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http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20120201/NJSPORTS0110/302010050/South-Brunswick-s-Tyree-commits-Rutgers
A whirlwind recruiting process for South Brunswick High School defensive back Jevon Tyree culminated with an unexpected 11th-hour scholarship offer from Rutgers University on Wednesday morning.
Tyree, the cousin of former Giants Super Bowl hero David Tyree, joined three other area players in signing a National Letter of Intent with the Scarlet Knights on Wednesday.
Running back Delon Stephenson of Sayreville, the Home News Tribune’s 2010 Offensive Player of the Year, will also play at Rutgers, along with wideouts Carlton Agudosi of Franklin and Ruhann Peele of Linden.
Nine more area players also cemented their commitments in writing with other schools across the country, the most notable being Franklin running back Kye Morgan, who signed with the University of Virginia.
South Brunswick coach Rick Mantz said Rutgers special teams coordinator Robb Smith called him late Tuesday night to gauge Tyree’s interest in the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood followed up with a call to Mantz Wednesday morning, offering Tyree a scholarship. Mantz pulled Tyree out of class, told him about the offer, drove to Rutgers to pick up the National Letter of Intent and brought it back for Tyree to sign.
Mantz said Tyree had early offers from Penn State, Wisconsin, Maryland, Connecticut, Boston College, Georgia Tech and others.
“The whole world was coming through and he kind of wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, and he kind of delayed and went through the process and a lot of schools were filling up (their commitments), which happens,” Mantz said.
“A lot of schools were in the hunt late and he was kind of sorting through it. At the end of the day, he’s happy. I think Rutgers is a great choice for him, and I think he realized that, too. I think Rutgers is happy because they are getting a heck of a player.”
Tyree’s teammate, fullback Darrell Harper, will join Piscataway defensive back Kendall Marks at the University of New Haven.
Marks was one of five Chiefs to sign a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday. Piscataway offensive lineman Ryan James (Lehigh), wideout Tajae Sharpe (UMass), defensive lineman Damien Stevens (Fordham) and defensive end Jonathan Kinslow (Marrion College) also signed.
Bishop Ahr wideout/defensive back Roger Kilgore (Yale) and North Brunswick defensive lineman Ian McGeary (Princeton) will continue their careers in the Ivy league.
Defensive lineman Will Palmer of St. Joseph, coming off its first full varsity season, and offensive lineman Ramy Kased of Old Bridge signed with Coastal Carolina and Bucknell, respectively.
Greg Tufaro: gtufaro@njpressmedia.com
