Rutgers fans finally got the commitment they were hoping for when Cedar Creek (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) wide receiver Bo Melton pledged to the Scarlet Knights, Friday night.

The 6-1, 180-pound four-star recruit (according to 247Sports.com), ranked No. 4 in the new NJ.com Top 50, has been contemplating staying home for a while now.

"I was talking to my parents tonight about it and I told them I was thinking about it for a long time," Melton told NJ.com. "And they said, 'It's your decision and you do what you gotta do.' And I let them know I'm going there, I'm committing there. And then I told coach Ash and he was fired up and had to pull his car over and talk to me."

What was the final thing that made Melton realize he wanted to stay home and become a Scarlet Knight like his father Gary Melton before him?

"Well, today really sparked it a lot because Rutgers was my No. 1 already. I didn't tell anyone about that but they were my No. 1 already," he said. "And April 15 was the first day coaches are allowed to come to the school. And I walk in the hallway and I see Rutgers first (cornerbacks coach Aaron Henry). So it was like, oh, alright, Rutgers really wants me, I really want them, so lets make it happen."

It's safe to say head coach Chris Ash reacted positively to the groundbreaking news.

"He asked me at least three more times. He's like, 'Are you serious?' He was like, 'You've gotta be kidding me.' He was just so happy," said Melton. "And then he pulled over and he said, 'You are gonna be a big star in this legacy. I can't wait to have you on. I cant wait to have you up for the spring game. Bo, you made my day. In my four months being at Rutgers, this is the best day I ever had.'"

Melton is expected to potentially make a contribution on the banks from day one.

"They expect me to be a true freshman and for me to have a lot of all-purpose yards and to spark the Rutgers nation," he said. "And that's what I think every Rutgers fan wants me to do and that what I plan to do when I get there."

Melton's father, Gary Melton, played wide receiver and running back for Rutgers from 1987-91. And his mother, Vicky, played basketball at the school from 1989-93, where she and his father met.

"It feels great to go to the same school my parents attended. My mom can't stop shaking, I'm gonna be honest. And my dad, he's very happy with me. It's just that, for my mom and dad to go there and for me to go there, it's like I'm making them proud," he said. "And that's one thing a kid always wants for their parents, to make them proud. And for me to be blessed with the ability to play football and make my parents proud through a sport and let them come watch me play the game is unbelievable, so I'm so happy."

In 2015, Melton became the Pirates' go-to offensive threat, accumulating 742 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, 31 catches for 676 yards and 11 receiving scores and two passing touchdowns -- both in playoff games.

He also managed to block the potential game-winning kick to preserve the Pirates' opening-round playoff win over Collingswood and finished with big performances in the last two postseason victories against Haddonfield and West Deptford.

His efforts helped lead the Pirates to a 10-2 record and South Jersey, Group 2 sectional title.

Melton chose Rutgers over upwards of 30 other schools, including Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Maryland, Pitt and others.

He joins Rutgers' two junior N.J. defensive back commitments in Toms River North's Bryce Watts (No. 41 in the NJ.com Top 50) and Timber Creek's Naijee Jones (No. 48), both two-star recruits.

Stick with NJ.com as Rutgers' promising start with N.J.'s 2017 recruiting class continues.

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