Gary Nova Commits to Rutgers: Scarlet Knights Fill QB Void With In-State Stud

Rutgers University got a verbal commitment that could bring the football program to the next level. Don Bosco Prep senior quarterback Gary Nova tweeted his intentions Monday morning.

Nova will fill a void on Rutgers roster that was formed when Tom Savage decided to transfer. With Savage off the roster, Chas Dodd is the only quarterback with meaningful snaps under his belt.

The status of Steve Shimko is unknown because of injury and the other two quarterbacks on the roster are walk-ons.

In Nova, Rutgers is getting a proven winner. The 6’2″, 210 pound quarterback has never lost as a starting quarterback at Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey. Nova guided the Ironmen to back-to-back state titles in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, Don Bosco was named the #1 high school team in the country.

This past season, Nova threw for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns while only being intercepted twice. When considering those numbers, keep in mind that Nova sat out the second half when many of the games were under control.

Nova had always liked Rutgers but originally committed to Pittsburgh because of the relationship he formed with then offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. When Pittsburgh fired head coach Dave Wannestedt, Rutgers went shopping.

The Scarlet Knights went out and hired Cignetti and Jeff Hafley, another former Pittsburgh coach. This also opened up the recruitment of many committed players who have changed their mind about the Panthers. Nova being one of them.

Nova is the first player from Don Bosco to choose Rutgers since former quarterback Mike Teel. Teel has similar credentials entering Rutgers but Nova may be more polished.

The Don Bosco senior also had scholarship offers from schools such as Boston College, Miami, Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Vanderbilt.

The commitment of Nova, being such a big name, could open up the door for a future relationship between Rutgers and other Don Bosco players. That is something that Rutgers had struggled to form in the past and is thought of as the next step for coach Schiano and Rutgers.

Nova is the 11th rated Pro-style quarterback according to Rivals.com.

Rutgers is getting a quarterback with tremendous talent and one that looks the part. Nova is a big, strong kid with a very big arm. He is also a natural leader.

The commitment of Gary Nova to Rutgers will help the present as well as the future of Rutgers football. Expect this youngster to push for the starting quarterback job as soon as he steps foot on campus.

Nova joins Manalapan’s Mike Bimonte has quarterbacks that have given their verbal commitment to Rutgers for 2011.