Mo Jabbie

Mohamed Jabbie

(Photo courtesy of Jabbie, used with permission)

Mohamed Jabbie, six-foot, 175-pound defensive back/wide receiver, committed to Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood, Monday. The South Brunswick (Monmouth Junction, N.J.) junior is the nephew of former Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who now plays for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.

"He's my mom's brother," said Jabbie of Sanu. "He lived with me and my parents my whole life so we are really close. We have that great bond."

Jabbie says Sanu was excited when he told him of his decision to commit to his alma mater.

"He was happy for me," said Jabbie. "Any place that I was gonna go, he was gonna be happy. But he was more excited that it was his school that he went to. And I want to follow in his footsteps."

What else was it about Rutgers that made Jabbie select to stay home?

"Everything, I knew I was going there from the jump," he said. "I loved it. That game when they beat Michigan, the atmosphere was crazy and I just loved every single part of it. So I had to. I had to let go now.

"And the coaching staff. I love every single one of the coaches. They are amazing. Plus, the atmosphere and the players. I have a lot of good friends who are on that team. I just wanted to stay home."

Apparently, Jabbie knew for a long time that he'd eventually commit to his state school.

"I knew ever since my uncle got his offer when he was in high school," said Jabbie. "And once I got mine, I knew it was right because that was my dream school."

Jabbie walked NJ.com through his commitment.

"I called coach Flood and he was not expecting it, not at all," said Jabbie. "He was really surprised. He sounded really happy and I just told him. And he just kept on saying congratulations. And now, it's gonna be something big. Rutgers is gonna be a really good team"

Jabbie, who received his Rutgers offer in June, had no other offers, but was being recruited diligently by Purdue, Indiana, Pitt, Boston College, and Temple.

Known more for his exploits at the cornerback position, Jabbie was recruited to Rutgers to play wide receiver – like his uncle – following a standout performance from the offensive side of the ball at Rutgers camp.

"I went to the camp for receiver and I balled out," he said.

Jabbie further broke down his skill-set, which Rutgers fans will become accustomed to over the next few years.

"My football IQ is really good, I think," he said. "My awareness, my reaction time, my route running, my hands. My route running is really crazy. I learned from my uncle. He's been teaching me for a long time."

Jabbie, the third member of Rutgers' recruiting class of 2016, is expected to visit campus Saturday during Rutgers' bye week, and again on Nov. 1, when Rutgers hosts the Wisconsin Badgers.

In three games this season, Jabbie has compiled 18 tackles, three pass break-ups, and one reception for 10 yards (South Brunswick runs the triple option).

Rutgers assistants Phil Galiano and Ben McDaniels have played critical roles in Jabbie's recruitment.

See photos of players currently committed to Rutgers football, here:

Rutgers Class of 2015 Signees 26 Gallery: Rutgers Class of 2015 Signees

Todderick Hunt may be reached at thunt@nj.com. Follow him on Twitter @TodderickHunt. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.