Rutgers signs three prospects

The Rutgers football program added its first prospects to the 2008 recruiting class by announcing the signing of offensive lineman Art Forst (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan HS), quarterback Steve Shimko (Ewing, N.J./Ewing HS) and wide receiver Keith Stroud (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton HS/Fork Union Military Academy) Tuesday.

Forst and Shimko are early-entry freshmen from high school while Stroud comes to Rutgers after one year of prep school at Fork Union Military Academy. All three players are currently enrolled at Rutgers and will take part in spring practice for the Scarlet Knights in 2008.

Art Forst

Offensive Lineman – 6-8, 290

Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan HS

One of the top offensive line prospects in the country … three-year starter at Manasquan High School … played for the late Vic Kabu at Manasquan … one of the top 250 recruits in the nation according to Rivals.com … rated as the No. 4 prospect in New Jersey and the top offensive lineman in the Garden State by Rivals.com … listed as the No. 20 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com … Scout.com lists Forst as the No. 23 offensive tackle prospect in the nation … part of two Central Jersey Group II State Championship teams at Manasquan as a sophomore and junior, including a perfect 12-0 season in 2006 … finished high school career 29-5 at Manasquan.

Coach Pete Cahill on Forst: “Art is a student of the game. He is a leader by example and one of the most mature young men we have ever had come through at Manasquan High School. Knowing Art and his tremendous work ethic and how much he is looking forward to Rutgers, I can see him doing everything possible to help contribute to the team right away.”

Steve Shimko

Quarterback – 6-5, 210

Ewing, N.J./Ewing HS

One of the top prep quarterbacks in New Jersey … three-year starter for head coach John Bamber at Ewing High School … left Ewing as the school’s all-time leader in career passing yards (3,834) and touchdown passes (45) … set school single-season record with 18 touchdown passes as a junior … threw for 1,347 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior … team finished the year 5-5 and lost in the first round of the Central Jersey Group II state playoffs … excellent all-around athlete who also played basketball and led squad to sectional title as a junior.

Coach John Bamber on Shimko: “Steve had a big impact on our program and was a proven three-year starter who broke many of our school records. He is a tall quarterback with a strong arm. He is a dedicated worker who I think will have a successful collegiate career at Rutgers.”

Keith Stroud

Wide Receiver – 6-4, 190

Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton HS (Fork Union Military Academy)

Rated the No. 44 prospect nationally among prep school players by Rivals.com … played one season at Fork Union Military Academy for head coach John Schuman … standout prep performer for Vinnie Laino at Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn … caught 38 passes for 680 yards and 12 touchdowns last season at Fork Union … rated as the sixth-best prep school wide receiver in the country by Rivals.com … led Fort Hamilton to a 13-0 record as a senior … led team with 41 receptions for 614 yards and seven touchdowns … also recorded one interception on defense for the Tigers.

Coach Schuman on Stroud: “Keith was an elite player for us and made an immediate impact. He is a lanky, physical receiver with good hands and a good vertical. It is very unusual for a player to get 40 receptions on the prep level. Keith is a good kid and is a hard-worker both on the athletic field and in the classroom.”