Rutgers coach Chris Ash knows about relationships and one built while at Ohio State drew a prospect all the way from Akron, Ohio for a recent junior day visit.

Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary safety Donte Taylor visited last week to see Ash’s vision for Rutgers and it did not disappoint.

“I haven’t been to Rutgers ever, so it was a good experience seeing the stadium and the facilities,” Taylor said. “I got to meet the coaching staff and just sit down and talk with my position coach.”

Taylor knew Ash from camp experiences at Ohio State.

“Coach Ash was 100 percent the reason I came,” Taylor said. “I didn’t know that much about Rutgers but when I found out he was going to be the coach, I did my research. He’s a great guy to be around for football.”

A projected safety, Taylor spoke with former Ohio State quality control coach and Rutgers defensive backs coach Bill Busch. Taylor also has a relationship with special teams coach Vince Okruch from time at Ohio State.

“Coach Busch seemed very active with the players, and deep down he was focused,” Taylor said. “Coach Okruch, we have a strong bond. He’s not just looking for tight ends he’s looking for great players out of our area [in Ohio].”

Taylor spent his weekend in New Jersey, and will be back for either a spring practice or summer camp experience to earn an offer.

“It’s an up and coming program, and I know coach Ash is going to get it together,” Taylor said.

Taylor expects an active summer camp schedule in search of more scholarship options.

“I’m looking to earn early playing time,” he said. “I don’t want to go somewhere and sit out for a couple of years. I want to go somewhere that fits me as far as the community, to be accepted in the community is big. I want to like the staff and know they can coach me.”