1996 Rutgers Recruiting Report
Robert Dieckmann-TP-77163A(HOH177)T347
Each year I enjoy putting out a Rutgers Recruiting Report,
but not this year. 1996 was a cruel joke as far as RU
recruiting goes. Read it and weep.
Does Terry Shea understand that this is the Big East, not
the Big West (where he use to coach)? I question this
not only based on location (over half of the recruits are
from California) but, mainly, on the caliber of athlete.
These kids just don't sound like Big East players.
1996 RUTGERS RECRUITING REPORT
Name pos ht wt 40yd Hometown
Shin Black Ath 6-2 210 Eitwanda,CA
Joe Cirone DL 6-3 290 San Jose,CA
Jarrett Cooper DB 5-11 180 4.5 San Jose,CA
Raishard Crawford OLB 6-3 210 Richmond,VA
Mike DeLucia DL 6-3 250 Freehold,NJ
Wayne Hampton LB 6-4 215 Paulsboro,NJ
Andy Holland WR 6-2 200 San Jose,CA (JUCO)
Clint Hunt OL 6-3 295 San Diego,CA (JUCO)
Mike Jones QB 6-5 210 Richmond,VA
Walter King WR 6-3 185 Hackensack,NJ
Marcus Luna TE 6-3 240 Sacramento,CA (JUCO)
Mike Pridgeon LB 6-1 205 Washington,DC
Randy Smith OL 6-4 255 Great Mills,MD
Perris Verduzco QB 6-2 180 Antioch,CA
Bryan Yeager Line 6-4 275 San Jose,CA (JUCO)
========================================================================
OFFENSE:
Line:
Clint Hunt (OL 6-3, 295, JUCO)
Non-qualifier out of High School. Also recruited by Illinois.
Bryan Yeager (OL/DL, 6-4, 275)
Sat out a year to bulk up. 4yr eligibility. 2nd in California
HS Heavyweight wrestling championship.
Randy Smith (OL, 6-4, 255)
Backs:
Peris Verduzco (QB 6-2, 180)
Cousin of RU's recruiting coordinator. 3 yr starter. 3,897 yds, 38 TDs.
Senior year produced 1,398 yds, 12 TDs, 6Ints for 7-3 team.
Mike Jones (QB, 6-5, 210)
As a Junior: 1,600 yards/18 TDs. As a Senior: 1,300 yards/ 12 TDs.
Honors student.
Receivers:
Andy Holland (WR, 6-2, 200, JUCO)
First Team JUCO A-A, First team Allstate, All Coast Conference.
Walter King (WR, 6-3, 185)
State 400 meters champ. Turned down Clemson.
Marcus Luna (TE, 6-3, 240, JUCO)
DEFENSE:
Line:
Mike DeLucia (DL 6-3, 250)
Broke his arm in 3rd game of season. Not offered a scholarship by
any other Div I-A team. 16 sacks as a Junior.
Linebackers:
Mike Pridgeon (LB 6-1, 205)
Team captain and MVP for the High School that supplies RU with more
players than any other (DeMatha in suburban Washington, DC).
Raishard Crawford (OLB 6-3, 210)
Has not achieved satisfactory SAT, yet
Wayne Hampton (LB 6-4, 215)
AP 1st Team A-S; NSL 2nd Team A-S DE. Probable Prop 48.
Rated the state's best OLB by one service.
Joe Cirone (OLB 6-3, 190)
Absolutely no credentials other than he's the HS teammate of Terry
Shea's son. Shea's son gave a comittment to Ohio State.
Defensive Backs:
Jarrett Cooper (DB 5-11, 180)
1st Team All-State. 11 interceptions (Led the state of California).
On offense, Cooper had 43 receptions for 724 yards/9TDs; 48 carries
for 479 yds/3TDs; 8 KO returns for 336 yards.
Shin Black (QB/LB/S, 6-2, 210)
Recruited by FSU (unfortunately for Rutgers, FSU = Fresno State U.)
--
"Listen up son and pay attention. | Bob Dieckmann (r...@quartet.att.com)
How ya gonna learn anything if you | Rutgers Football: RU ready? I are.
always got your head in a book?" |
-- Foghorn Leghorn | Lame opinions; but they're mine.
Paul E. Schwartz
Should be a real dissappointing year!
Have fun at South Bend and Austin!
Paul Schwartz
Rutgers 1979
Raymond Chao
Terry did his best to salvage the recruiting class. Although, I was
disappointed and thought he didn't pursue some of the players as
aggressively as he should of I have confidence he'll turn the team
around and improve future recruiting efforts. I was impressed with
what he had to say regarding his plans to cultivate the NJ high school
talent. He mentioned holding a quarterback camp and also talked about
starting a football tournament. I know these things are done at other
colleges, and I'm pleased to hear that Terry realizes the need to
introduce these kids to RU.
I hate when RU loses a top NJ prospect. I hate it even more when they
end up at PSU. That NJ to Pennsylvania pipeline has been well greased
for nearly half a century. I'm still trying to figure out how Wisconsin
landed Ron Dayne, the nation's #1 fullback. Alvarez has always been
acknowledged as a great recruiter and he has certainly proven it. Dayne
is just an incredible combination of size/speed. He has thrown the shotput
nearly 64 feet and is the reigning NJ recordholder in the discuss with
an incredible 201' toss. Oh, by the way, he can dunk a basketball despite
the fact that he is only about 5'11 and is nearly 260 pounds. He is just
a super athelete, who I fully expect to be playing in the NFL one day.
Gee, wouldn't it be nice to see some Rutgers players in the pros.
Of RU most recent recruiting class, Wayne Hampton, the LB out of Paulsboro,
appears to be the centerpiece. He has to bulk up a bit, but he has the tools.
Good lateral speed, can run down opposing ballcarriers, is excellent at
finishing off tackles..ackles...
Next season is definitely a transition year for the club, and I don't have
high expectations, but maybe Terry will surprise me. Hopefully, we won't
get embarrassed by Notre Dame on national TV and will pick-up several wins.
I'm currently compiling a list of the top NJ underclassmen. Something I've
been doing since I started following Rutgers Football. While next year's
crop of players won't compare to what has been describe as the "greatest
NJ high school class in decades", especially at the skill positions, it
is suppose to be strong with linemen.