'09 NJ LB Steve Beauharnais (Rutgers Verbal)

[GoRU]

'09 NJ LB Steve Beauharnais



Outside linebacker
Saddle Brook (NJ) Saddle Brook

Ht: 6-foot-2
Wt: 230 lbs
Forty: 4.87 secs
Vertical: 29 inches
Shuttle: 4.34 secs
Class: 2009 (High School)

ZAGSBLOG: All-Bergen, Passaic Named; Beauharnais to Bosco? ; Pantale Visits Boston College

Speaking of All-Bergen players, we've been hearing rumors that 6-2, 200-pound RB/LB Steve Beauharnais of Saddle Brook might transfer to Don Bosco, winner of 24 straight games and back-to-back Non-Public Group 4 championships.

So, is it true?

"No, that's not true at all," Beauharnais said Saturday. "I don't see myself going to Bosco."

A first-team All-Bergen County selection this season, Beauharnais holds a written scholarship offer from Rutgers and has drawn interest from other schools, including Virginia and Penn State.

He rushed for 1,003 yards and eight TDs this year, while making 78 tackles, three INTs and two sacks.

"As far as being a linebacker was concerned, he has very good vision, runs well to the ball and gets rid of blockers very well," Saddle Brook coach Lou Giele said. "He's just a natural out there as a defensive player."

The Rutgers staff understandably doesn't want Beauharnais to transfer because if he were to go to Bosco and star on another state championship team, how many more offers do you think would coming pouring in?

Instead, if he stays at Saddle Brook for his senior season, he could remain somewhat under the radar, which is probably in the best interests of RU.

Steve Beauharnais, QB/RB/LB Saddle Brook High...

[GoRU]

Greg Schiano gets another verbal for Rutgers football - Rutgers Football - News, training camp updates, blogs, schedule, columns and more - NJ.com

Rutgers' football recruiting class for 2009 grew to 10 players when linebacker Steve Beauharnais of Saddle Brook gave head coach Greg Schiano a verbal commitment tonight, according to rivals.com.

The 6-2, 205-pound Beauharnais, a superior athlete who has run a 4.34 in the 40, also had interest from Penn State and Boston College

[HotMic]

Scout $

6/16

From the Rutgers site. More on the verbal. Steve says he and his family felt comfortable with the school and everything it had to offer. He would like to play MLB, but will go wherever he is needed.

[GoRU]

NorthJersey.com: providing local news, sports and classifieds for Northern New Jersey!

There was never any real recruiting frenzy surrounding Saddle Brook senior Steve Beauharnais. In fact, the only concrete offer he had came from Rutgers last September.

But don’t think for a second that the All-Bergen linebacker was getting anxious when he gave the Scarlet Knights a verbal commitment last week.

“Not at all,” said Beauharnais, who also stars at running back for the Falcons. “This wasn’t a worry or panic move. I’m comfortable with Rutgers, and I just thought the time was right.”

The 6-foot-1 Beauharnais said he’s added about “five good solid pounds” since the end of football season, checking in now at 220 pounds. He’ll be strictly a defensive player in college, and he said the Rutgers’ coaching staff told him he could fit in at any of their three linebacker slots.

“I think it’s good that he made his decision now,” said new Saddle Brook coach Leo Ciappina. “I think that means he’ll play with a little more confidence this fall, a little more relaxed. I think this makes him at ease mentally.”

Ciappina, who first worked with Beauharnais as a pee-wee player, said there is no question his talent is best expressed on defense.

Beauharnais has been a fixture among the North Jersey leaders in tackles since he was a freshman. Last season, he had 78 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions for a Saddle Brook team that finished 4-6.

“My strength is my brain, my head,” said Beauharnais, who is thinking about majoring in political science. “In a certain situation, like, say, second-and-10, I can always narrow down what plays they are going to run. How the quarterback holds the ball over center. Where the running back is looking. I’ve always been able to do that.”

Beauharnais, who said Temple also showed serious interest, said the biggest thing he’ll need to do is adjust to the speed of the college game.

“I have to be able to react well under pressure,” said Beauharnais, who has been a Saddle Brook captain since his sophomore season.