ContestsEvents

LISTEN LIVE

Rutgers Announces Huge Recruiting Class on National Signing Day

Rutgers formally announced the signing of 27 student-athletes to the football program on National Signing Day earlier this week for the 2025 recruiting class. According to a number of outlets…

Greg Schiano talks to players.

PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights talks with Joe Lusardi #37 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter of a college football game against the Wagner Seahawks at SHI Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Wagner 66-7.

(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Rutgers formally announced the signing of 27 student-athletes to the football program on National Signing Day earlier this week for the 2025 recruiting class.

According to a number of outlets including 247sports, On3, and Rivals, Rutgers owns a consensus Top 30 recruiting class.

Rutgers signed 10 4-star prospects which include: linebacker Kamar Archie; defensive back Michael Clayton; Defensive back Renick 'Stretch' Dorilas; Defensive Back Tarig Hayer; Defensive lineman Robbie "RJ" Johnson Jr. Talibi Kaba; Defensive lineman Braxton Kyle; Offensive Lineman Ja'Elyne Matthews; linebacker DJ McClary; and wide receiver Michael Thomas III.

"This class was put together the old-fashioned way through years of relationships," Head Coach Greg Schiano said. "Some of these kids, we started recruiting the day we got hired, and they are finally coming to fruition now. So again, to the coaches on the staff now, to the coaches on the staff that have been here before, it's just a giant thank-you because they have done an incredible job."

11 different states comprise this year's recruiting class. Ten of the prospects hail from New Jersey, and two from New York.

The class has six defensive linemen, five offensive linemen and wide receivers, four linebackers, three defensive backs, and one listed as a thlete, quarterback, running back, and tight end.

COACH HARASYMIAK

Before Rutgers announced the class of 2025, word came down that Defensive Coordinator Joe Harasymiak has taken the Head Coaching job at UMass.

The former Head Coach at Maine, Harasymiak spent the past three seasons at Rutgers as D-Coordinator, leading one of the most prestigious groups in the nation. Last year Rutgers was ranked 16th in total defense in the nation.

Prior to joining Rutgers in 2022, Harasymiak was defensive coordinator for Minnesota from 2018 through 2021.

In three years as Maine's Head Coach from 2016-2018, Harasymiak comprised a record of 20-15.

Said Coach Schiano of Harasymiak's work at Rutgers: "I want to wish Joe Harasymiak and his family the best. Joe accepted the head coaching position at the University of Massachusetts earlier today and will do a great job there. He's been a huge help in building this thing, and just wish he and his family, like I said, the very, very best."

Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.