National Signing Day 2012: How Darius Hamilton to Rutgers Affects Commitments

Rutgers has been on quite a roller coaster ride in the last week. Only a few days before national signing day, the Scarlet Knights lost head coach Greg Schiano to the NFL, then officially hired Kyle Flood as his replacement yesterday and ultimately landed their most-heralded recruit ever just last night.

Not only is Darius Hamilton one of the top recruits in the country, but he played his high school ball in Ramsey, New Jersey at Don Bosco Prep. This is a huge boost not only for the Rutgers 2012 class, but the future as well.

Without Schiano, many believed the Scarlet Knights' well-respected class would disappear. There has been plenty of talk, but Hamilton's commitment is exactly the type of ringing endorsement new coach Kyle Flood needed.

More importantly, it is the type of endorsement the program needed.

Hamilton chose Rutgers over Miami, a school that has made a huge push in recent weeks. Along with Hamilton, consensus 4-Star offensive tackle Avery Young and Rivals and Scout 5-Star cornerback Tracy Howard, both Florida natives, have visited the Hurricanes in recent weeks.

A number of SEC powers including Georgia, Florida, Auburn and Alabama are after Young while Howard is high on the in-state Gators and Seminoles.

Although Darius Hamilton's decision won't affect the two Florida prospects very much, it does set an example for other top prospects still considering Rutgers in the Northeast.

With Schiano now coaching in the NFL, the Scarlet Knights lose the pipeline he's established down in Sunshine State. Hamilton staying close to home was more important than ever.

Rivals pegs Rutgers with four 4-Star recruits and 12 3-Star recruits committed in their 2012 class. When Schiano left, many expected that to fall apart with some of the nation's recruiting powerhouses trolling like sharks with blood in the water.

Now Rutgers has a player to hang their hat on and a legitimate chance at defending itself.

A national feeding frenzy on Rutgers commits was expected, but Darius Hamilton may have already made his first game-saving tackle for the Scarlet Knights.