With just two games left in a losing 2016 season, many Rutgers football fans are looking at a strong 2017 recruiting class as a sign of better days to come. Unfortunately, it seems there will continue to be some bumps in the road to officially signing one of the best recruiting class in Rutgers Football’s recent history. After the loss of fellow NJ running back Jonathan Taylor earlier this season, another 3-star recruit has decommitted from the program. East No. 12 running back Johnathan Lovett decommitted from Rutgers today after watching the Iowa Hawkeyes take down the then #3 Michigan Wolverines this weekend.

Please see his official tweet below:

No interviews at this time pic.twitter.com/yMHCpmgn03 — JLove (@_jlovett7) November 15, 2016

Marlton, NJ native Lovett originally committed to Rutgers on June 27th after praising Chris Ash’s changes to the program and stating his desire to represent his home state. At the time, he said it was “the offer I’ve been waiting for.” It seems, however; that recent visits to #10 Penn State and Iowa have piqued his interest and caused him to reconsider his scholarship options. Lovett’s visits to Penn State and Iowa coincided with major upsets for both programs, as the Nittany Lions beat #2 Ohio State in a surprising victory during his time in Happy Valley.

It is too soon to determine to which program Lovett will commit as he currently has offers from Penn State, Iowa, Maryland, Temple, Old Dominion, Boston College, and Monmouth University. His only official visits have been to Iowa and Maryland, although he did tweet about his visit to Penn State, saying he was “blessed to receive an offer.”

Beyond Blessed to receive an offer from Penn State University ⚪️#AllGloryToGod pic.twitter.com/CGT8BCGCty — JLove (@_jlovett7) October 25, 2016

While it upsetting to lose another top-rated recruit, 4-star recruits Bo Melton (WR), Micah Clark (OT), and Tyshon Fogg (OLB) remain committed to the program. NJ native Jonathan Lewis (QB) has been vocal in his support of the program, and his desire to keep the current recruiting class together. As we close out the season, Ash and company have continued to reiterate their commitment to recruiting, and have even coined the term “fencing the garden” in reference to keeping local talent. Keep the faith, Rutgers fans. Even with the loss of Lovett, 247 Sports still ranks the current recruiting class 29th in the country and 7th in the Big Ten.

Here’s to continuing #TheHunt for top-tier talent as we look towards National Signing Day on February 1st.