Rutgers lands South Florida defender

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) University School three-star outside linebacker Nick Internicola made his decision on Tuesday evening.

"I just committed to Rutgers," Internicola said.

A recent visit to check out the Scarlet Knights helped to put Kyle Flood's team over the top for his services.

"When I went up there I realized that Rutgers is just a big family and I want to be a part of that family," Internicola said. "Everybody loves each other. It is a great environment to be around. I want to be a part of a National Championship team.

"They just had everything I was looking for," Internicola added. "All of the coaches up there are great. It is like a big family like I said before. They have one goal and that goal is to win the National Championship and everybody is in the same boat. Everybody is determined to do that. That is something I loved about them."

A pair of assistant coaches played a key role in landing his commitment.

"Coach (Dave) Cohen and then he introduced me to Coach (Jim) Panagos," Internicola said. "They were the main two I dealt with."

When the South Florida defender arrives in New Jersey, he will be moving down and putting his hand in the dirt.

"I will play defensive end there," Internicola said. "I fit how they want to use me and the way their defensive ends play up there. It is just where I best fit in and that is a great position for me."

Internicola chose Rutgers over a dozen other offers and he doesn't intend to entertain any of those schools any longer.

"I am completely done," Internicola said.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defender is set to enroll at Rutgers next summer.