The Scarlet Knights just pulled off a big coup.
Clearview Regional (Mullica Hill, N.J.) three-star offensive lineman Nick Oliveira committed to Rutgers on Monday night. The 6-5, 285-pound senior was visited at his home by offensive line coach Augie Hoffmann, who sealed the deal. Hoffman visited Oliveira right after new Nebraska running backs coach E.J. Barthel, who once coordinated recruiting at Rutgers, had left.
“Coach Augie talked about how the program is changing around and they need my help. That sold me right there,” Oliveira said on Tuesday morning. “He told me about the amazing facilities they have which I’ve seen in person. Rutgers provides a lot of benefits and it’s close to home.”
Oliveira began talking to coaches from other schools last Sunday when Luke Fickell, formerly The Cincinnati Bearcats head coach, accepted a head coaching role with the Wisconsin Badgers.
“It’s a crazy process,” Oliveira, who was once ranked four-stars (On3.com), said last Tuesday. “We had no idea he was leaving. We didn’t get a phone call from him or anything. It was hectic.
“After that happened, I knew I had to check on my other options. We didn’t know which coaches would stay at Cincinnati. I put the heartbreak emoji on Twitter and coaches started hitting me up. So, I was like, we might as well reopen my recruitment but stay committed pending what happens.”
Rutgers was always where Oliveira wanted to be, but Greg Schiano was transparent about wanting to evaluate Oliveira’s senior film before offering.
“I’ve always liked Rutgers. I’ve always been in contact with Rutgers since they are the home school,” Oliveira said last week. “I visited a couple times. Then, last night I get a call from coach Schiano, and it was the biggest surprise. It was amazing.”
A member of the NJ.com Top 50, Oliveira’s on-field jump and Rutgers’ struggles up front berthed a new opportunity for both parties. Fickell leaving town set things in motion.
“Coach Schiano told me I’m a completely different player now and I played with an edge this year,” Oliveira said. “He told me I had a committable offer and if I wanted to commit right then and there, I could.”
Oliveira, who says he will only visit Rutgers, has made technical strides which should eventually help Rutgers move the ball.
“Last year, I had no idea how to pass set,” Oliveira said. “This year, I went to all the camps and figured it out. I was also way more conditioned and a lot bigger and stronger.”
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Rutgers beat out Maryland, Nebraska, Penn State, Pitt and other Power Five schools to land Oliveira, who had become one of the hottest high school football recruits on the market over the last two weeks.
Oliveira hails from a Brazilian family — the sole American-born member. He began playing football at Clearview during his freshman year and has loved it ever since. The senior went from “zero pancakes my sophomore year to breaking my school’s record” as a junior.
Oliveira put the exclamation point on his high school career this fall after adding size. He finished blocks and played with a chip on his shoulder all year despite his team going 1-8.
He’ll now ascend one hour north up the NJ Turnpike to Piscataway, not 10 hours west to Cincy, in January and enroll early. Oliveira will officially visit Rutgers with some of his fellow commits, as well as other high school seniors who Rutgers prioritizes and can get on campus, on Dec. 16. He will sign to Rutgers five days later on Dec. 21.
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-The NJ.com Top 50, Sept. 2022
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Todderick Hunt may be reached at thunt@njadvancemedia.com.
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