NYs Laryea joins Scarlet Knights

Rutgers nabbed their fourth commitment of the season when fullback Edmond Laryea out of Staten Island (N.Y.) Tottenville committed to the Scarlet Knights.

The 5-foot-11, 198-pounder received the offer from Rutgers a week and a half ago, but visited them on Wednesday and came away impressed.

"The school alone impressed me, especially the fact that they graduate so many players," he said. "They are close to home and it's a very good education. That is pretty much what got me. My parents like it and my family will get to see me play. I also just love the school too and the coaching staff and players made me very comfortable and it's a good atmosphere. Those are the main reasons for me committing."

Laryea told coach Schiano about his decision yesterday.

"They were really excited about it and they were looking forward to that," he said. "Coach Schiano told me I'm the kind of guy they wanted for the future. Coach Flood said he's glad a guy from New York committed to Rutgers because they are trying to get those guys to stay home."

The future Architecture major chose Rutgers over interest from Boston College, Syracuse, Virginia and Delaware.

"Rutgers really showed they were interested in me," he said. "I wanted to be somewhere they want me and I've got a chance to play and help the program. Rutgers wanted me after I had a good year as a junior. A lot of schools will come around when you're great, but Rutgers was there when I just was having a good season."

In high school Laryea has played running back and linebacker, but Rutgers is looking at him playing fullback.

"I'm labeled as a running back, but my style of running is more like a fullback," he said. "They have a great all-american fullback in Brian Leonard and they think he might be leaving early to enter the draft. The coaches think my style of running will adapt to what they do and they like the way I catch and run. I don't go down at the first sign of contact and they think I can replace Leonard."

Next season the fullback prospect is planning to bulk up to prepare for college.

"I'm definitely working on my size," he said. "I'm looking to add a good 20-pounds over the next six or seven months. I also want to cut my 40-time to 4.5-seconds, so that I can get it up to college speed. Finally, I've got to work on my ability to make people miss because I can't just run through everyone in college."

This year Laryea will be keeping a close eye on his new team.

"I'm going to be watching the way Rutgers plays as a team," he said. "I want to see how the coaching staff coaches the team on the field and how they react to the players' mistakes. That'll give me an idea of what I have do and how they'll be able to fix my mistakes when I get there."

Besides rooting for the Scarlet Knights, Laryea is planning to help Rutgers recruit.

"I'm going to try to see about getting other New York guys to commit as well," he said. "Rutgers is a phenomenal school. I've talked to a few players from there and they stay on top of you to go to class. They'll develop you as a player, student and person. That's the great thing about Rutgers and that's what I want everyone to know."

Laryea is looking forward to taking the field for Rutgers.

"I think I can bring character to the team," he said. "I just love football so much and I want to help my team win. I'm going there to just play football and get my degree."

Laryea was named first team all-borough and second team all-city as he ran for 789 yards and eight touchdowns. He added 68 tackles, three sacks and one interception.