It appears that Rutgers' new coaching staff has Michigan's attention.

The assistants hired recently by new coach Chris Ash have engaged in a social media blitz. New wide receivers coach Zak Kuhr has led the charge, starting a "Fence the Garden" hashtag in reference to the staff's intention to keep New Jersey's top recruits home.

Attention all NJ top prospects, Rutgers Faithfuls & ALL JERSEYANS world wide!!! Please read below!!! #FenceTheGarden pic.twitter.com/5LbuYAmRrG — Zak Kuhr (@TXSTcoachK) December 30, 2015

The hashtag has quickly become popular among Rutgers fans -- and apparently drawn the attention of the Michigan coaching staff, most notably director of player personnel Chris Partridge.

The former Paramus Catholic coach, Partridge has been on Michigan's recruiting staff for the past year. Partridge, who was temporarily promoted to linebackers coach for Michigan's bowl game, has been at the forefront of the program's concentrated recruiting efforts in New Jersey.

"I take a lot of pride in New Jersey and New Jersey football," Partridge told NJ Advance Media last January. "I love all these kids from all these programs. I think it's a hard-nosed type of kid that you have. So I honestly believe the sky is the limit if New Jersey kids stay home. That's a true belief for me. I think it's important. It just seems like Ohio kids want to go to Ohio State. Alabama kids want to go to Alabama. Every state should have that pride and that's what's awesome about college football, how its sectioned out. You've got your national teams that will recruit nationally. But with the core base, you are going to war with your brothers from where you are born. I think that says a lot."

Although Rutgers' new staff lacks New Jersey ties, Ash has said that keeping local talent home is his top priority in recruiting. It will obviously take time for Rutgers, which currently has the 68th-ranked 2016 recruiting class according to Rivals.com, to close the gap on Michigan, which has the No. 3 rated class in the country. But Ash, who was previously the defensive coordinator at Michigan's archrival Ohio State, has already made a first impression that got the Wolverines' attention.

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.