ... rated a three-star recruit and the No. 4 wide receiver in Pennsylvania by Scout ... also pegged a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN.com ... brother, Shakeem Hodge, is a two-time defending Pennsylvania Golden Gloves boxing champion ... plans to major in physical therapy ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Willington Previlon
DL · 6-5 · 220
Orange, N.J./Orange High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Randy Daniel at Orange ... played defensive end in high school ... projected to play strong side defensive end at the collegiate level ... Star-Ledger First Team All-Group 3 and First Team All-Super Essex Conference ... recorded nine sacks, 61 tackles and forced two fumbles during senior campaign ... Star-Ledger First Team All-Essex County as a junior ... rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 4 defensive end in New Jersey by Scout ... pegged as a three-star recruit and the No. 26 overall recruit in New Jersey by ESPN.com ... also a three-star prospect by 247Sports ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Deonte Roberts
LB · 6-1 · 205
Brooklyn, N.Y./Erasmus Hall High School
Prior to Rutgers: Enrolled in January and will participate in 2015 spring practice ... coached by Danny Landberg at Erasmus Hall ... has experience at both linebacker and safety ... projected as a linebacker at the collegiate level ... named All-Brooklyn Defensive MVP by the Brooklyn Eagle after totaling 77 tackles, 15 for loss, three sacks, five forced fumbles and three pass break-ups as a senior ... earned First Team All-New York City and Honorable Mention All-Metro by MSG Varsity ... served as team captain and helped lead defense hold opponents to six points or less in four games ... team reached New York City Public School Athletic League title game at Yankee Stadium in final three high school seasons, winning it as a sophomore for first championship in school history ... named Linebacker MVP at the 2014 Nike Football Training Camp in Florence, N.J. ... recorded 42 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles and two pass break-ups as a junior ... rated No. 9 prospect out of New York by Rivals ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Kamaal Seymour
DL · 6-6 · 290
Brooklyn, N.Y./Grand Street Campus High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Bruce Eugene at Grand Street Campus ... helped team reach PSAL city championship semifinal, finishing with a 10-2 record ... played defensive tackle and end in high school ... projected to play defensive tackle at the collegiate level ... MSGVarsity First Team All-New York City ... recorded 10 sacks and 61 tackles during senior campaign despite constant double teams ... posted 44 tackles and two sacks as a junior ... consensus three-star recruit ... ranked No. 2 defensive tackle prospect in the state and No. 5 overall from New York ... pegged as the No. 7 player in New York by Rivals and No. 10 player in the Empire State by ESPN.com ... also participated in basketball at Grand Street Campus ... did not start playing football until high school ... moved from Jamaica at age five ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Jack Shutack
OL · 6-6 · 270
Western Springs, Ill./Nazareth Academy
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Tim Racki at Nazareth Academy in the Chicago suburbs ... a three-year starter at left tackle ... projects as an offensive tackle at the collegiate level ... did not surrender a sack during senior or junior seasons ... named First Team Pioneer Press as a senior ... team went 14-0 and won first 6A state championship in school history ... part of offensive line that cleared the path for 248 yards on 63 attempts in title game ... played on what was regarded as one of the top offensive lines in Illinois ... named to Chicago Tribune 2014 Preseason Top 50 Players List ... high school ran no-huddle offense ... earned Lineman MVP at the 2014 Core 6 Showcase ... also attended
2014 Nike Football Training Camp held in Chicago ... a consensus three-star recruit ... rated No. 17 prospect out of Illinois by ESPN.com, No. 23 by 247Sports, No. 32 by Scout and No. 35 by Rivals ... ranked as No. 77 offensive tackle nationally by ESPN.com and No. 5 at his position by Scout.
Charles Snorweah
RB · 5-10 · 175
Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Galen Snyder at Pennsbury ... played running back and cornerback in high school ... projected to play halfback at the collegiate level ... named Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year in 2014 ... First Team All-Bucks County and First Team Golden Team member ... broke Bucks County record for single game rushing yards (440) and single game touchdowns (seven), both previously held by former NFL running back Steve Slaton ... set six Pennsbury school rushing records ... ran for 2,793 yards and 40 touchdowns during senior campaign, averaging 9.6 yards per carry ... accumulated 1,529 yards on the ground as a junior, scoring 25 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores ... a consensus three-star recruit ... rated No. 22 in Pennsylvania by Rivals.com and the fourth best back and No. 11 prospect overall in the Keystone State by Scout ... also an all-state competitor in track and field, participating in the 200 and 400-meter dashes ... runs a 4.41 40-yard-dash ... high school teammate of Rutgers offensive lineman J.J. Denman at Pennsbury ... born in Liberia before moving to the United States.
Manny Taylor
OL · 6-6 · 275
Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by Joe McCourt at Roman Catholic ... played right tackle in high school ... projected to play along the offensive line at the collegiate level ... won Co-Offensive Lineman MVP at South Jersey National Underclassman Combine ... played first season of varsity football as a senior, starting at right tackle at Roman Catholic ... talented basketball player, who played at Life Center in Burlington County under former NBA player Pervis Ellison before transferring to Roman Catholic ... a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247Sports ... rated the No. 43 overall player in Pennsylvania by ESPN.com and No. 40 by Scout ... attended Rutgers football camp.
Zach Venesky
OL · 6-2 · 285
Peckville, Pa./Valley View High School
Prior to Rutgers: Part of 2015 signing day class ... coached by George Howanitz at Valley View ... played offensive and defensive line in high school ... saw action at center, guard and tackle during high school career ... projected to play guard at the collegiate level ... Times Tribune First Team All-County and All-EasternSports.com Honorable Mention District II ... saw action on both sides of the ball during senior campaign ... will represent Team Pennsylvania in the 2015 Big 33 Classic ... a consensus three-star recruit ... rated as the No. 16 overall player in Pennsylvania by Rivals and No. 3 guard in the Keystone State by Scout ... three-time Golden Gloves boxing champion ... also wrestles at Valley View, currently possessing a 19-4 record during his first season on the mat ... undecided on potential major, but interested in political science and communications.
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