Big East: Nadir Barnwell
Time to put a little bow on signing day coverage in the Big East. Who fared best? Worst? Read on to find out.
Biggest winner on signing day: There weren't many Big East schools waiting on decisions from ESPN 150 talent on signing day itself, so the big winner has to be Rutgers, for simply finishing with the top recruiting class in the Big East. Again. Rutgers hoped to add a few more players Wednesday, but that did not happen. Still, the Scarlet Knights put together a solid class filled with solid prospects, including four-star quarterback Chris Laviano and cornerback Nadir Barnwell.
Best closer: UConn came on strong in the final few weeks of recruiting, flipping Boston College quarterback commit Tim Boyle, one of the highest-rated players in the class. The Huskies also got a late commitment from three-star receiver Brian Lemelle, who had offers from many other BCS schools. Only one major question mark: Quarterback Richard Lagow, committed since June, has not signed with the Huskies yet.
Biggest surprise: Cincinnati getting four-star tight end Travis Johnson. After Johnson decommitted from Miami, many believe he would end up staying close to home in Tampa and playing for USF. Ultimately, he wanted the opportunity to leave home and ended up with the Bearcats, which continued their recruiting push into Florida, signing 11 from the state.
Who flipped/biggest loss: Louisville wanted to add two more to its class on signing day, but the Cardinals missed on both. ESPN 150 linebacker Jermaine Grace chose Miami over the Cards, and three-star linebacker Lamar Robbins stuck with his pledge to USF. Still, Louisville ended up with five four-star prospects, including two excellent receivers in James Quick and Richard Benjamin.
ESPN RecruitingNation has signing day covered. Follow ESPNU’s coverage, chat with analysts and get breaking news on our Signing Day Live page beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET through 7 p.m. ET. For more on what to expect on signing day, check out the Big East conference breakdown 
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Bold Prediction for the Big East: The conference will continue its descent toward obscurity as fewer high-end prospects consider the Big East an attractive first option.
Cincinnati
Biggest need: The Bearcats need help in the secondary, at receiver and on the defensive line, where they lost anchor Dan Giordano at end.
Biggest recruit: Florida-bred quarterback Tyler Cogswell was recruited to play tight end for the Bearcats. Cincy landed him after Arkansas pulled its offer late.
Connecticut
Biggest need: Seniors Jory Johnson and Sio Moore are gone from the corps of linebackers. Depth is also needed at running back.
Biggest recruit: Outside linebacker Jalen Stevens is a steal for the Huskies, who went into SEC country and found a defensive playmaker who looked at schools from the South to the West.
Houston
Biggest need: The Cougars were young last season at most spots but lose a lot up front on defense, including three of their top four tackles. And they want another quarterback.
Biggest recruit: Joseph Glenn has a typical Texas running back pedigree. He’s productive, quick and he’s got a burst that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Louisville
Biggest need: Star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returns for his junior year, but the Cardinals must find an heir apparent. They need to restock at running back, too.
Biggest recruit: A top athlete from one of the nation’s best prep programs in Charlie Strong’s backyard, receiver James Quick was a necessity for the Cardinals. He had offers from Alabama and Ohio State.
Memphis
Biggest need: The Tigers, moving to the Big East from Conference USA, are looking to replenish the secondary and the offensive line, where they return only six players with experience.
Biggest recruit: Quarterback Brayden Scott, a midterm signee, picked the Tigers over Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee, among others. He has a chance to be the future in Memphis.
Rutgers
Biggest need: The Scarlet Knights boasted plenty of experience at receiver and in the defensive backfield. Not next season.
Biggest recruit: Athlete Nadir Barnwell possesses the skill set that Rutgers will need to stay ahead in the Big East. He’s a difference-maker in the league’s best recruiting class.
South Florida
Biggest need: Under new coach Willie Taggart, the Bulls prioritized finding help at running back, in the secondary and at quarterback after the loss of top recruit Asiantii Woulard.
Biggest recruit: Eric Mayes’ long list of offers illustrates his potential. As a defensive end, he may mark the Bulls’ best athlete since Jason Pierre-Paul.
SMU
Biggest need: Running back Zach Line leaves a big hole for the Mustangs as they shift from Conference USA. Help is also needed up front on defense.
Biggest recruit: Running back Traylon Shead will play immediately out of junior college. He’s big, runs downhill and signed in December.
Temple
Biggest need: The Owls were young at receiver and on the offensive line last season but need depth in both areas. Lots of experience is gone from the secondary.
Biggest recruit: Running back Zaire Williams showed excellent big-play ability in New Jersey and should compete right away for time at the next level.
UCF
Biggest need: A Conference USA transfer, the Golden Knights want bodies on the defensive line and depth at quarterback.
Biggest recruit: Defensive end Seyvon Lowry fills a need and sends a message that UCF can compete for prospects in the Big East and even occasionally beat an SEC team.
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Bold Prediction for the Big East: The conference will continue its descent toward obscurity as fewer high-end prospects consider the Big East an attractive first option.
Cincinnati
Biggest need: The Bearcats need help in the secondary, at receiver and on the defensive line, where they lost anchor Dan Giordano at end.
Biggest recruit: Florida-bred quarterback Tyler Cogswell was recruited to play tight end for the Bearcats. Cincy landed him after Arkansas pulled its offer late.
Connecticut
Biggest need: Seniors Jory Johnson and Sio Moore are gone from the corps of linebackers. Depth is also needed at running back.
Biggest recruit: Outside linebacker Jalen Stevens is a steal for the Huskies, who went into SEC country and found a defensive playmaker who looked at schools from the South to the West.
Houston
Biggest need: The Cougars were young last season at most spots but lose a lot up front on defense, including three of their top four tackles. And they want another quarterback.
Biggest recruit: Joseph Glenn has a typical Texas running back pedigree. He’s productive, quick and he’s got a burst that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Louisville
Biggest need: Star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returns for his junior year, but the Cardinals must find an heir apparent. They need to restock at running back, too.
Biggest recruit: A top athlete from one of the nation’s best prep programs in Charlie Strong’s backyard, receiver James Quick was a necessity for the Cardinals. He had offers from Alabama and Ohio State.
Memphis
Biggest need: The Tigers, moving to the Big East from Conference USA, are looking to replenish the secondary and the offensive line, where they return only six players with experience.
Biggest recruit: Quarterback Brayden Scott, a midterm signee, picked the Tigers over Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee, among others. He has a chance to be the future in Memphis.
Rutgers
Biggest need: The Scarlet Knights boasted plenty of experience at receiver and in the defensive backfield. Not next season.
Biggest recruit: Athlete Nadir Barnwell possesses the skill set that Rutgers will need to stay ahead in the Big East. He’s a difference-maker in the league’s best recruiting class.
South Florida
Biggest need: Under new coach Willie Taggart, the Bulls prioritized finding help at running back, in the secondary and at quarterback after the loss of top recruit Asiantii Woulard.
Biggest recruit: Eric Mayes’ long list of offers illustrates his potential. As a defensive end, he may mark the Bulls’ best athlete since Jason Pierre-Paul.
SMU
Biggest need: Running back Zach Line leaves a big hole for the Mustangs as they shift from Conference USA. Help is also needed up front on defense.
Biggest recruit: Running back Traylon Shead will play immediately out of junior college. He’s big, runs downhill and signed in December.
Temple
Biggest need: The Owls were young at receiver and on the offensive line last season but need depth in both areas. Lots of experience is gone from the secondary.
Biggest recruit: Running back Zaire Williams showed excellent big-play ability in New Jersey and should compete right away for time at the next level.
UCF
Biggest need: A Conference USA transfer, the Golden Knights want bodies on the defensive line and depth at quarterback.
Biggest recruit: Defensive end Seyvon Lowry fills a need and sends a message that UCF can compete for prospects in the Big East and even occasionally beat an SEC team.
Rutgers announced five mid-year enrollees Thursday. All five freshmen are enrolled in classes and will be available to participate in spring practice.
They are:
Laviano and Barnwell are the two best players in the Rutgers recruiting class. Both are featured in the ESPN 300 rankings. Laviano started for four years in high school in Hicksville, N.Y., and is listed the No. 14 pro-style quarterback in the nation.
Barnwell played both quarterback and defensive back at Piscataway High but will focus on defensive back -- a major area of need for the Scarlet Knights.
As for the three other players, Ayres missed his entire senior season with a knee injury. Liston and Stephenson spent last season at prep school.
They are:
- Dontea Ayres, RB
- Nadir Barnwell, DB
- Chris Laviano, QB
- Lestor Liston, LB
- Delon Stephenson, DB
Laviano and Barnwell are the two best players in the Rutgers recruiting class. Both are featured in the ESPN 300 rankings. Laviano started for four years in high school in Hicksville, N.Y., and is listed the No. 14 pro-style quarterback in the nation.
Barnwell played both quarterback and defensive back at Piscataway High but will focus on defensive back -- a major area of need for the Scarlet Knights.
As for the three other players, Ayres missed his entire senior season with a knee injury. Liston and Stephenson spent last season at prep school.
National signing day is in one week. Where do Big East teams stack up in terms of future prospects? Rutgers (35) and Pitt (39) are leading the Big East pack, as they are the only two conference schools to boast top-40 classes, according to ESPN RecruitingNation.
Here's a school-by-school breakdown as the finish line approaches ...
CINCINNATI
Current commitments: 17
Spotlight: Three-star QB Tyler Cogswell (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage). Cogswell "is a big, strong prospect with a live arm. He is not as tall as his listed height [6-5], but he is sturdy and extremely well built for a younger player," according to ESPN's scouting report.
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
CONNECTICUT
Current commitments: 21
Spotlight: Three-star OLB Jalen Stevens (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek). Stevens "is very active defending against the run and pass; lines up with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end and linebacker, 'on and 'off' the line," according to ESPN's scouting report.
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
LOUISVILLE
Current commitments: 16
Spotlight: ESPN 300 WR Richard Benjamin (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech). Benjamin passed up offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State and dozens of others. Per ESPN's scouting report, he "possesses one of the best size/speed combos in this class. He has adequate height with bulk and somewhat of a stocky build and possesses terrific speed and explosiveness."
ESPN 150 commitments: 1
ESPN 300 commitments: 2
PITTSBURGH
Current commitments: 28
Spotlight: ESPN 300 ATH Tyler Boyd (Clairton, Pa./Clairton). A "really gifted athlete with a long, sleek frame and good height," per ESPN's scouting report, Boyd has found himself in the news recently
because of his mother's stance against West Virginia, which has been recruiting Boyd hard as well.
ESPN 150 commitments: 1
ESPN 300 commitments: 2
RUTGERS
Current commitments: 23
Spotlight: ESPN 300 ATH Nadir Barnwell (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway). Barnwell passed up Florida, Georgia, Michigan and several other powerhouses to stay at home. According to ESPN's scouting report, he "is an explosive and speedy prospect who is a dangerous dual-threat QB out of the spread offense, but we believe his future home will be as a cornerback."
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 2
SOUTH FLORIDA
Current commitments: 23
Spotlight: ESPN 300 DE Eric Mayes (Sarasota, Fla./Booker). Mayes "is a potential sleeper with a lot of upside and physical tools to develop. He is a tall, stout defensive lineman who shows production at both defensive end and tackle," according to ESPN's scouting report.
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 1
SYRACUSE
Current commitments: 19
Spotlight: Three-star WR Corey Cooper (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook). Cooper passed on offers from Miami, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and several others. According to ESPN's scouting report, he "is a really savvy prospect that may not wow you with overwhelming physical tools, but he makes plays and is a smart vertical player."
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
TEMPLE
Current commitments: 20
Spotlight: Three-star QB P.J. Walker (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth). Walker, according to ESPN's scouting report, "has a solid build and looks somewhat like a running back. Plays in a shotgun based scheme where he is asked to make a variety of throws to all three levels in the passing game."
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
Here's a school-by-school breakdown as the finish line approaches ...
CINCINNATI
Current commitments: 17
Spotlight: Three-star QB Tyler Cogswell (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage). Cogswell "is a big, strong prospect with a live arm. He is not as tall as his listed height [6-5], but he is sturdy and extremely well built for a younger player," according to ESPN's scouting report.
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
CONNECTICUT
Current commitments: 21
Spotlight: Three-star OLB Jalen Stevens (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek). Stevens "is very active defending against the run and pass; lines up with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end and linebacker, 'on and 'off' the line," according to ESPN's scouting report.
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
LOUISVILLE
Current commitments: 16
Spotlight: ESPN 300 WR Richard Benjamin (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech). Benjamin passed up offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State and dozens of others. Per ESPN's scouting report, he "possesses one of the best size/speed combos in this class. He has adequate height with bulk and somewhat of a stocky build and possesses terrific speed and explosiveness."
ESPN 150 commitments: 1
ESPN 300 commitments: 2
PITTSBURGH
Current commitments: 28
Spotlight: ESPN 300 ATH Tyler Boyd (Clairton, Pa./Clairton). A "really gifted athlete with a long, sleek frame and good height," per ESPN's scouting report, Boyd has found himself in the news recently
because of his mother's stance against West Virginia, which has been recruiting Boyd hard as well.
ESPN 150 commitments: 1
ESPN 300 commitments: 2
RUTGERS
Current commitments: 23
Spotlight: ESPN 300 ATH Nadir Barnwell (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway). Barnwell passed up Florida, Georgia, Michigan and several other powerhouses to stay at home. According to ESPN's scouting report, he "is an explosive and speedy prospect who is a dangerous dual-threat QB out of the spread offense, but we believe his future home will be as a cornerback."
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 2
SOUTH FLORIDA
Current commitments: 23
Spotlight: ESPN 300 DE Eric Mayes (Sarasota, Fla./Booker). Mayes "is a potential sleeper with a lot of upside and physical tools to develop. He is a tall, stout defensive lineman who shows production at both defensive end and tackle," according to ESPN's scouting report.
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 1
SYRACUSE
Current commitments: 19
Spotlight: Three-star WR Corey Cooper (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook). Cooper passed on offers from Miami, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and several others. According to ESPN's scouting report, he "is a really savvy prospect that may not wow you with overwhelming physical tools, but he makes plays and is a smart vertical player."
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
TEMPLE
Current commitments: 20
Spotlight: Three-star QB P.J. Walker (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth). Walker, according to ESPN's scouting report, "has a solid build and looks somewhat like a running back. Plays in a shotgun based scheme where he is asked to make a variety of throws to all three levels in the passing game."
ESPN 150 commitments: 0
ESPN 300 commitments: 0
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
Matt Fortuna
Fortuna joined ESPN.com in 2011 after working for MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, where he covered college sports. He grew up in New York and is a Penn State graduate.
