Tuesday, Rutgers added to its offensive arsenal in signing former University of Miami tight end Jerome Washington. The 6-5, 245-pounder received a full release from the Hurricanes in April, and is eligible to play for Rutgers beginning in 2017.

"We didn't really do too much for it," Washington, who will report to camp on June 26, told NJ.com. "I kind of just signed it and sent it out. They sent it around 12:30 (p.m.). I feel like it's my second time around so it's kind of just like a more strictly business type thing."

Although forced to hold off on game action, Washington is happy to put the recruiting process behind him once and for all.

"It feels good," he said. "I'm definitely excited to get started and get to work and see what lies ahead of me. I have to sit out the 2016 season. And from what I've seen from players that have transferred and have to sit out, you mostly are on like scout team.

"So hopefully my role this year is just to get to work and get better everyday, whether that be on scout team or whatever they ask me to do, and just push whoever I'm going against to play at their best. And I hope they do the same for me."

But most of all, he's just happy to be home.

Despite playing his high school football at the Stony Brook School in Long Island, Washington's family has always resided in Elizabeth.

"I'm a family-oriented person," he said. "I like being around my family and I feel like I'm gonna be a lot more successful (based on) the fact that I'm close to my mom, my sister, my dad and all my uncles and aunts. They all live in Jersey, so the fact that they can come and see me play at home games each and every week and take like a 30-minute maximum drive definitely played an important role in me coming back to Jersey.

"And then just -- I don't know -- there is something about Jersey. It's a hard-working state. And it's home for me, so I'm happy to be back."

Although a qualifier out of high school, Washington didn't have many options as his grades were marginal and his high school team wasn't highly-recruited.

He would receive a full scholarship to St. Frances University (Loretto, Pa.) in the 12th grade, but held out for an opportunity to eventually play at Rutgers. But an offer from the Scarlet Knights would never come.

Washington's aspirations led him to The Gunnery, a prep school in Washington, Conn., where he played one year before transferring to Mercer County Community College (West Windsor, N.J.) in 2014. That fall, he played football at Gattaca, a junior college-like club team, and had vast success, accumulating 24 receptions for 510 yards and eight TDs.

He then ascended to the University of Miami on full scholarship, where he was recruited by tight ends coach Larry Scott, after earning a four-star post-graduate rating.

According to 247Sports.com, Washington was the country's top ranked post-graduate tight end at the time.

Currently a history major, Washington will have two years to play two, after sitting out in 2016, per NCAA transfer rules.

"I'm basically a junior academically," he said. "So I have to see if it's too late to change my major or if I have to keep the major I had at Miami. But my previous major was history."

But like any other athlete playing at the Power 5 level, football is likely to feel like his major once Washington reaches the banks.

Stick with NJ.com as his Rutgers career commences.

Todderick Hunt may be reached at

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