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Rutgers class of 2014 QB commit Tyler Wiegers

(Photo provided by Wiegers, used with permission)

NJ.com recently caught up with Tyler Wiegers, consensus four-star quarterback who recently de-committed from the Rutgers program. In the following Q&A, the 6-4, 215-pound Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills, Mich.) addresses exactly why he de-committed, whether there is a chance he could come back, his interest level in other schools and much more. Check it out!

TH: Tyler, why exactly did you choose to de-commit from the Rutgers program?

TW: It's just really been a culmination of the issues going on. It's nothing against the coaches, I love all those guys and built great relationships with them. But it was really a family decision, just where I want to be with a stable program and I'm not really sure about that with RU, right now. I hope that all clears up, but I guess right now I just want to take some other visits and see what else is out there. There is a lot going on right now, and the coaches say they'll clear it up soon. They want me to come back out for a visit in the future so that's a possibility. I'll talk that over with my family.

TH: Was there any particular issue that made you reverse your commitment?

TW: I guess the events last week were kinda like, 'Yea, there's something going on here and we've got to take a look at this.' And I guess you could also say there has been a lot happen in the athletic department since I committed. So, I'm just not really sure. I want to be at a stable program and I don't want to leave that up to chance.

TH: When you say last week's events are you referring to the bullying allegations?

TW: Yeah, but don't get me wrong. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with the coaches there. I've met them all, they're all great guys. But you don't know what kind of ramifications could come forward as far as the NCAA and stuff like that.

TH: In addition to your official visit to Iowa set for this upcoming weekend, have you scheduled any trips elsewhere?

TW: I'm talking to the University of Pennsylvania. That's the only other one right now. I'm probably gonna go out on a visit sometime in the future. But those are the only ones right now.

TH: Are you seriously considering attending an Ivy League school as opposed to a major FBS institution?

TW: I'm not sure. I've been talking to the coaches at Penn on and off for a while. So they (Iowa and UPenn) are obviously two very different schools. I guess that's something I'd really have to sit down and decide.

TH: What is it about Iowa that you find appealing?

TW: Coach (Kirk) Ferentz is a great guy. I really like all the coaches out there, actually. It's a really good Midwest feel out there. I like the campus a lot, the people there are really nice. It's a pretty good school. They have a good medical school and a lot of other good programs out there. Those are the things that attracted me and they are a school I grew up watching, too. So there is some familiarity there.

TH: Have any programs outside of those two aforementioned schools propositioned you since your Rutgers de-commitment?

TW: I've had a couple smaller schools reach out to me. Princeton reached out and I've been getting friend requests from coaches of other schools... but not really a significant approach.

TH: What are the chances you end up at Rutgers?

TW: I'm not really sure, right now. It just happened (his de-commitment) and there is a lot going on. But that is something I would consider. Rutgers was one of my favorite offers. So we'll see what happens with them.

TH: Are there any schools outside of the schools that have reached out to you that you plan to initiate contact with?

TW: There are schools that in the past I was talking to that I'm interested in. But I'm not sure if they are set at quarterback. I might reach out to them and see what happens. It would probably be some other Big Ten schools if I choose to do that. But at this point in the recruiting process, there is probably a lot already settled.

TH: When do you plan to make your final collegiate decision?

TW: I'm not really sure. It's not really a lot of pressure to make a decision now. I feel like that's one difference in my process now. It was a lot of pressure earlier when I made my first decision. Obviously, I'd rather have it done sooner than later but I want to cover all of my bases, too.

Notes: Wiegers plans to attend medical school, and comes from a family with a devout catholic background. Wiegers has kept in contact with the Rutgers staff since his de-commitment, talking to wide receivers coach Matt Simon and quarterbacks coach Rob Spence regularly. Wiegers' Yellow Jacks lost to Marine City (Mich.) 33-28 on a last minute TD in the third round of the MHSAA D4 playoffs. Prior to their season-ending loss, Detroit Country Day had won eight straight games after dropping their first three of the season. Wiegers also held offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Toledo before making his initial commitment to Rutgers.

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