Rutgers Football: The Top 4 Defensive Recruits the Knights Are Still Pursuing

While they have recently secured defensive end Kemoko Turay and outside linebacker Nick Internicola for the defensive squad of 2013, the Scarlet Knights are continuing their efforts to secure elite talent during the 2012 recruiting season.

There are still a number of offensive players that the Knights are pursuing, but they are currently still courting several 4- and 5-star defensive players. The best of those still being recruited are:

Kendall Fuller (CB)

Rated as a 5-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com, Fuller is 6'0" and 185 lbs. A well-rounded athlete, Fuller also played some at WR, amassing 526 yards and five touchdowns as a junior at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. 

Pursued by 23 colleges, Fuller has yet to visit any of them, but he appears to have the most interest in Clemson, Michigan and Virginia Tech. While Rutgers has made an offer to Fuller, his interest level in the Scarlet Knights has been categorized as ranging from "none" to "medium." Also in the mix for his services are Tennessee, Florida and Oklahoma.

Al-Quadin Muhammad (DE)

Assessed as a 4-star talent by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, Muhammad plays at Don Bosco Prep School, which has been a steady pipeline to Rutgers in recent years. Ranked as the seventh-best at his position in the nation, Muhammad's interest in the Scarlet Knights is described as "medium." 

Offers to Muhammad have been made by eight teams, including Rutgers, Notre Dame and South Carolina. Brian Dohn of Scout.com evaluates Muhammad as: "quick off the ball, plays with speed, changes direction well, is athletic, has length and plays at a high rate."

Jayron Kearse (OLB)

According to Chad Simmons of Scout.com, this 4-star prospect is a "versatile athlete." Assessed as a "very rangy linebacker that moves with ease," Simmons feels that Kearse "will need to learn the position."

At 6'4" and 205 lbs, Kearse also plays wide receiver, running the 40 in 4.45 seconds. Currently entering his senior year at South Fort Myers High School, Kearse's interest in Rutgers is evaluated as "low" at this time, but even schools like Auburn, USC and Clemson rate at no higher than "medium" interest, according to Scout.com.

Nadir Barnwell  (CB)

Considering that Barnwell goes to high school in the same town that Rutgers has its main campus, the Scarlet Knights should have a distinct "home" advantage in securing this 4-star talent. 

At 5'11", 180 lbs, Barnwell is reportedly heavily targeted by Penn State (via BlueWhiteIllustrated.com), with offers from Michigan State, West Virginia and Notre Dame, among others.

Rutgers' recruit count for 2013 currently stands at 14 players who have given a verbal promise to join the Scarlet Knights.