The top-ranked running back in the Garden State, Jonathan Hilliman, made his pledge to the Scarlet Knights, Thursday, at a team barbeque held at the St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) practice facility. The 6-1, 220-pounder selected Rutgers over offers from top football powers – including Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Miami (Fla.) – in front of multiple media outlets including ESPN and News 12. Hilliman expressed to NJ.com that he had a good feeling Rutgers would be his end destination at the conclusion of his visit to campus on July 26.

"I knew when I took that visit that you called me about. I knew then," said Hilliman. "That was cool for me. I just felt like it would be a great decision to stay home and help build a dynasty. It's gonna be really great. I really feel strong in my decision."

But Hilliman got even greater reinforcement, last Saturday, when he attended a Rutgers scrimmage with multiple Scarlet Knight commits as well as Saeed Blacknall, who committed that day.

"By the scrimmage last Saturday," said the power-speed combo back, "I knew this is where I wanted to be."

Blacknall – a good friend of Hilliman – committing to the Scarlet Knights appears to have also started the ball rolling for Hilliman's decision.

"That's something that did weigh into my mind," Hilliman admitted. "After he committed, it seemed like the pressure was on. Afterwards, everybody would call and text me, keep me in the loop and ask me, pretty much, every day what I was thinking."

The relationships Hilliman has built over the years with some of his fellow Rutgers commits, aided in showing him the way home. DePaul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.) standouts, Justin Nelson and Kiy Hester, as well as Manalapan (Englishtown, N.J.) star, Saeed Blacknall, each played a small part in Hilliman endearing himself to the scarlet Knights... after admittedly straying away.

"Besides Justin Nelson – because he's a former teammate – I'd definitely say Saeed played a role," said Hilliman. "Saeed and Kiy, definitely. Because Kiy, we played ball together. We played against each other in middle school basketball. I've known Kiy for a while and we've been really good friends.

"But definitely Saeed through this whole process... he was the guy who, pretty much, put me back on the Rutgers track," Hilliman continued. "Because at a point during my junior year, I was straying away for a while. I was thinking about the big name schools; names over what I really need or really want. And he really made it clear to me to make the decision for me and not for other people. And it was really good. Having teammates like him, I know we'll be successful."

Now that he has been shown the light, Hilliman has joined the efforts of Nelson, Hester, Blacknall and others in their pursuit for talent to add to Rutgers' recruiting class of 2014.

"I talk to my boy Noah Brown, the top athlete in the state," said Hilliman. "We really are ahead. He's been thinking about Rutgers for a while, too. He's a little shy to pull the trigger, but I feel with my commitment and a few other guys' commitments that he's hopefully gonna be on-board, pretty soon.

"And the tight end from the same school, Ryan Izzo. I hope he could be committing to Rutgers really soon. We have been talking to them, so hopefully they are on their way. We are on the phone. We all have the same mind."

Hilliman and company have set some lofty goals in helping fill the final remaining slots Rutgers has to offer. And the state's top player – even while committed to the Michigan Wolverines – is not exempt from recruitment from this band of brothers.

"We're trying to get (Jabrill) Peppers over here too because I know – in the back of his mind – he's thinking about RU. And he knows... We're just trying to get on the phones and start recruiting and getting more great players in here. "

Not only will Hilliman help recruit the non-committed targets that he knows, but also players he is unfamiliar with – for the good of the team.

"I will definitely find out who the other targets are because (New) Jersey football is great," he said. "I'll try to get on the phone with those guys, not to pressure them, but to let them know Rutgers is a great place."

Hilliman concluded with a closing statement for the Rutgers fans of the land.

"We're ready to do some big things," he said. "Scarlet Knight nation, we can't wait. After a state championship at St. Peter's, I'm ready to help bring a national championship to Piscataway, New Jersey. And I can't wait. Chop!"

Note: Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, N.Y.) five-star athlete, Curtis Samuel, committed to Ohio State, Friday. Samuel selected the Buckeyes over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights – his other finalist.

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