BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: RUTGERS

July 16, 2007



VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Christian Morris (C), South Kent Prep



Projected 2007-2008 Roster:


SENIORS: Byron Joynes (C)
JUNIORS: Anthony Farmer (PG), Jaron Griffin (G/F), JR Inman (F), Courtney Nelson (PG)
SOPHOMRES: Hamady N'Diaye (C)
FRESHMEN: Corey Chandler (G), Justin Sofman (G), Earl Pettis (G), Mike Cobourn (PG), Marvell Waithe (F)
2008 Early Commitment: Mike Rosario (G), Christian Morris (C)


The first part of the July evaluation period brough some bad news for Fred Hill and his Rutgers staff and some good news. Early in the month, Olu Ashaolu opted to re-open his recruitment after some spirited play at RBK U and other events. He still is considering the Scarlet Knights, but he wants to be able to play on the perimeter in college. However, today Fred Hill got some better news as Christian Morris decided to end his recruitment with the news that Morris is Headed to Rutgers (zagsblog)

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Recruiting is a funny game for sure. Over the weekend, while playing at the Joe Brown Memorial Tournament, Christian Morris indicated that he was going to look around in the recruiting process a little more and get a sense of who else is out there. This came as a bit of a surprise as many beleived he was on the verge of joining the Rutgers program as a verbal commitment. Well, Monday morning came and Morris thought the time was right and he made the verbal pledge to join the Scarlet Knights for the 2008 class.

Morris is a 6'9, 270 lb center that definitely will remind some of Byron Joynes. I am not completely sure how accurate the 270 lb measurement is, because Morris is DEFINITELY big and 270 seems a bit light right now for him. Morris is definitely an inside horse, but getting his weight and conditioning in control will make him effective at the Big East level. He definitely has the potential to be nimble in the post, but if he is not in shape, he has trouble staying out of foul trouble and being effective on both ends of the floor. Morris is a NYC native that Rutgers has made their top big man target for a few months now. Immediate playing time is very likely at Rutgers as he will team with hamady N'Diaye as the only true post players on their roster.

The additionl of Morris, on paper, leaves the Scarlet Knights with one scholarship left for the class of 2008 with the most obvious need still coming in the form of help upfront. St. Patrick BF Quintrell Thomas has seen his recruitment skyrocket this spring, but Rutgers was on him early. Forwards Mookie Jones (Peekskill, NY) and Kevin Jones (Mount Vernon) have also been high on the RU radar. Rutgers remains in the picture for Ashaolu, but their need for players on the frontline might steer him away from the program. There are ongoing concerns on whether Marvel Waithe will get through the clearinghouse to join Rutgers for the 2007-2008 season. He would be an athletic forward that might not help much underneath, but adds versatility and athleticism to the mix.

Rutgers seems to be pretty stacked at the guard positioin with 2007 recruits Corey Chandler, Mike Cobourn, Justin Sofman and Earl Pettis. Their earlier commitment for 2008 from Mike Rosario strenghtened their guard corps even more as Rosario looks to be the perfect compliment to Cobourn and Chandler in a future 3-guard set. Rosario was St. Anthony's leading scorer as a junior and has shown the ability to score in bunches, something Rutgers has struggled mightily to do.

Fred Hill continues to work his tail off to increase the recrutiing profile of the Scarlet Knights. We will keep following the recruiting stories of Rutgers going forward.

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