The Monday Morning Kickoff
The start of training camp inches closer with the first practice of the summer set to begin on August 8th. Yesterday marked the start of the team’s conditioning tests for the summer, in which players are required to run certain distances in a certain amount of time.
This latest test required players to run a pair of 300-yard shuttles under a certain amount of seconds, which differs according to position group. That has changed a bit from last year’s conditioning test which required players to run 16 110-yard runs, all of which have to be under a certain amount of time.
On the recruiting front, Rutgers continues to do well with a host of prospects. Among those prospects is Mater Dei wide receiver Eddie Lewis, who named Rutgers in his final three.
“The relationship I built with Coach Ash and the staff is a main reason they are at the top of my list,” Lewis said of Rutgers. “They came in and offered me and made me feel wanted. I also like what Coach Ash is doing there recruiting and trying to get the kids in this state to stay home.”
Rutgers also remains on top for three-star defensive tackle Darius Stills of Fairmount, W.V.
“Rutgers is at the top; they are my No.1 right now,” said Stills. “They are in a great conference, the coaching staff is unbelievable, and the facilities are just great. …Coaches Bauer and Burnham both really stand out to me. They actually talk to me and show me love more than all the other coaches recruiting me. Also, they just keep telling me how bad they want me to go to Rutgers and stuff like that.”
The Scarlet Knights also lead for Florida defensive back Jeffrey Lubin of South Broward High School.
"Rutgers is my leading school. I like the program, it's one of my biggest offers, and they play in a really good conference in the Big Ten,” Lubin said. “I have not visited Rutgers yet but I do plan on visiting soon.”
This coming weekend, Rutgers will host a large group of prospects for a Barbecue and among those scheduled to attend are four-stars Fred Hansard (The Hun School) and Markquese Bell (Bridgeton).
Every RU commit in the class of 2017 is also scheduled to attend with the exception of Samuel Vretman, who is spending his summer in his home country of Sweden. Scarlet Nation has a complete list of visitors and be sure to stay logged onto The Round Table for all the latest recruiting and team updates.