Rutgers flipped a top New Jersey prospect from Big Ten rival Penn State. The four-star linebacker, was previously committed to playing for the Nittany Lions. He made an official visit on the weekend of June 14, but decided to change his mind after attending an official visit on the banks of the Raritan last weekend. He highlighted a private talk he had with coach Schiano during the official visit weekend as the reason why he committed.
McClary, who stands 6 feet 1 and weighs 211 pounds, has had a close relationship with Rutgers defensive coach Joe Harasymiak throughout his recruitment process. He also has a significant connection to Rutgers through his brother and Snyder coach, Isaac Holmes. Holmes played for coach Schiano during his first tenure on the banks. When McClary’s recruitment season began, the two appeared to have reestablished close communication.
“It’s like home,” McClary said when asked about the school and the overall atmosphere. “We have a wonderful friendship.(The coaching staff) I speak with them here and there to check if they are good.”
McClary had previously committed to play for the Nittany Lions during his visit to Happy Valley, but he told Penn State Head Coach James Franklin that if he enjoyed his official visit to Rutgers, he would reverse his decision. The Penn State coach was quite sympathetic and gave some guidance to the rookie linebacker.
“His message was really to take your time with things,” according to McClary. “He will always be there for me. He’s with me every step of the way.
What this means for Rutgers
What does McClary’s flipped commitment signify for the Scarlet Knights? Firstly, it indicates that they have the ability to attract prospects who were previously committed to other Big Ten schools. Historically, Rutgers has often lost recruits to larger programs, as seen with Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley, who initially committed to Rutgers but later switched to other schools. McClary’s decision to join Rutgers highlights the program’s improved status, especially under Greg Schiano’s leadership.
Additionally, this shift suggests that Rutgers is now more effective at recruiting within New Jersey compared to previous years. The state has traditionally been lukewarm towards its own football program, with many fans favoring college football teams from other regions. However, this trend appears to be changing. Rutgers is making significant strides in recruiting top local talent and, for the first time since Schiano’s earlier tenure, is securing commitments from some of the best players in the state. Schiano has a track record of successfully recruiting top New Jersey players, and he seems to be on that path again.
Depending on the rankings, another Rutgers commit, Michael Thomas III, is among the top five in the state, meaning Rutgers now has two top-five commits from New Jersey. This is a significant improvement from previous years when landing even one top local recruit was a challenge. Indeed, times are changing on the banks of the Raritan.
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