Staying on the Block R

If you look at the major programs in the country, most of them have a heavy flavor of in-state recruits. And then the marquee places sprinkle in a few blue chippers. But look at Ohio State's roster and you see this Ohio town and that Ohio town, and yes, even a New Jersey guy is in there to shore up their secondary (Malcolm Jenkins from Piscataway).

But Rutgers is keeping a 6 foot, 6 inch, 340 pound anchor on the offensive line in the form of Anthony Davis. And if you don't quite understand the significance, let me put it this way, in terms of recruiting, it might have as big an impact as the victory over Louisville, and maybe in the long term, more of an impact. Anthony is from the shadow of Rutgers, and recent history has seen some pretty good atheletes bolt from Piscataway and find success elsewhere, Jenkins in football is a decent example, but you might also remember a guard from Villanova names John Celestand (who used to stick to Rutgers every time payed them, and incedentally, was draftred by the Lakers in 99 and has a World Championship Ring from 2000, go figure)...but I digress...

Anthony Davis is a 5 star stud that was recruited by the likes of perennial impending national champions like Ohio State, USC, and even nostalgia former powers Florida State and Miami, and according to some web sites, Davis had over 50 offers to sift through. After all the dust settled, including a awe-inspiring, VIP visit to the game of the season, Ohio State v. Michigan as an honored guest of the Buckeyes, Davis still looked in his heart and chose the Scarlet Knights. And his prescence will hopefully show other recruits that Rutgers is not a flash in the pan, with one good season, and then a return to obscurity, instead, Rutgers is a young team, with good players not only as starters but as back-ups, and adding more depth all the time.

And if you think this young stud would have signed if Schiano had bolted to Miami, don't kid yourself. Schiano is as big a reason kids are coming as any. After the dust settles this Monday night to determine a national champion (non-playoff division), start poling around and look at who will again be making national headlines for all the right reasons.

Welcome Mr. Davis.