The Shore Knights: Thomas, Elijah and Matthews will make it official with Rutgers in early signing period

There are only three Shore Conference seniors who are signing with a Power 4 program during the early signing period that starts Wednesday, and they’re all headed to the same place – right home in New Jersey at Rutgers University.

Toms River North two-way lineman Jaelyne Matthews, Donovan Catholic WR/RB/DB Michael Thomas III and Matawan offensive lineman Jayden Elijah will make their commitments to the Scarlet Knights official on Wednesday.

 

NATIONAL SIGNING DAY TOMORROW @11 A.M I CANT WAIT‼️🪓 @RFootball pic.twitter.com/6Mo8qLcjaD

— Michael Thomas III (@DCFutureMT3) December 4, 2024

They are part of a recruiting class that also includes Hillside linebacker Talibi Kaba, Snyder linebacker DJ McClary, Hun School linebacker Kamar Archie, Bergen Catholic offensive lineman Chris Vigna, St. Joe’s-Montvale running back John Forster, Don Bosco Prep cornerback Renick Dorilas and Atlantic City wide receiver Sah’nye Degraffenreidt from the Garden State.

Matthews just saw Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano in person on Nov. 29 when he popped up on the Toms River North sideline during the Mariners’ 41-14 win over Union City in the NJSIAA Group 5 championship at MetLife Stadium. The 6-foot-8, 330-pound lineman was initially committed to Penn State before he reopened his recruitment and went with the Scarlet Knights.

He shared a hug with Schiano before the Mariners went out and captured their third straight Group 5 title to finish undefeated for the second time in three seasons.

“It was amazing,” Matthews said. “That’s my guy. He’s been recruiting me since sixth grade before all this even started. It was like having a family member and even an uncle there.”

Thomas also received a visit of his own from Schiano during the season. The Rutgers head coach landed in a helicopter next to Count Basie Field in Red Bank before Donovan Catholic faced the Caseys on Nov. 1.

“The atmosphere – you knew he was here. You knew it was him,” Thomas said. “Both teams stopped to watch him land the helicopter. I scored a touchdown and gave a little salute, little ‘chop chop’ (gesture), that’s what I’m talking about.”

Schiano’s visit to Thomas came four days after pro-style quarterback Gavin Sidwar announced he was decommitting from the Scarlet Knights, which came on the heels of three-star cornerback Kaylib Singleton from Florida announcing he had decommitted from Rutgers.

“The guys that flipped, it is what it is,” Thomas said. “It’s a business. You see it everywhere.”

Thomas was a versatile athlete for a Griffins squad that finished 2-7 with a young team against a rugged schedule. He said he would like to play receiver, but is open to however Rutgers wants to use him.

“I know as an athlete I can do anything on the field,” he said. “Wherever the coaches put me, I’ll go out there and ball.”

Thomas finished with 592 yards and 8 touchdowns rushing, 23 catches for 228 yards and a touchdown receiving, and 910 all-purpose yards in seven games after missing time with injuries. He also had 33 tackles and an interception in the secondary. His signature game was 278 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 56-32 loss to an undefeated Rumson-Fair Haven team that will play for the Group 2 title on Wednesday.

“Playing for Donovan was a great decision,” Thomas said. “I put the work in, and it worked out. It was a tough year, but I felt like as a team we got through it, and next year is going to be big for them. I’ll be cheering them on.”

Elijah’s Matawan team also ended up 2-7 in his senior season, but the 6-foot-8, 285-pound senior was a bright spot. Elijah, who is also a talented basketball player, has “only scratched the surface” of what he can do on a football field, according to first-year Matawan head coach Matt Walsh.

“I think he has a lot of potential,” Walsh said. “I think he’s got a rare combination of size and athleticism that is uncommon for kids at his age. He does have a little bit of a nasty streak, he has good measurables with long arms and high legs, and he has a good head on his shoulders.”

Walsh, who first coached Elijah in middle school basketball when he was 11, also credited Elijah’s hoops career for helping him with his footwork and running ability. He had offers from Georgia, Tennessee and other schools headed to the College Football Playoff this season, but Walsh said Elijah is very close with his mother and grandmother and wanted to be close to home.

“I think that weighed into the decision,” Walsh said.

He also formed a strong bond with his lead recruiter, Rutgers assistant Charlie Noonan. He is close with Walsh’s old Middletown South teammate, Howard Barbieri, who started as an offensive lineman at Rutgers in 2009-10.

Elijah nearly had his Schiano helicopter moment as well, as the Rutgers coach was supposed to arrive in it for Matawan’s game against Ocean on Oct. 10 but the winds were too strong. He came to the game via car and stood on Matawan’s sideline.

“Just seeing their interaction, it just seemed genuine,” Walsh said about Eljiah and Schiano. “It was great to see. I think he has a bright future there.”

Elijah, Matthews and Thomas will join the long lineage of Shore Conference talents who suited up for the scarlet and black. The Scarlet Knights are 7-5 and headed to a bowl game this season.

“I feel like this class is going to shake Jersey up,” Thomas said. “We’re going to come out and do our thing. Coach said this class can change Rutgers football.”

Scott Stump is a freelance reporter, newsletter writer and editor who first started covering Shore Conference football in 1999 and has covered basketball, baseball and seemingly every other Shore Conference sport at some point. 

You can contact Scott at [email protected]