Rutgers Football: Four-Star Offensive Lineman J.J. Denman Commits to Rutgers

J.J. Denman, a 6'6", 310-pound offensive lineman has committed to play at his father's alma mater, Rutgers.

In May, Denman had already committed to Penn State, but then, he realized he would have a better shot to make the NFL somewhere else. That somewhere else quickly changed to Wisconsin after he attended the Wisconsin-Indiana football game.

Before Penn State assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Mike McQueary found out about Denman decommiting to Penn State, Denman wrote a blog post online. After McQueary found out, they had a talk about his decommitment. 

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"It wasn't that good," Denman said about the conversation between him and McQueary. "Penn State found out that I was at the Wisconsin-Indiana game and I didn't know I was going to change my mind at that time. But I thought Wisconsin was a better social and athletic fit for me. I feel bad about the Penn State thing. I had to do what I had to do, and I have to do what's best for me. I want to play in the NFL and that's my goal and my dream. The best way to get there, in my opinion, is to go to Wisconsin. I just told coach McQueary I think Wisconsin is a better fit."

Realizing that Wisconsin had lost six assistant coaches, Denman finally found a home with Rutgers filling a needy hole.

"I just felt like it was the best thing for me and my family," Denman told the Inquirer.

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R.J. Dill is also going to play for Rutgers next season after transferring out of Maryland to play in the Big East.

Denman is a flat-out monster and will be able to help Chas Dodd or Gary Nova stand in the pocket and take less sacks, which will then help the two quarterbacks commit less turnovers.

"He is someone who can come in and play right away," said Brian Dohn of ScarletReport.com, which is operated by Scout.com. "He's strong, plays with great pad level and has a great motor. I've never seen someone with as many pancakes in a game as when I saw him."

Like Dill, Denman plays the tackle position and according to scouts has great flexibility and agility, however, he still needs to work on being a better pass blocker.

Rutgers struggled at times to develop a running game last year, but for the upcoming season, they might have found the missing piece in Denman.

Last year was a great recruiting class, but this year, Rutgers' recruiting looks even better, especially with a few new Anthony Davis' added onto the roster.