Rutgers Saturday BBQ recap | 2 NJ.com Top 50 targets knighted

By Todderick Hunt | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Saturday, Rutgers held a summer barbecue for recruits in anticipation of a month-long dead period in August in which recruits will not be allowed to visit campus. There were a couple commitments made, progress made with others, and just an overall positive day for the Scarlet Knights. They kept the numbers down as there were approximately 50 recruits there compared to some of the program's events where they host over 100 kids.

New Rutgers additions

Two members of the prestigious NJ.com Top 50 list of recruits pledged to Rutgers Saturday at the barbecue. Their decisions sparked the energy the staff needed going into such a pro-longed period where they will have sparse recruit interaction.

Connor Grieco, 2019 S, St. Joseph (Mont.)

Saturday, Rutgers earned its first of two commitments from St. Joseph (Montvale, N.J.) safety Connor Grieco, a 6-3, 190-pounder, tough enough to play inside the box and get ball-carriers on the ground. He also has the movement skills, footwork, recognition and fluidity to man the third level of the defense at the Power 5 level of play.

A three-star recruit, Grieco had been battling between Rutgers and Army for the past few weeks. He even, at one point, told the Rutgers staff that he'd play for the service academy instead. But he's now a Scarlet Knight, following a visit for Rutgers' barbecue, in which he was accompanied by both of his parents and siblings. NJ Advance Media first teased Grieco's addition Saturday, prior to his big reveal.

"I committed to Rutgers today because there was simply no other school I wanted to attend," Grieco said. "They were my second offer and always showed me love throughout this whole process. They have one of the best business programs in the country, which also played a big factor. You can't beat playing in the Big 10 being an hour from home, as well."

Marlyn Johnson, 2019 WR, Peddie (Hightstown, N.J.)

The Scarlet Knights were in need of a big receiver and they got one Saturday when 6-4, 190-pound Peddie (Hightstown, N.J.) three-star Marlyn Johnson joined the fold, during Rutgers' Saturday barbecue.

"I was just here talking to the coaches, coach (Chris) Ash, (coach) Blazek, coach Omar (Hales)," Johnson, who attended the barbecue with his father, told NJ.com. "We had conversations and I just feel like this is the place."

Although there were various schools in the mix, none could match the comfort level he experienced on the banks.

"It was like between Rutgers and a couple other schools really in my top list," he said. "And after today, I just knew there was no need to really wait. I feel really comfortable about the decision."