With the lack of talent in New Jersey's graduating senior class, Rutgers 2010 recruiting was viewed as underwhelming coming into today.  But with today's flurry of activity, Greg Schiano and the Rutgers coaching staff has lifted the hopes of the Scarlet faithful with a great finishing stretch.

Along with Tampa's Jeremy Deering, Rutgers scored two other 4-star recruits, the highest rated players in this year's recruiting class.

First it was Florida prep star Rashad Knight who chose Rutgers over Michigan and Auburn.  Knight cited Rutgers aggressive recruiting, and his comfort at RU as a reason for his decision to come to the Banks.  Knight is listed as 5'11 and 175 pounds, and was rated in the Top 20 cornerbacks in the nation for his recruiting class.  He will most likely play saftey for Rutgers.

"I sat down with my family and talked about it —I called the coach at Michigan to let him know," Knight said. "I just felt too comfortable at Rutgers to not go there."

"A lot of coaches from a bunch of schools called here and there, but he [Rutgers' secondary coach Ed Pinkham] kept calling me so much, it started to get annoying," Knight said. "Then, after a while, I began to feel real comfortable with him and what he was saying and our talks."--BleacherReport.com

Later this morning, news trickled in that 6'6 wide receiver Brandon Coleman from Maryland would be heading north to RU.  Coleman was regarded as one of the best undeclared receivers in the country, and his addition is a huge help for the depleted Rutgers wide receiving corps.  Coleman will compete for playing time immediately and gives Tom Savage a big target opposite Mohamed Sanu.  If Coleman is the real deal, opposing defenses are going to be fearing the Rutgers offense for years to come.  Before deciding to choose Rutgers, Coleman also had offers to BC, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Maryland, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech.

Though this class won't be as heralded as others in the past, the strong finish and the key victories that they scored today could pay dividends in the future for RU recruiting.

Deering chose the Scarlet Knights over Florida State

In a shocker, Jeremy Deering has foregone the homestate Seminoles, and decided to take his talent North to the banks of the Old Raritan.  Deering is rated as a three-star recruit, but the major thing for Rutgers is winning the head-to-head battle against Florida State in their own backyard.  In the last few days, Rutgers has confirmed their strong presence in Florida with several big recruits.  The pipeline from Florida to Rutgers is still alive and well.

Rutgers has closed their recruiting period strong, and a once mundane class has been lifted by the late additions of Deering and 4-star recruits Brandon Coleman and Rashad Knight.

Deering, a running back in high school who has accounted for over 1,000 all-purposes yards in each of the last three seasons, will move to wideout at RU.  One of his major reasons for choosing Rutgers over the Seminoles was the fact that Deering will see the field right away with RU's lack of depth at the WR position:

"I felt like it was the place for me and the best offer," Deering said. "I feel like I'll get the most playing time there my first year."--TBO.com

Deering's final five out of nearly 30 Division 1 offers were Purdue, Illinois, Florida, Florida State and Rutgers.  Deering had narrowed the list of five down to just RU and FSU before tonight's decision.

A huge recruiting victory for Rutgers.  Welcome to the banks Jeremy!

South Carolina QB Chas Dodd is headed for the Banks

Rutgers has gotten its 8th commitment for the class of 2010.  South Carolina prep QB Chas Dodd is the latest to verbal to the Scarlet Knights. 

Dodd led Byrnes High School in South Carolina to it's second straight AAAA-I state championship last season, and completed over 56% of his passes for 18 touchdowns and almost 2400 yards. 

Dodd chose Rutgers over Clemson, Wake Forest and South Carolina.

To see Dodd in action, click here.  From the video, it seems like he's a QB that is comfortable inside or outside the pocket, one of the few flaws that Mike Teel possessed.  For as good a QB Teel was when in the pocket, when he was flushed to the outside, or felt the pocket collapsing around him, the play was basically over.  Dodd looks like he has some speed, and a big arm, and though he's only 6 feet and 190 pounds, he looks like he's that guy that just knows how to make big plays when they're needed.

Welcome aboard Chas!