PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale unveiled his 2019 recruiting class, as JoJo Aragona, Robert Kanniard and Jackson Turley ­all signed National Letters of Intent (NLIs) to compete for the Scarlet Knights next fall.
 
According to FloWrestling, Aragona is the No. 1 recruit at 141 pounds and No. 6 overall recruit in the country. Turley is the No. 3 recruit at 184 pounds and No. 39 overall prospect nationally, and Kanniard is the No. 7 overall recruit at 165 pounds and the No. 66 overall recruit.
 
"We feel like we have a really good class based on the fact that we have three kids at the top of their weight classes in the country," Goodale said. "Any time you can bring in guys with those credentials, you obviously assume that they can win at the national level. They're good students and good kids, so we're excited to bring them in here."
 
The class continues a hot streak for Goodale and the coaching staff on the recruiting trail. The program signed the No. 12 overall class in 2018, according to Intermat, consisting of Nicolas Aguilar, Jake Benner, Billy Janzer, Kyle Lightner and Malcolm Robinson. Janzer (No. 2, 182 lbs), Aguilar (No. 4, 120 lbs) and Benner (No. 16, 138 lbs) were all rated within the Top 20 of their respective weight classes, as both Aguilar and Janzer collected individual state titles in 2018.
 













JoJo Aragona
Matamoras, Pa. • Pope John XXII
Scholastic Weight: 138 pounds • Projected Collegiate Weight: 141 pounds
 
Prior to Rutgers: Competes at Pope John XXIII High School … No. 1 recruit at 141 pounds and No. 6 overall recruit nationally by FloWrestling … 138-pound champion at Who's No. 1 … three-time NJSIAA medalist … three-time region and two-time district champion … two-time Super 32 placewinner … helped Pope John to its first NJSIAA Non-Public team title in 24 years during junior season … finished junior campaign with a 41-2 record and a third-place result at the NJSIAA Wrestling Championships at 138 pounds … 2018 District 2 and Region 1 champion … named 2017-18 First Team All-Herald … NJSIAA runner-up at 120 pounds with a 29-3 record as a sophomore in 2017 … finished third in the state as a freshman at 106 pounds in 2016.
 
Goodale on Aragona: "We've never had a No. 1 overall kid in their weight class sign with us, so it's a big deal for our program. He earned that and is ready to go. He has trained with our ROTC for a long time, so he's just an exciting kid who comes from a hard-wording family. He's everything we're looking for."
 













Robert Kanniard
Wall, N.J. • Wall Township
Scholastic Weight: 160 pounds • Projected Collegiate Weight: 165 pounds
 
Prior to Rutgers: Competes at Wall High School … No. 7 overall recruit at 165 pounds and the No. 66 overall recruit nationally by FloWrestling … two-time NJSIAA medalist … Three-time district and two-time region champion … 45-1 record and a runner-up finish at the NJSIAA Wrestling Championships at 160 pounds as a junior … 2018 Region Six and District 23 champion … 40-3 record and a fourth-place showing at NJSIAA's as a sophomore … District 23 Most Outstanding Wrestler as a freshman at 145 pounds in 2016 … Fargo Cadet Freestyle champion at 160 pounds … Cadet duals champion.
 
Goodale on Kanniard: "Robbie is a local kid who actually lives right down the street from me in Wall. He's someone who has been training with our ROTC for a while now. He's a really good freestyler and a great athlete. He just loves the sport and is someone who we think can come in right away and wrestle."


Jackson Turley
Richmond, Va. • St. Christopher's
Scholastic Weight: 182 pounds • Projected Collegiate Weight: 185 pounds
 
Prior to Rutgers: Wrestles at St. Christopher's high school in Richmond, Virginia … No. 3 recruit at 184 pounds and No. 39 overall prospect nationally by FloWrestling … three-time Virginia state champion … Two-time National Prep finalist … finished 33-1 with a 170-pound VISAA state title as a junior … 2018 All-Metro selection by Richmond.com … runner-up at the Journeymen tournament … Fargo Junior National Freestyle All-American.
 
Goodale on Turley: "Jackson is someone who has won at the highest level and comes from a great high school. He is a tough, hard-nosed kid that we expect to come in right away and contribute."
 
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