Wednesday, the Rutgers football program received its eleventh class of 2017 commitment from Woodrow Wilson (Camden, N.J.) three-star cornerback Edwin Lopez, who revealed his intentions during a 5 p.m. ceremony at his school.

Ranked the No. 31 recruit in the NJ.com Top 50, and New Jersey's top cornerback by Scout.com, the 6-foot, 180-pounder chose the Knights over finalists Boston College, Temple and Tulane.

"It was just the love, man," Lopez told NJ.com. "The whole coaching staff hit me up. They talked to my family and my parents about it and they felt that it's a good move."

Staying home and representing the Garden State was also important to the play-making recruit.

"It was very important," said Lopez, who is close to his mother and two little sisters. "I felt as though that's where people wanted to see me at anyway. It just feels good, man. Every time I get around that area, around that campus, it just feels right."

Lopez is an athlete and could play a number of positions at the FBS level. But the Rutgers staff likes him defensively, and on the outside, where he'll likely start out on dime and nickel packages.

"They definitely told me that they are looking to get me on the field early," said Lopez. "They feel as though they need me."

In March, Lopez revealed to NJ.com that Rutgers was the team recruiting him the hardest, and the school's proactive approach had earned them the top spot in his pecking order.

Lopez had originally planned to make his collegiate decision following his senior football season, but has since decided the time is now.

"They didn't really get to meet father (up until recently)," Lopez said. "So they got to meet my father and he felt as though staying home was the right place to be, and I agreed with him. So that's what it was, and I just got it over with early."

Lopez claims a 3.1 grade point average and plans to major either in mechanical engineering or business management.

N.C. State and Temple were the first two programs to offer, followed by Rutgers (at junior day on Feb. 13.), Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Syracuse and Monmouth.

Woodrow Wilson, a program which over the past few years hadn't made much noise on the recruiting scene, has recently become a hotbed for talent, encompassing a number of potential FBS-caliber recruits.

Realizing iron sharpens iron, the Tigers will take the challenge of scrimmaging some of N.J.'s most talented programs -- including Timber Creek and North Jersey behemoth Paramus Catholic -- this summer in hopes of best preparing themselves for the 2016 season.

Lopez, who was recruited primarily by cornerbacks coach Aaron Henry and wide receivers coach Jafar Williams, joins eight other N.J. prospects that have committed to Rutgers' 2017 class, which now consists of 11 players, overall.

In landing Lopez, Rutgers overcame Temple's close proximity to Wilson and strong business school, Lopez's strong relationship with Boston College defensive backs coach Anthony Campanile (formerly of Rutgers) and Tulane's Wilson connection, aided by head coach Preston Brown being an alumnus there.

Stick with NJ.com as we will have more on Lopez and his commitment to the Scarlet Knights.

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