Rutgers Football Recruiting: Scarlet Knights Land Penn State Transfer Jamil Pollard

Turns out Rutgers wasn't quite finished recruiting for the Class of 2012. Jamil Pollard signed with Penn State in February over Boston College and the Scarlet Knights. In the wake of heavy NCAA sanctions levied on the Nittany Lions, the touted defensive tackle out of West Deptford High School in New Jersey has decided to transfer to Rutgers, according to reports.

Pollard's high school coach Clyde Folsom explained the decision.

"We spoke last week when the penalties became public at Penn State," said Folsom. "He wasn't sure what he wanted to do, he wasn't in the right state of mind at the time to really make a decision. But over a 48-hour period there were six or seven Division I schools that were interested in bringing him in on scholarship.

"But the only school he would have left for is Rutgers, he made that point very clear. From the very beginning of it, he said, ‘The only school I'll leave for is Rutgers.' They were able to offer him (a scholarship) and he accepted."

Pollard will be eligible to play as a true freshman with Rutgers, with the NCAA waiving the provision forcing transfers to sit out one season before joining their new teams. Pollard was ranked as the No. 20 defensive tackle in his class, and a four-star prospect by Rivals.com.

For more on Rutgers football recruiting, check out this SB Nation New York StoryStream and the SB Nation blog On The Banks.