New Jersey LB Solomon Manning Commits To Rutgers

A New Jersey recruit has chosen to stay home.

Colonia, N.J. junior linebacker Solomon Manning committed to Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood and the staff Monday over offers from the likes of North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse among others.

Ranked the top linebacker in the state by 247sports.com, Manning only recently earned a Rutgers offer during the Knight Skills Camp on June 5. Flood encouraged the three-star recruit to drop by Rutgers yesterday and commit, or the offer gets taken away. Manning did and pledged to the Scarlet Knights.

Colonia Jr. LB Solomon Manning (Todderick Hunt | NJ Advance Media)

Prior to doing so, Manning made an announcement of his collegiate decision with NJ.com Sunday afternoon.

The 6-1, 200-pound linebacker racked up 100 tackles, five sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries last season for the Patriots, guiding them to an 11-win season.

The linebacker becomes the ninth recruit to join fellow 2016 commits, linebacker Jonathan Pollock, running back Trey Sneed, wide receivers Mo Jabbie, Ahmed Bah, and Taysir Mack, offensive lineman Nick Krimin, linebacker Elias Reynolds, and quarterback Anthony Russo. Manning projects to the outside linebacker spots along with Reynolds, while Pollock is a fit for inside.

Manning loved the idea to stay home and represent the Garden State, while having family and friends attending his games.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Manning said in the video interview with NJ.com. “Making plays in New Jersey knowing that you’re representing your own state, your own home town, everybody is going to be watching you, people are going to be able to come to my games as well, that’s going to be the greatest feeling.”

Manning comes from the same high school as former Rutgers player and current nationwide inspirational figure Eric LeGrand, and mentions every top level caliber player coming from Colonia should head to Rutgers.

“Everybody that comes through here that has the potential to play Division-1 football, they should all go to Rutgers and represent their state.”

Stick with DoubleGSports.com for all your Rutgers Scarlet Knight football needs.