PISCATAWAY, NJ–Rutgers football secured commitments from four New Jersey recruits, including two of the state’s top players, in just over a week.

The Scarlet Knights secured a pair of four-star recruits in Cedar Creek wide receiver Bo Melton and St. John Vianney offensive tackle Micah Clark. Clark’s teammate, guard Jamaal Beaty, as well as Burlington wide receiver, committed as well.

Melton, the sixth-ranked recruit in the state, did not previously hint at when he would announce his decision, so when he publicized his commitment to Rutgers on April 15, many observers were taken by surprise.

Melton became Rutgers’ first four-star commit since defensive end Marques Ford in January 2015, according to 247Sports. Ford has since transferred from the program.

Melton is a 6-0, 180-pound athlete who plays running back and defensive back in addition to his primary position of wide receiver.

His film demonstrates his speed, his ability to evade defenders, and his penchant for picking up yards after contact.

Melton’s impressive film certainly played a role in him receiving 26 scholarship offers, including some from powerhouse football programs such as Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Oregon.

Just days after the big recruiting win of Melton, Rutgers received even more good news when Micah Clark announced his commitment on April 19. Clark’s St. John Vianney teammate guard Jamaal Beaty committed with him.

Clark, New Jersey’s top-ranked player, is a four-star recruit according to 247Sports. The site also lists him as the 14th-ranked offensive tackle in the nation, and the 70th-ranked overall recruit in the country.

Clark announced his top five last Thursday, with Rutgers on top of Michigan, North Carolina, Michigan State, and Tennessee.

In addition to those teams, Clark held offers from a number of top programs, including Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Penn State, Iowa, Miami, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

If Clark stays true to his commitment and enrolls at Rutgers, he will be the first top-five Garden State recruit that Rutgers has landed since 2012, when defensive tackle Darius Hamilton (#1) and wide receiver Leonte Carroo (#5) joined the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers added its fourth commit in eight days when Burlington wide receiver Everett Wormley committed on Friday evening.

The 6-1, 175-pound pass catcher is a three-star recruit according to his 247Sports profile, and is listed as the 30th-ranked recruit in the state.

In addition to Rutgers, Wormley also held offers from Boston College, Temple, Buffalo, and Old Dominion.

With cornerback Naijee Jones and wide receiver Bryce Watts already committed, the Scarlet Knights now have six commits for the 2017 class. According to 247Sports, Rutgers has cracked the top 40 nationally in terms of 2017 recruiting classes.

Rutgers remains in the mix for top uncommitted New Jersey recruits like Princeton defensive tackle Fred Hansard, Paramus Catholic linebacker Drew Singleton, and Singleton’s teammate defensive tackle Corey Bolds.

New Rutgers coach Chris Ash is yet to coach a game for the Scarlet Knights, but has so far had success on the recruiting trail, an area the previous coaching regime struggled. 

Reporter at New Brunswick Today