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One Rutgers football recruit is already endearing himself to the people of New Jersey.
On Tuesday, ESPN100 offensive tackle Ja’Elyne Matthews announced his commitment to the Scarlet Knights with a custom pepperoni pizza depicting the university’s logo — which is as Jersey as it gets in all the best ways.
Fans were loving Matthews’ creativity on social media.
“this is real college football,” a user said.
“Only an offensive Linemen would commit by having pepperoni pizza that spells out the school logo. I didn’t know there was any more room to innovate in the commitment sphere. I was wrong,” another laughed. “Awesome.”
“This is the greatest way a recruit has ever announced their college choice,” a fan tweeted.
“I’m worried that the pie is going to slide onto the floor,” NJ.com’s Steve Politi commented.
“if someone commits to cal using top dog as a prop, I think I would actually levitate,” a Golden Bears fan replied.
“This is an all-timer! Toms River is the [heart] of Jersey!!!!!”
Show me a photo more Jersey than this, I’ll wait… @JaelyneMatthew3 @FlavaFraz21 @FrankieEdgar @RFootball pic.twitter.com/Rg9zYrLZh4
— Rutgers Riot Squad (@RURiotSquad) June 11, 2024
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Matthews joins safety Tariq Hayer as the second ESPN100 commit Rutgers has landed this week. It’s been a long time since the Knights have been able to bring this kind of talent to Piscataway.