*Originally from RUckmakers.com

National Signing Day 2015 has come and gone, and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team and head coach Kyle Flood announced a 24-man recruiting class on Feb. 4. All signed on the first Wednesday of February except for Weequahic High School senior Safety/Athlete Al-Kadair Ports of Newark. Ports is a verbal commit and will likely head to prep school first and would have been the 25th member.

The Scarlet Knights finished 8-5 in their first season in the Big Ten including a dominating bowl game victory over the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. Head coach Kyle Flood talked about his class in a press conference saying, “I think probably the signature of this recruiting class is going to be how they will add overall depth to our team. We have taken players at every position. I think with this recruiting class, every position group, every meeting room in this building, gets stronger and I think it really holds true to the footprint that we have used for a long time, the State of Rutgers, starting in New Jersey.”

Depth is significant when considering the top notch conference they are a member of in the Big Ten. The class of 2015 which rivals.com ranks as 53^rd best in the country features nine linemen including four offensive and five defensive big bodies. Offensive lineman Zach Venesky seems to be a solid prospect up front and Jonah Jackson is nasty and what you look for in a lineman.

The class is headlined by Tennessee flip defensive end Marques Ford. Ford is the lone four-star of the group and could contribute early now that defensive tackle Daryl Stephenson has opted not to return. Kamaal Seymour, a giant 6’6”, 280 defensive tackle who toyed with a Penn State offer, opted not to visit near the end and stick with Rutgers. Seymour can provide Rutgers with some depth, as well.

The only hold-your-breath-and-sweat-it-out recruit that came down to the wire was cornerback Jarius Adams. Adams received a late offer from Jim Harbaugh and Michigan, went on a visit, but ultimately re-confirmed a commitment to Rutgers and signed on the dotted line to head to the banks. The other cornerback to join Adams is Blessuan Austin, a big Richard Sherman type cover corner. Austin plays tight press coverage in his film and has the ability to snag the ball out of the air. Sources have yet to confirm whether or not he’s talkative like Sherman, however.

Quarterback Mike Dare committed way back on Feb. 5, 2014. Dare, who fits the pro-style mold, comes from Elmwood Park, also the hometown of graduating senior quarterback Gary Nova. Dare can learn under newly appointed offensive coordinator Ben McDaniels, who coached the receivers last season. McDaniels takes over after Ralph Friedgen resigned, but will stay on staff as a special assistant. McDaniels will be in the sixth offensive coordinator in as many years for the program.

At running back, coach Flood got a signature from an electrifying back from Pennsylvania, Charles Snorweah. Snorweah compiled an astounding 2,793 yards on the ground and 40 touchdowns last season as a senior and broke Bucks County records for single-game rushing yards (440) and single-game touchdowns (seven). In his film, Snorweah has shown the ability to bring back the “Leonard Leap” while also including juking ability in his arsenal.

With tight end Tyler Kroft heading to the NFL Draft, pickups such as Nakia Griffin and Anthony Folkerts can step in and earn some playing time. Griffin is a solid pass catcher while Folkerts is an excellent blocker. Current tight end Nick Arcidiacono is in line for a starting position unless a Matt Flanagan or one of the freshmen can show they can catch as well as block.

With the departures as well in seniors Lorenzo Waters and Jonathan Aiken at Safety, guys like freshman Kiy Hester, a Miami (FL) transfer who sat out and redshirted due to NCAA rules could push for playing time alongside redshirt junior Delon Stephenson. However, Paramus Catholic star Najee Clayton could come in and show some ability come the summer. Ronnie James, a six-foot safety/cornerback out of Glassboro, NJ is the younger brother of current Rutgers running back Paul James and could work his way in too.

After the bowl win, fans received the good news when Leonte Carroo said he was coming back for his senior season. With Carroo coming back, it will help breaking in a new quarterback this season easier. However, the team loses Andrew Turzilli but gains Ruhann Peele back after reinstatement. Incoming freshman Jawuan Harris seems like a kick-returner/slot guy like current Knight Janarion Grant. freshmen Rashad Blunt and Dontae Owens are solid prospects as well.

The class includes four-early enrollees and five New Jersey products. Rutgers will also take in graduate transfer from the University of South Carolina Kaiwan Lewis (who is from NJ) who will be on campus in the summer, but isn’t a part of the class. If you count Ports and Lewis, that will make seven who hail from Jersey.

It also includes an original member of the 2014 class in the Garden State’s defensive player of the year in linebacker Sidney Gopre. The class altogether totals five linebackers.

Many of the recruits named a couple things that stood out on why they chose Rutgers over their other opportunities. The reasons that were popular were the family atmosphere, playing in the Big Ten Conference and the opportunity to win conference championships and national championships, academics, and being in the biggest media market in the world close to New York City.

While this class lacks superstar talent (with the exception of maybe Ford) it is a solid class nonetheless. Who knows – maybe there will be some surprises and some breakout players will emerge.

2015 Recruiting Class by Position

QB: 1

RB: 1

FB: 0

TE: 2

WR: 3

OL: 4

DL: 5

LB: 4

DB: 4

Take a look at the class below per 247sports:

^^Ports did not sign