During his introductory press conference Tuesday, Rutgers football coach Kyle Flood was asked by one reporter for an update on recruiting target Darius Hamilton, the son of former Giants All-Pro Keith Hamilton.
Flood wasn’t thrown off by the question, and accurately said he couldn’t comment on unsigned players.
“I can’t comment on that until [Wednesday] but I’m looking forward to commenting on it,” Flood said.
During his National Signing Day press conference on SNY Wednesday, Flood will be able to praise the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Hamilton all he wants.
The No. 2 strongside defensive lineman in the Class of 2012, Hamilton chose Rutgers Tuesday night over Miami. He can sign Wednesday.
“It’s a huge relief,” Hamilton told MSG Varsity.
“I knew in my heart where I wanted to be. This was really cool to do it like we did. I tried to keep people guessing with my color schemes.”
Once Greg Schiano left Rutgers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hamilton’s future seemed in doubt.
Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti huddled with Flood about the recruiting situation after Schiano departed.
“When we talked about it last Thursday and I asked him to step in as interim head coach, he said I think we need to put you on the staff and have you sit down with recruits and their families and explain what’s going on,” Pernetti said. “Initially, I didn’t think much about it, but it was the best thing I could have done because I was hearing on the other side what’s important to this great class we put together.”
Don Bosco coach Greg Toal praised Pernetti for communicating directly with the top high school coaches.
“He’s really done a great job and they’ve been on top of it,” Toal said.
Still, as of Tuesday morning, Toal wasn’t sure where Hamilton would go.
Now that he’s decided, Toal believes he will make a huge impact.
“I think he can be a great player, there’s no question,” said Toal, whose team won the USA Today national championship last season for a second time. “I think he’s smart. I think he’s a hard worker. He’s got everything it takes to be successful.”
And Flood has the first recruiting coup of his short tenure.
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