MaxPreps National Signing Day 2012 Region Wrap: New York/New Jersey

Overall, there were no alarms and no surprises on National Letter of Intent Signing Day in New Jersey and New York – that is, unless you count that Rutgers emerged with its first Top 25 class, ranking No. 23 in our team rankings.

Led by Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) defensive end Darius Hamilton, wide receiver and teammate Leonte Carroo, Linden (N.J.) wide receiver Ruhann Peele and Timber Creek Regional (Erial, N.J.) linebacker Quanzell Lambert, the Scarlet Knights dominated in-state despite the loss of Greg Schiano to the NFL. Although others have been quick to credit new Rutgers coach Kyle Flood and his staff for keeping New Jersey's best and brightest within its borders, Hamilton said there was another reason.

"You don't pick a school for a coach," the state's top recruit told NJ.com.

Boston College also fared well in the Garden State, at least in part because of assistant coach Bill McGovern's ties there. The Eagles signed Don Bosco Prep linebacker Michael Strizak, Haddonfield (N.J.) offensive lineman Jim Cashman, St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) tight end Michael Giacone and Northern Valley Regional (Demarest, N.J.) athlete Dan Crimmins.

Across the border in New York, Syracuse landed the nation's No. 106-ranked recruit, defensive back Wayne Morgan of Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, N.Y.), but two other top recruits got away: No. 22 offensive lineman Jarron Jones of Aquinas Institute (Rochester, N.Y.) inked with Notre Dame, while No. 97 quarterback Chad Kelly of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute (Buffalo, N.Y.) is headed to Clemson.

Juniors to watch

With the hubbub about the Class of 2012 behind us, we now look ahead to next year's group. Piscataway (N.J.) defensive back Nadir Barnwell's early favorites include Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Rutgers. Piscataway has been a pipeline to Rutgers recently, including San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis.

Immaculata (Somerville, N.J.) wide receiver/defensive end Tashawn Bower is on most ACC and Big East wish lists, while the likes of Oklahoma, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Tennessee have made offers.

Also in the Garden State, Wayne Hills (Wayne, N.J.) quarterback Kevin Olsen is following the same path as his older brothers Christian and Greg, the latter a tight end with the Carolina Panthers, as a priority recruit. Both of his brothers originally attended Notre Dame before transferring to Virginia and Miami, respectively. Kevin Olsen currently has 20-plus offers, including Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin.