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Rutgers OT Ja'Elyne Matthews makes his commitment known with a pizza announcement featuring the team logo
In a distinctive and memorable commitment ceremony, Rutgers football prospect Ja'Elyne Matthews chose an unconventional yet quintessentially Jersey method to announce he will join the Scarlet Knights. The five-star OT showed his devotion by gifting out-of-the-box a pepperoni pizza that was custom-designed with the Rutgers logo.
Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 330 pounds, Matthews, an ESPN100 prospect, surprised many by selecting Rutgers over programs like Georgia, Tennessee and Miami. This announcement happened at his high school on Tuesday, where he sat before a table displaying caps from his top choices.
Former MLB star and Rutgers alum Todd Frazier and UFC legend Frankie Edgar were also there. Frazier opened the box, unveiling a pizza with pepperoni arranged to depict the Rutgers logo. Matthews then donned a Scarlet Knights cap, confirming his commitment.
As a junior in 2023, Matthews played offensive and defensive lines, amassing 79 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss (TFL) and 4.5 sacks. His freshman year in 2021 was equally impressive, with 45 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks and one fumble recovery.
Matthews' decision bolsters Rutgers' 2025 recruiting class, marking the 22nd addition. This class has seen significant growth, with 13 prospects committing in the last two weeks alone. Matthews joins six other offensive linemen and six fellow New Jersey recruits.
Matthews had offers from notable programs like Michigan, Penn State, Texas, Ohio State, Florida State and Wisconsin, highlighting the importance of his commitment to Rutgers. This marks the 14th commitment for Rutgers in June and the 22nd overall for their 2025 recruiting class.
Rutgers ranks 8th nationally and 3rd in the Big Ten for the 2025 recruiting class. Matthews also follows safety Tariq Hayer as the second ESPN100 commit to join the Scarlet Knights this week.
Ja'Elyne Matthews chooses Rutgers, highlighting strong bonds and hometown pride
Ja'Elyne Matthews's decision was heavily influenced by his close relationships with head coach Greg Schiano and special assistant Joe Susan.
"Definitely the relationship I've built with Coach Schiano since seventh or eighth grade helped make this decision," Matthews told Rivals. "Coach Schiano, he's definitely like a father figure to me. Coach Susan, he started my recruitment in seventh or eighth grade year — he was the first one to offer me."
During tough personal times in his sophomore and junior years, Schiano's support solidified Matthews' trust:
"He told me, 'I got you.'... And I was willing to take the risk and I was like, I trust your 'I got you.'"
Staying in his home state was a major factor for Matthews, who aspires to be a "hometown hero."
"I'm ready to play for the home state and be a hometown hero," he said. "A lot of people weren't expecting this, but I'm ready to go out there and compete for not just a bowl game, but a national championship, and make Rutgers great again."
Matthews took an official visit to Rutgers from May 31 through June 2, his only official visit. Despite being previously committed to Penn State, he chose the Scarlet Knights due to his bond with Rutgers' coaching staff and the desire to represent NJ.
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