Football Announces 2016 Recruiting Class
Feb 03 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers head football coach Chris Ash announced the Scarlet Knights' 17-member recruiting class Wednesday on National Signing Day. All have signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Rutgers.
Elorm Lumor (Piscataway, N.J.), Solomon Manning (Colonia, N.J.), Jonathan Pollock (Orlando, Fla.) and Trey Sneed (Orange Park, Fla.) have already enrolled at Rutgers and will participate in spring drills in March.
The remaining recruiting class is comprised of Ahmed Bah (Flushing, N.Y.), Dacoven Bailey (Pilot Point, Texas),Rashawn Battle (Grentown, Pa.), K.J. Gray (Newark, N.J.), Damon Hayes (Upper Marlboro, Md.), Sam Howson (Sparta, N.J.), Mohamed Jabbie (Monmouth Junction, N.J.), Nick Krimin (South Amboy, N.J.), Mike Lonsdorf (Bound Brook, N.J.), Michael Maietti (West Orange, N.J.), Tylin Oden (Columbia, Tenn.), Julius Turner (Meridian, Miss.) and Tyreek Williams (Erial, N.J.).
Rutgers also added graduate transfers Ross Taylor-Douglas (Avon, Ohio) and Malachi Moore (Hackettstown, N.J.). Taylor-Douglas has two years of eligibility remaining while Moore has one year remaining with the Scarlet Knights. Both are eligible to play immediately in 2016.
| NAME | POS | HT | WT | HOMETOWN | HIGH SCHOOL | HS COACH |
| Ahmed Bah | WR | 6-4 | 190 | Flushing, N.Y. | Grand Street Campus | Bruce Eugene |
| Dacoven Bailey | WR | 5-10 | 185 | Pilot Point, Texas | Pilot Point | Rob Best |
| Rashawn Battle | LB | 6-3 | 225 | Grentown, Pa. | Wallenpaupack | Mark Watson |
| K.J. Gray | WR | 6-2 | 190 | Newark, N.J. | St. Peter's Prep | Rich Hansen |
| Damon Hayes | DB | 6-0 | 185 | Upper Marlboro, Md. | Dr. Henry A. Wise | DaLawn Parrish |
| Sam Howson | OL | 6-4 | 280 | Sparta, N.J. | Pope John XXIII | Brian Carlson |
| Mohamed Jabbie | WR | 5-11 | 170 | Monmouth Junction, N.J. | South Brunswick | Joe Goerge |
| Nick Krimin | OL | 6-6 | 285 | South Amboy, N.J. | St. Joseph | Casey Ransome |
| Mike Lonsdorf | OL | 6-7 | 270 | Bound Brook, N.J. | Immaculata | Tom Falato |
| Elorm Lumor* | LB | 6-3 | 210 | Piscataway, N.J. | Piscataway/Milford Academy | Dan Higgins |
| Michael Maietti | OL | 6-2 | 265 | West Orange, N.J. | Don Bosco Prep | Greg Toal |
| Solomon Manning* | LB | 6-2 | 200 | Colonia, N.J. | Colonia | Tom Roarty |
| Malachai Moore | DL | 6-7 | 280 | Hackettstown, N.J. | Pope John XXIII | Brian Carlson |
| Tylin Oden | QB | 6-5 | 175 | Columbia, Tenn. | Spring Hill | Tom Turchetta |
| Jonathan Pollock* | LB | 5-11 | 220 | Orlando, Fla. | Dr. Phillips | Rodney Wells |
| Trey Sneed* | RB | 5-10 | 200 | Orange Park, Fla. | Fleming Island | Frank Hall |
| Ross Taylor-Douglas | DB | 5-10 | 185 | Avon, Ohio | Avon | Mike Elder |
| Julius Turner | DL | 6-2 | 270 | Meridian, Miss. | Meridian | Larry Weems |
| Tyreek Williams | LB | 6-1 | 215 | Erial, N.J. | Timber Creek | Robert Hinson |
*already enrolled
Ahmed Bah
WR · 6-4 · 190
Flushing, N.Y./Grand Street Campus
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Bruce Eugene at Grand Street Campus ... helped the Wolves to a 13-0 record and the school's first-ever New York Public Schools Athletic League State Championship ... finished senior season with 36 catches for 793 and 13 touchdowns ... recorded five of his touchdown receptions during postseason action ... Second Team All-USA New York by USA Today ... Second Team All-New York City Offense by MSG Varsity ... Honorable Mention All-Brooklyn by the Brooklyn Daily ...competed at Holy Cross High School as a junior, recording 23 receptions for 387 yards and six touchdowns ... added two carries for 21 yards out of the backfield ... also contributed 33 tackles, four passes defended and an interception on defense ... second-overall receiving prospect in New York by Scout ... three-star recruit and 12th-overall prospect in the Empire State by ESPN ... three-star recruit by 247Sports.
Dacoven Bailey
WR · 5-10 · 185
Pilot Point, Texas/Pilot Point High School
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Rob Best at Pilot Point ... helped Pilot Point finish with a 7-3 record during senior season ... ended senior year with 1,172 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 9.3 yards per carry ... also added 31 receptions for 321 yards and a touchdown pass ... First Team All-Texomaland Class 2A-3A by the Herald Democrat ... Third Team 3A All-State by the Texas Sports Writers Association ... Texas 3A All-State Honorable Mention by the Denton Record-Chronicle ... accumulated 1,609 total yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior ... Honorable Mention Texas 3A All-State by both the Texas Sports Writers Association and the Denton Record-Chronicle ... also played baseball and basketball at Pilot Point.
Rashawn Battle
LB · 6-3 · 225
Grentown, Pa./Wallenpaupack High School
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Mark Watson at Wallenpaupack ... played running back and linebacker for the Buckhorns ... finished senior season with 31 tackles, two passes defended and an interception ... was also a standout on offense, producing 1,144 yards rushing with 14 touchdowns on 198 carries out of the backfield ... First Team All-Region on offense by the Times-Tribune ... Honorable Mention Class 3A All-State by Pennsylvania Football News ... contributed 37 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks and a caused fumble while adding 464 rushing yards and seven scores as a junior ... consensus three-star recruit ... rated No. 20 overall recruit in Pennsylvania by Rivals ... No. 1 overall outside linebacker recruit in the Keystone State by Scout ... 18th-best player in Pennsylvania and the 43rd-best outside linebacker prospect in the country by ESPN ... No. 27 in Pennsylvania by 247Sports ... also played basketball at Wallenpaupack, where he was a three-year varsity athlete.
K.J. Gray
WR · 6-2 · 190
Newark, N.J./St. Peter's Prep
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Rich Hansen at St. Peter's ... helped the Marauders to an 8-3 record and an appearance in the NJSIAA Group-4, Non-Public semifinal in 2015 ... St. Peter's was pegged the No. 12 team in New Jersey by the Star-Ledger ... played both wide receiver and defensive back at the high school level ... finished senior season with 38 receptions for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns ... also produced 37 tackles, six pass deflections and an interception on defense ... Second Team All-Non-Public and Third Team All-State by the Star-Ledger ... Second Team All-Metro on offense by MSG Varsity ... contributed 20 catches for 276 yards and three scores while producing three pass breakups on defense as a junior ... consensus three-star recruit ... labeled the third-best athlete in New Jersey and eighth-overall athlete in the Northeast by Scout ... 18th-overall prospect in the Garden State by Rivals ... No. 23 recruit in New Jersey by ESPN ... tabbed a three-star talent by 247Sports ... played at same high school as current Rutgers defensive back D'Won Walker.
Damon Hayes
DB · 6-0 · 185
Upper Marlboro, Md./Dr. Henry A. Wise High School
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by DaLawn Parrish at Dr. Henry A. Wise ... played wide receiver and defensive back for the Pumas ... helped Wise to a 14-0 record and the 2015 Maryland 4A State Championship ... as a senior, produced 40 tackles, eight passes defended, three interceptions, two tackles-for-loss and a sack ... also contributed seven receptions for 111 yards and three touchdowns at receiver ... First Team Big School (Class 4A/3A) All-State on defense by the Capitol Gazette ... Honorable Mention All-Met by the Washington Post ... secured 22 tackles, nine passes defended, four tackles-for-loss and an interception as a junior ... helped Wise to an appearance in the Maryland 4A playoffs during junior season ... three-star recruit and sixth-best cornerback prospect in Maryland by Scout ... 34th-best player in Maryland by ESPN ... three-star recruit by 247Sports ... No. 32 recruit in Maryland by Rivals.
Sam Howson
OL · 6-4 · 280
Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII High School
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Brian Carlson at Pope John XXIII ... played center and left guard for Pope John ... helped Pope John to a 7-3 record, including an appearance in the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group 3 playoffs ... team finished 7-0 in league play ... helped Pope John's leading rusher to 1,368 yards and 19 touchdowns ... First Team All-Non-Public and Second Team All-State by the Star-Ledger ... added more than 60 pounds to his frame after junior season ... third-best center prospect in New Jersey by Scout.
Mohamed Jabbie
WR · 5-11 · 170
Monmouth Junction, N.J./South Brunswick High School
Prior to Rutgers:Coached by Joseph Goerge at South Brunswick ... played wide receiver, defensive back and returned punts and kicks for the Vikings during high school career ... helped South Brunswick to an 11-1 record and a NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 5 Championship during the 2015 season ... Vikings completed the season as the No. 5 team in the state, according to the Star-Ledger... finished senior year with 34 receptions for 567 yards and six touchdowns while accumulating 1,311 all-purpose yards, including 137 yards rushing and 577 kick return yards with a score ... also had three interceptions, five pass deflections and 66 tackles at defensive back ... First Team All-Conference, All-Group 5 and All-Red Division by the Star-Ledger ... named MSG Varsity All-Metro First Team Offense and Central Jersey Player to Watch ... selected to the USA U-19 team, where he recorded two receptions for 14 yards in a 33-0 win against Canada at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas ... playing primarily on defense, produced nine pass deflections and 47 tackles as a junior ... a three-star recruit and the No. 31 prospect in New Jersey by Rivals ... selected as a three-star recruit by 247Sports ... rated the No. 41 overall prospect in the Garden State by ESPN ...nephew of former Rutgers wide receiver and current Cincinnati Bengal Mohamed Sanu.
Nick Krimin
OL · 6-6 · 285
South Amboy, N.J./St. Joseph High School
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Casey Ransome at St. Joseph ... played both offensive and defensive tackle for the Falcons ... First-Team All-Area Offense by the Home News Tribune ... First Team All-White Division and Third Team All-Non-Public by the Star-Ledger ... Second Team All-New Jersey Offense and All-Metro Football Honorable Mention by MSG Varsity ... helped St. Joseph to an appearance in the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group 3 playoff as a junior ... named First Team All-Area by the Home News Tribune during junior season ... Second Team All-Non-Public and Third Team All-State by the Star-Ledger as a junior ... consensus three-star recruit ... rated the No. 19 recruit in New Jersey by Rivals ... pegged the No. 2 overall offensive tackle recruit in the Garden State by Scout ... 23rd-best prospect in New Jersey and 64th-best tackle in the country by ESPN ... ranked the No. 17 recruit in New Jersey by 247Sports ... also competed in track and field at St. Joseph in the shot put, placing sixth at the Meet of Champions ... earned First Team All-Middlesex County by the Star-Ledger and First Team All-Area by the Home News Tribune in the shot put.
Mike Lonsdorf
OL · 6-7 · 270
Bound Brook, N.J./Immaculata
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Tom Falato at Immaculata ... contributed to the Spartan's 8-3 finish and appearance in the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group 2 semifinal ... helped Immaculata quarterback become one of the top passers in New Jersey, as he threw for more than 2,100 yards with 21 touchdowns ... gained more than 60 pounds during senior year ... First Team All-Area by the Courier News ... Second Team All-Non-Public by the Star-Ledger ... three-star recruit and third-best offensive tackle prospect in New Jersey by Scout.
Elorm Lumor
LB · 6-3 · 210
Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway High School/Milford Academy
Prior to Rutgers:Enrolled in January and will participate in 2016 spring practice ... coached by Dan Higgins at Piscataway and Bill Chaplick at Milford Academy ... played linebacker and on the defensive line in high school ... helped Milford Academy to a 7-3 record ... produced 11 tackles-for-loss and three sacks in lone season with the Falcons ... rated the eighth-best prep school prospect in the country by Rivals ...contributed 19 tackles-for-loss, 9.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries and a forced fumble during senior season at Piscataway ... First Team All-Group 5 by the Star-Ledger ... First Team All-Area by the Homes News Tribune ... 2014 First Team All-Middlesex selected by the coaches ... Second Team All-New Jersey Defense by MSG Varsity and Star-Ledger Second Team All-Middlesex as a junior ... rated a three-star recruit by Rivals and Scout out of high school ... did not begin playing organized football until freshman year of high school.
Michael Maietti
OL · 6-2 · 265
West Orange, N.J./Don Bosco Prep
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Greg Toal at Don Bosco ... started in 23 career games at center for the Ironmen over three seasons ... helped Don Bosco finish 9-3, including a 2015 NJSIAA Non-Public, Group 4 State Championship as a senior ... team finished as the No. 1 Non-Public high school team and No. 2 team in New Jersey, according to the Star-Ledger ... helped pave way for Don Bosco leading rusher, who ran for 1,589 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior ... First Team All-State and All-Non Public by the Star-Ledger ... First Team All-Suburban Offense by the Ridgewood News ... First Team All-New Jersey by MSG Varsity as a senior ... Second Team All-Non Public on offense by the Star-Ledger during junior season ... an Honorable Mention All-State selection by MSG Varsity as a junior.
Solomon Manning
LB · 6-2 · 200
Colonia, N.J./Colonia High School
Prior to Rutgers:Enrolled in January and will participate in 2016 spring practice ... coached by Tom Roarty at Colonia ... Patriots finished 8-3 during the 2015 season, including an appearance in the NJSIAA North 2, Group 4 semifinal ... ended season with 117 total tackles (62 solo, 55 assisted) with a sack and an interception at linebacker ... also produced 231 receiving yards with three touchdowns at wide receiver ... named Star-Ledger First Team All-Group 4, All-Conference, All-White Division and Second Team All-State ... Home News Tribune First Team All-Area ... MSG Varsity Player to Watch ... produced 100 tackles, including 54 solo stops, five sacks and four TFLs during junior season ... helped Colonia to its best record (11-1) in school history as a junior, which included an appearance in the North 2 Group 4 final ... Home News Tribune Second Team All-Area Defense and All-White Division as a junior ... Honorable Mention All-New Jersey by MSGVarsity... a consensus three-star recruit ... tabbed the No. 1 New Jersey inside linebacker recruit and No. 13 overall recruit in the Garden State by Scout ... rated the No. 18 overall player in New Jersey by Rivals ... 26th-best recruit in New Jersey by ESPN.
Malachai Moore
DL · 6-7 · 280
Hackettstown, N.J./Pope John XXIII High School
Prior to Rutgers: Graduate transfer ... can play immediately in 2016 with one year of eligibility remaining ... saw action in 29 career games with the Eagles ... missed 2013 season due to injury ... has 22 career tackles, including seven for loss ... member of BC defense that ranked second in the nation, allowing 94.5 rushing yards per game ... recorded four sacks in 2014 ... played scholastically at Pope John for the late Vic Paternostro and Brian Carlson ... Second Team All-State honors from the Star-Ledger as a senior defensive lineman ... recognized as an All-Non-Public first team selection and an All-West Jersey selection in 2011 ... recorded 60 tackles, 14 sacks, and five forced fumbles as a senior.
Tylin Oden
QB · 6-5 · 175
Columbia, Tenn./Spring Hill High School
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Tom Turchetta at Spring Hill ... played quarterback for the Raiders, accounting for more than 4,000 total yards during his career at Spring Hill ... offense averaged 30 points per game during senior season ... recorded 1,389 yards passing with 15 touchdowns while rushing for 922 yards and 10 scores as a senior ... named Tennessee Region 4 Player of the Year ... accumulated 1,947 yards of offense and 28 total touchdowns as a junior ... also named Tennessee Region 4 Player of the Year as a junior and First Team Class 4A All-State by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association ... consensus three-star recruit ... top quarterback recruit in Tennessee by Scout ... 11th-best prospect in the Volunteer State and 20th-best dual-threat signal caller in the country by ESPN ... 15th-best player in Tennessee and 26th-overall dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals ... top-20 recruit in Tennessee by 247Sports ... also plays basketball at Spring Hill.
Jonathan Pollock
LB · 5-11 · 220
Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips High School
Prior to Rutgers:Enrolled in January and will participate in 2016 spring practice ... coached by Rodney Wells at Dr. Phillips ... helped the Panthers to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the regional final ... competed in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Daytona Beach, Fla. ... as a junior, collected 94 tackles, 14 TFLs, six sacks, two blocked kicks, an interception and defensive touchdown ... named 2014-15 FACA All-District ... registered 86 tackles, 17 TFLs, eight sacks and two forced fumbles during sophomore season ... named 2013 Class 8A All-State by FloridaHSFootball ... competed on the USA U-18 team, where he served as a team captain ... named the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 National Underclassmen Combine in Orlando, Fla. ... consensus three-star recruit ... No. 9 inside linebacker in Florida and rated No. 61 at his position in the country by Scout ... rated the 89th-best linebacker by ESPN ... a top-150 recruit in the Sunshine State by 247Sports.
Trey Sneed
RB · 5-10 · 200
Orange Park, Fla./Fleming Island High School
Prior to Rutgers:Enrolled in January and will participate in 2016 spring practice ... coached by Frank Hall at Fleming Island ... helped Golden Eagles to a 6-4 record during senior season ... accumulated 1,294 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns in his final year at Fleming Island ... produced 219 yards with five touchdowns during homecoming victory against Westside ... named Florida Times-Union Second Team Offense ... served as a wildcat quarterback during junior season ... a consensus three-star recruit ... tabbed the 40th-best running back prospect by Scout ... rated the 89th-best player at his position by ESPN ... 32nd-best running back in the country by 247Sports.
Ross Taylor-Douglas
DB · 5-10 · 185
Avon, Ohio/Avon High School
Prior to Rutgers: Graduate transfer ... can play immediately in 2016 with two years of eligibility remaining ... appeared in 16 career games for the Wolverines during his career ... played in six games at running back during the 2015 season ... also saw time at defensive back while at Michigan ... played scholastically at Avon High School in Ohio for coach Mike Elder ... recorded three interceptions and rushed for 1,363 yards and 24 touchdowns in his senior season ... named AP Division II All-Ohio first team as a senior ... participated in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl during senior season ... as a junior, recorded 175 carries for 1,019 yards and 15 touchdowns, caught 10 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown, recorded 40 tackles, 13 pass breakups and one interception on defense ... named a third-team All-Ohio pick in Division II as a junior ... pegged a four-star recruit, the No. 22 overall cornerback prospect nationally and the 14th-best player in Ohio by Rivals ... rated a four-star prospect and 33rd overall cornerback recruit nationally by ESPN ... three-star cornerback by Scout.
Julius Turner
DL · 6-2 · 270
Meridian, Miss./Meridian High School
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Larry Weems at Meridian ... played defensive tackle and end for the Wildcats ... helped Meridian finish 8-6, including an appearance in the Mississippi High School Activities Association 6A state semifinal as a senior ... collected 57 tackles, including 36 solo stops, 15 tackles-for-loss, 8.5 sacks and nine quarterback hurries during senior season ... Mississippi Association of Coaches First Team 6A All-State on defense ... competed in the 67th annual Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star Football Game ... produced 42 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and two QB hurries as a junior ... 2014 Varsity Preps Mississippi Pre-Season Second Team All-State ... contributed 34 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack as a sophomore ... fourth-best defensive tackle prospect in Mississippi by Scout.
Tyreek Williams
LB · 6-1 · 210
Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek High School
Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Robert Hinson at Timber Creek ... helped Chargers to a 9-3 record and a South Jersey Group 4 State Title ... projects as an outside linebacker at the collegiate level ... recorded 74 tackles, including 53 solo stops, to go along with two interceptions and a sack as a senior ... First-Team National Division (Camden County) and Second Team All-Group 4 on defense by the Star-Ledger ... produced 11 sacks and 64 tackles as a junior ... 29th-overall prospect in New Jersey and a three-star recruit by Rivals ... 82nd-best outside linebacker prospect in the nation and three-star recruit by ESPN ... 85th-overall outside linebacker in the country and a three-star prospect by 247Sports ... attended same high school as current Rutgers defensive linemen Quanzell Lambert and Myles Nash.
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