Rutgers has landed it's top quarterback target from the 2017 recruiting class.

St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) junior Johnathan Lewis, a three-star dual-threat, committed to Rutgers during a visit to the Hale Center, Friday night.

"It was the fact that it's close and the coaches have a great relationship with me now. Rutgers' offense is a high-tempo spread offense just like I run at prep," Lewis told NJ.com, Friday afternoon. "I've already had success in this program, so why not be successful in the same thing at Rutgers."

The 6-3, 220-pounder attended Rutgers junior day, visited for the first scrimmage of the spring as well as the spring game, and came away feeling he could operate the Scarlet Knights' attack.

"I was actually talking about it with my parents the day Bo Melton committed, right before it happened," he said. "And then we called up Hansen and he was like, 'Do you want to do it now or do you want to wait because all the coaches wanted to come see you first?' And I told him I would like to further my recruitment for a few more weeks. So I decided I was gonna do it two weeks ago, but I wanted to do it either before or after the Opening."

Lewis, who recently gained 20 pounds and now weighs 220, has the physical tools, which should allow offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer to open up the playbook once he arrives.

"I have a strong arm and now I can accurately place the ball to where I want," said Lewis. "Over this off-season, I've gained weight so it will be an easier transition to being hit by bigger players. I'm really mobile. I can make plays by trowing and running, so it's pretty hard to cover."

However, Lewis and Mehringer have yet to discuss many specifics about the offense.

"In our conversations, we barely talk about football," said Lewis. "We just talk about things so we can get better accustomed to one another so our relationship will grow."

But how soon could Lewis get on the field?

"They haven't exactly said I can come in and play as a freshman," said Lewis. "But they are saying that with my class, we're gonna be great. So I'm assuming that's what it is, that I can come in and compete as a freshman and fight to win the starting role."

Lewis threw for Iowa coaches on Thursday, the team to finish second behind Rutgers. And he's debating whether or not to continue throwing for schools in the future.

"I'm actually debating that because I don't want to not throw and hurt other players on the team," he said. "The only reason why I throw is to get my players looked at, as well."

Despite holding only six offers -- from Rutgers, Georgia, Iowa, Boston College, Wake Forest and Temple -- Lewis has the size and skill-set the new Rutgers staff covets in their power spread offensive system, which made him a primary target.

Lewis would likely have added additional offers throughout the spring evaluation period as most staffs prefer to watch quarterbacks throw in-person before offering.

However, with the country's top quarterbacks making their selections earlier every year, and due to the fact that only one quarterback can play at a time, his timetable was accelerated.

In 2015, Lewis accumulated 1,669 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, 501 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

The No. 19 recruit in the NJ.com Top 50 and top-ranked 2017 quarterback, Lewis is Rutgers' seventh commit of the 2017 class, all of which consists of homegrown New Jersey talent.

Lewis led the Marauders to an 8-3 record last fall.

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