Early signing day 2020: Top N.J. high school football recruit storylines to follow Wednesday - NJ.com

The day has almost arrived. The early signing period is just hours away and New Jersey’s top high school football recruits will sign to colleges across the country -- the first step of the rest of their lives. Some have yet to pick to schools but will sign somewhere this week. Others have pledged to schools but won’t sign, creating an opening for competing schools. Others have decommitted or been dropped and are reshuffling the deck. Some will not just sign, but enroll early. While others won’t sign until February. Presenting NJ Advance Media’s early signing day update for the ’21 class.

The majority of N.J.’s top seniors have committed and are expected to sign to those schools on Wednesday. But some situations aren’t as cut and dry. Here are the state’s top ongoing recruiting stories heading into Wednesday’s national spectacle.

Tywone Malone, 6-4, 305-pound 4-star DL, Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.): N.J’s top football recruit’s finalists include Rutgers, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida State, Texas A&M and USC, but he won’t sign until February. He intends to visit each school unofficially before making his pick.

Penn State recruit Tywone Malone visits for the Purdue game on Oct. 5, 2019. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Audric Estime, 6-0, 225-pound 4-star RB, St. Joseph (Mont.): Estime is a Michigan State pledge, but his recruitment is more of a three-team race between the Spartans, Notre Dame and Rutgers, where ex-coach Augie Hoffmann now coaches running backs. The Fighting Irish offered on Monday increasing the odds he could sign this week, and hurting Rutgers’ chances. Prior to the offer, he planned to sign in February, which was thought would help Rutgers. But, we’ll see.

St. Joseph (Mont.)'s Audric Estime (2) sails into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter of the St. Joseph (Mont.) vs. Cherokee football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020.Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media

Geno VanDeMark, 6-5, 300-pound 4-star OL, St. Joseph (Mont.): A Michigan State commit, Spartans fans will be watching closely to see if N.J.’s top offensive lineman signs on Wednesday or holds off until February, giving other schools a chance. VanDeMark is a big dancing bear who’s tools project best to strong-side guard or tackle. He’s big, light on his feet, is competitive and a hard worker who always strives to improve. He should be an impact player at the Power 5 level.

VanDeMark is approaching a national recruitment. (Photo courtesy of VanDeMark)

George Rooks, 6-4, 260-pound 4-star DL, St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.): Rooks has over 20 offers, but most analysts feel his recruitment comes down to Boston College and Michigan, and to a lesser extent, Penn State. But, we’ll see. It’s unclear if he will sign this week or take things all the way to February. Attempts to reach the four-star recruit Tuesday were unsuccessful.

George Rooks (55) of St. Peter's Prep tries to get to Seton Hall Prep quarterback Jaden Craig (1) as he's blocked by John Donnelly (79) during the football game between No. 1 St. Peter's Prep and Seton Hall Prep at Kelly Athletic Complex in West Orange, NJ on Monday, November 23, 2020. The Pirates shocked the Marauders 26-25 in overtime.Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media

Patrick “Cheeks” Smith, 5-10, 185-pound 3-star RB, Holy Spirit (Absecon, N.J.): Smith is South Jersey’s undisputed top back in 2020 -- 1,719 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 225 carries in seven games. He’ll sign in February after decommitting from Colorado State following a hot start to the year and offer from Vanderbilt on Oct. 29.

Smith knows what he wants in a school -- the early signing period is just a month away: “A place where I can make an impact immediately; somewhere most beneficial to my family and I,” he said. “(I want to go) somewhere I will feel comfortable in all aspects and succeed on and off the field.”

Camron McNair, 6-5, 315-pound 3-star OL, Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.): The all-state offensive tackle will choose between Maine, Holy Cross, Long Island University and Fordham on Wednesday. He earned offers from West Virginia, Pitt, Buffalo and the prior Rutgers staff as a junior. He’s a massive space-eating offensive lineman who is light on his feet and has Power 5 upside. The team he picks Wednesday will be lucky to get him.

Jaden Allen, 6-4, 225-pound 2-star TE, Washington Township: Allen decommitted from Utah State on Sunday following a staff change and upheaval within the program due to discrimination claims. He’s been in contact with over a dozen schools since then, earned a Fordham offer, and re-offers from Delaware State and Bryant. Rutgers is also taking a look.

Corey Palmer, 6-1, 180-pound 3-star WR, Camden: Palmer, arguably Camden’s most consistent star this year, pledged to Temple on Tuesday afternoon. He’s been in talks with coaches at Temple and Fran Brown at Rutgers. He had been weighing signing to Temple and enrolling in January against seeing what materializes with Rutgers once the dust settles. But, for now, it appears he’s an Owl.

Rakim Cooper, 6-3, 280-pound 3-star OL, Mater Dei (Holmdel, N.J.): Cooper decommitted from Temple on Dec. 11 after being an Owl for five months. He’s since been in talks with coaches from Coastal Carolina, Kent State and Syracuse, and could sign as soon as this week. However, he may also wait until February unless the right opportunity presents itself.

Cooper held early offers from the prior Rutgers staff and coaches from West Virginia, Buffalo and Central Michigan, but he’s no longer involved with those schools. He was an All-Shore second-team pick as a senior in 2020. He played left tackle and defensive tackle at Mater Dei, but projects to offensive guard or defensive tackle in college.

Christian Abraham, 5-11, 200-pound 3-star DB, St. Joseph (Mont.): Abraham also decommitted from Temple -- during the season on Oct. 27 -- and was offered by Duquesne on Dec. 3. He received Power 5 offers from Virginia Tech, Boston College, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pitt, Syracuse and Virginia his sophomore year, but those slots are full. He’s not expected to sign Wednesday.

Other notable recruits who won’t sign early (NJ Advance Media confirmed with these players that they won’t be signing national letters of intent this week.)

Andrew Butler, QB, DePaul - Preferred walk-on opportunities from Boston College and Lehigh, and an LIU offer; Miles Mitchell, LB, Paramus Catholic - Holds offers from Fordham, Navy, Bryant and Central Michigan; Michael Rhodes, DE, Ocean City - Underrated prospect with FBS upside being recruited to play DE, TE and OT; Jahmir Dooley, ATH, West Side - Holds Kent State and UMass offers; Corey Walker, LB, West Side - Physical linebacker/fullback and brother of UMass QB Zamar Wise; Jayon Carter, RB, Penns Grove - Speaks mostly with coaches from Sacred Heart and Marist

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Todderick Hunt may be reached at thunt@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.

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