As he introduced his 17-player recruiting class on the first day of the early signing period Wednesday, Rutgers coach Chris Ash hinted that more commitments could be coming in the next few days.

"We expect to probably have maybe a couple more before the signing period is over,'' Ash said.

Apparently so.

Rutgers got a boost to its 2019 recruiting class Thursday, when Northwest Mississippi Community College sophomore Monterio Hunt committed to play for the Scarlet Knights following a weekend visit.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound wide receiver from Walnut, Miss., announced his pledge over Twitter and told NJ Advance Media he planned to sign in early January (the signing period for mid-year Junior College enrollees runs from Dec. 19 through Jan. 15).

Thank God for this one🙏🏽 officially committed to Rutgers University‼️🛡⚔️ pic.twitter.com/4SRZ7uB2b8 — Monterio Hunt (@HuntMonterio) December 20, 2018

Hunt tallied 41 receptions for 405 yards and three touchdowns while starting every game for an 8-2 Northwest Mississippi Community College football team this past season.

Hunt started his collegiate career at Marshall University, a Conference USA program based in West Virginia. In 2017, Hunt played in all 12 games primarily on special teams.

A consensus three-star prospect, Hunt was rated as the 15th-best prospect in Mississippi in 2017 after hauling in 25 passes for 673 yards, rushing for 1,140 yards and totaling 23 touchdowns overall. He reportedly held offers from Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Southern Miss, South Alabama and Tennessee-Martin.

Hunt, who will turn 20 on Jan. 26, will have three years to play two at Rutgers. He is expected to enroll in classes in January and be one of seven 2019 recruits to participate for the Scarlet Knights in spring camp.

Hunt is the 18th scholarship player to join a recruiting class that’s expected to stretch to 24 players between now and the traditional signing period in February.

Hunt is also the third junior-college recruit and the second wide receiver prospect, filling an immediate need at a position that was one of Rutgers' weakest units last fall. On Wednesday, Rutgers signed Isaiah Washington, a 6-3, 192-pound wideout from Jacksonville, Fla., who reportedly chose the Scarlet Knights over 20 offers, including Power Five Conference schools' Boston College, Duke, Nebraska, N.C. State, Purdue and Wake Forest.

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.