Watch JSZ highlight reels of the newest commitments to Rutgers and follow along as the recruiting trail heats up leading to Wednesday’s early Signing Day period.

On Tuesday, Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano spoke at the third annual Jersey Sports Zone football banquet in front of the state’s top players talking about the importance of recruiting in-state talent. In the span of three days, Schiano and his staff have managed to get three members of JSZ’s All-Zone team to switch from Power 5 commitments to stay in-state and be part of the Scarlet Knights football program. That number could continue to grow leading up to the first early signing day period this Wednesday:

Chris Long, Willingboro

An original commit to Temple, Long was recruited by Fran Brown to Philadelphia. Long gave a glimpse of his future when he had a 7 catch, 212 yard, 3 TD performance at SHI Stadium in the Chimeras 50-14 win over Penns Grove in the South Group 1 championship. Long finished with South Jersey’s single-season receiving yards record topping 1600 yards with 20 TD catches. Brown was on the sidelines for the Willingboro victory and two days later Long announced his switch from the Owls to Rutgers:

I just want to thank God because without him none of this would even be possible. For the next 3-4 years I will be taking my Talents to Rutgers University. Represent My state🙏🏾 #Chopnation @GregSchiano @RUCoachFran pic.twitter.com/C3dwAYoEHu — Chris Long™️ (@Hunchoboychris) December 10, 2019

Max Melton, Cedar Creek Wide Receiver

Melton was a Big Ten commit to Purdue, but he is now on his way to Piscataway. Melton will join his older brother Bo on the Scarlet Knights roster and is projected to play in the secondary in college:

COMMITTED⚔️‼️… Thanking God for every blessing he has given me. I will be representing my home state! #ChopNation @RUCoachFran @GregSchiano pic.twitter.com/7BYUu50In7 — Malachi "Max" Melton (@melton_max) December 11, 2019

Tyreem Powell, Vineland Linebacker

Another big name from South Jersey makes the switch. The original Virginia Tech commit made the switch to Rutgers. Projected as a linebacker in college, Powell played quarterback showing off his athleticism in his senior season at Vineland:

Greg Schiano at JSZ Football Banquet

Watch coverage of Greg Schiano’s visit to the JSZ Football Banquet including reaction from high school coaches in the Garden State along with Schiano’s message to the top players in the state: