Rutgers landed its second commitment of the 2007 recruiting season this week, staying in-state for cornerback Al-Majid Hutchins. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder committed to the Scarlet Knights over interest from schools including Connecticut, Duke, Iowa, Michigan State, North Carolina and others.

"This was a dream come true," he said. "I've grown up a fan of Rutgers and watching them play when I was in little league football. I even went to some of their games and to me it just felt like I was at home. I felt comfortable with everything there including the school, coaches and my family members liked it too."

In particular, Hutchins liked the coaches including Greg Schiano and John McNulty.

"I had a lot of conversations with both of them and coach Schiano basically told me he doesn't want me to base my decision on the schools. Instead he told me to go where I feel comfortable and that is what I did," he said. "I liked him also because he kept it real with me. He wasn't just trying to recruit me to get me there, he wanted me to like where I was going.

"As for coach McNulty, he was my recruiting coordinator and I spent most of my time with him. He showed me around the school and I felt like I had a good relationship with him."

The future criminal justice major is relieved to have a decision behind him.

"It is a lot of pressure off of me," he said. "Now I have all this school stuff out of the way and I can focus on football this season. I really want to work on my quickness and ball handling skills because the coaches have told me I have a shot to compete for playing time immediately."

Overall Hutchins is happy with his choice.

"I'm very excited and I know my parents are too. I know Rutgers is a good school and I can't wait to get there," he said. "I plan to work hard and make plays to help them to a national championship."

The cornerback prospect plans to be in Piscataway this summer for the seven-on-seven shootout along with two summer camp sessions.