RUTGERS report

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Rutgers' early verbal commitments are special

by Tom Luicci/Star-Ledger Staff

Tuesday June 24, 2008, 7:44 PM

Star-Ledger File Photo

QB Tom Savage, one of the big stars who have verbally committed to Rutgers for the '09 season.Tom Lemming of Prep Football Report and CSTV said this week he had Rutgers' recruiting class for 2009 ranked No. 1 in the Big East.

Quantity has something to do with that, of course, since the Knights already have 17 verbal commitments -- the third-most in the country. But the quality of the class is what has caught the attention of most recruiting experts.

All of them -- from Lemming to SuperPrep's Allen Wallace to Mike Farrell of Rivals.com to the folks at Scout.com -- predict this will be the best class in Rutgers history and one that should land in the Top 25.

How did it happen? Head coach Greg Schiano seemed to signal that he was staying for good by turning down Michigan. And two schools that once dominated the area -- Penn State and Syracuse -- aren't the recruiting factors they once were.

Three straight bowl appearances have also made Rutgers a recruiting force locally and in the surrounding states. Here's a look at how the splashiest recruiting class in school history breaks down so far -- with Rutgers still in the running for more top-level players:

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Rutgers dumps Johnson

by Tom Luicci/Star-Ledger staff

Monday June 23, 2008, 11:07 PM

For most of the past 23 years, the radio voice for Rutgers sports has been that of Bruce Johnson. That era ended yesterday -- eight years after he was replaced as the voice of Rutgers football -- when Johnson was also replaced as the play-by-play announcer for Scarlet Knights' men's basketball, the school announced.

Chris Carlin will take over for Johnson on basketball, beginning his first full year of double duty for Rutgers once football season starts.

"It's sad to see a chapter of my life end after a 23-year association with Rutgers basketball, especially at a time when Fred Hill is turning the corner in basketball. I would have liked to have been there when they do something again," Johnson said.