[GoRU]

Rutgers covets Smith- NJ.com

Abdul Smith admits that he takes the bait. He can't help but do internet searches of himself be cause so many results come up. "Crazy," is how he describes the re sults.

There's buzz about the Trenton resident, who has become one of the East Coast's more coveted high school defensive backs while attending Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pa. So many top programs have offered a scholarship for 2009, including Boston College, Penn State, Virginia, Auburn, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, and, most recently this month, Rutgers -- the 23rd school making such an overture.

Smith attended a one-day camp at Rutgers on Monday and said he spent an hour with coach Greg Schiano in his office. Today, the soon-to-be senior will return to campus for an unofficial visit. He lists Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Maryland as his top three schools.

"I want a school with a good business (his intended major) opportunity," Smith said, "a school that I can see playing time possibility as a freshman, a school that I can see myself spending the next four or five years at."

Rutgers is hoping to tap into Smith's Jersey roots. He attended Trenton schools through the eighth grade and before enrolling at Perkiomen School, where he is a boarding student. His father, Manatee Smith, has been involved in football in the capital city.

Rutgers came into the mix late on the 6-foot, 182-pound Smith be cause it only had footage of him playing safety. He's a natural cornerback, though, and that is a position the Scarlet Knights are recruiting heavily. Clocked at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, he has outstanding skills in coverage and deceptive strength. He had 60 tackles and four interceptions as a junior, and has been a playmaker all over the field at quarterback, run ning back and as a returnman.

"I would say my knowledge of the game," is his strength, said Smith, who watches a lot of game film.

"I have raw ability. I just want to improve on my technique for next year."

Scout.com ranks Smith 25th nationally at safety, while Rivals.com ranks him 34th nationally at cornerback.

"It's really amazing," Manatee Smith said. "To meet Joe Paterno, to talk to all these head coaches. He gets 15 pieces of mail a day. It's overwhelming. But, at the same time, it's an experience."

That's why Abdul Smith is reading all about it on the internet.