Greg Schiano’s efforts to retain top-tier talent in New Jersey received a significant boost on Sunday with the commitment of four-star linebacker DJ McClary to Rutgers. McClary, originally pledged to Penn State, opted to stay local and announced his decision via social media. Hailing from Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City, McClary had attracted offers from major programs such as Ohio State, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, and USC, among others.
Ranked 145th overall in ESPN’s 300 and standing as the fourth-best prospect in New Jersey for the Class of 2025, McClary has excelled at Snyder, showcasing his versatility both defensively and offensively. In his junior year, he recorded impressive stats with 95 tackles (15 for loss), two sacks, and a forced fumble. On offense, McClary demonstrated his dual-threat abilities by rushing for 1,420 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also throwing for 795 yards and seven touchdowns.
JERSEY IM STAYING HOME #committed🪓#chop pic.twitter.com/dkAWbDEWr9
— DJ McClary (@tnlDJ_) June 23, 2024
With McClary’s commitment, Rutgers’ 2025 recruiting class now boasts 28 commits, making it the largest in the nation. This class is not only highly ranked nationally but also continues to expand under Schiano’s strategy of prioritizing local talent. Recently, the Scarlet Knights secured commitments from John Forster of St. Joseph Regional and Jaelyne Matthews, the top-rated prospect in their class at the time of his commitment. Additionally, the addition of Donovan Catholic wide receiver Michael Thomas III further bolsters Rutgers’ recruiting efforts.
McClary’s decision underscores Schiano’s successful campaign to solidify Rutgers’ presence with standout prospects in New Jersey, reinforcing the team’s defensive capabilities with another impactful recruit.
