On Dec. 1, 2000, the day he was hired as the youngest active head coach in Division I-A football, Greg Schiano promised to recruit "the state of Rutgers." Less than two years later, the state of college football at Rutgers faces a much brighter future.

Schiano, an energetic 36-year-old, has mined the two best recruiting classes in school history while establishing the rock foundation he plans to build the program on. While the Knights aren’t ready to challenge Miami -- Schiano’s last stop on the assistant coach express -- for the Big East title, they are on the road to respectability.

"I’m excited about the kids we’ve got coming in," Schiano said. "Now our goal is to make sure our third recruiting class is even better than the second."

Schiano, a native of Wyckoff and former star linebacker at Ramapo High School, is a "Jersey guy" through and through, and his commitment to keeping the Garden State’s best players at home is already evident. Thirteen of the 21 players in his first class, which many considered to be of Top 50 quality, were from New Jersey. His second class counted 10 players from New Jersey, including the state’s top-ranked player, and 10 from Florida among its 23 members. Almost every recruiting guru placed this group among the top 30 in the nation.

One of the keys to Rutgers’ recruiting success has been the tireless effort of Schiano and his staff to deliver on another campaign promise. When he was hired, Schiano said either he or a member of his staff would visit every football-playing New Jersey high school every spring. So far, he is two for two and the partnerships he has brokered in his home state will only pay off more down the road.

The opportunity to compete for playing time right away and Schiano’s commitment to staying at Rutgers and building something special are other selling points. A snowball effect is also starting to develop. Top players know they won’t be alone if they commit to the Scarlet Knights.

While the future looks extremely bright, there are still many challenges to face for a program that has lost its last 15 Big East games and 22 of its last 23.

Schiano certainly didn’t plan on starting a freshman at quarterback every game during his first season, but when Ryan Cubit won the job in preseason camp and projected starter Chad Schwenk left the team four days before the opener, he didn’t have much choice. Sophomore Cubit (6-3, 195), the son of Rutgers offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill Cubit, did about as well as could be expected considering the circumstances.

"His maturity and his toughness are the two biggest things that stood out," Schiano said.

One of only seven freshmen to start a game in the 10-year history of the Big East, Cubit took his share of lumps while adjusting to the college game but also set several team records. Cubit threw for 1,433 yards to break the passing yardage record set by Mike McMahon, now of the Detroit Lions, in 1997. He also set Rutgers freshman records for completions (120), attempts (268) and touchdowns (9).

Cubit is backed up by senior Ted Trump (6-2, 215) and sophomore Chris Baker (6-4, 200). Trump, a former baseball player at Rutgers, has limited college football experience. He walked on to the team in 2000, and made his college debut against national champion Miami last Sept. 8. Trump played in six games, completing 7-of-12 passes for 60 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

Two more quarterbacks will be added to the mix when freshmen Anthony Cali (6-4, 205) and Ryan Hart (6-2, 195) join the Scarlet Knights in August. Cali was one of the top signal-callers in New Jersey the last two years and threw for 1,826 yards and 19 touchdowns in his senior season at Northern Burlington High School. Hart, of Coral Springs, Fla., was ranked among the top 100 seniors in the Sunshine State and led Cardinal Gibbons High School to an 8-3 record while throwing for 1,626 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior.

The Scarlet Knights enjoyed a spirited competition between sophomores Marcus Jones and Clarence Pittman , a pair of Florida natives, in the spring, and the battle for the starting tailback job will continue into summer camp.

"It’s encouraging, but there’s not much experience," Schiano said. "We think both of them can be pretty good Big East tailbacks."

Jones (6-0, 195), of St. Augustine, played in nine games and ran for 327 yards and a touchdown as a freshman in 2001. His best games came against West Virginia (105 yards) and Connecticut (89). He also showed some ability as a receiver, catching six passes for 48 yards.

Pittman (5-10, 185), of Miami, practiced but did not play in games as a freshman. He turned heads with the scout team and ran for 77 yards in the spring game.

Another young Floridian, Markis Facyson (5-10, 195) from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, joins the Scarlet Knights as a freshman. Listed as a running back/athlete, he may become a contributor out of the backfield as well.

Junior Ray Pilch (6-3, 215) learned his blocking skills as a tight end and returns at fullback.

These could be the two best positions on the team.

Senior L.J. Smith (6-4, 252), a second-team All-Big East pick last season, has the potential to be one of the nation’s best tight ends. He added 10 pounds of muscle in the off-season after leading the Scarlet Knights with 30 receptions in 2001.

"The thing that I’m most impressed about L.J. is that he worked like a rookie this spring to get better, and that’s key," Schiano said.

Smith, the team’s offensive MVP, totaled 282 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with three touchdowns. A starter since his freshman season, Smith has 90 career catches for 1,074 yards despite playing in three different offenses during his first three seasons.

Junior Ed Jordan (6-3, 222) a converted linebacker, and sophomore Chris Loomis (6-4, 220) are Smith’s main backups. Both were primarily special-teams players last season. Loomis’ only career catch, a 39-yarder, came against Cal in the season finale.

Senior Aaron Martin , the son of former New York Giants defensive end George Martin, leads the group at wide receiver. Martin (6-4, 205) has the size and athleticism to go and get the ball and was Rutgers’ most consistent receiver with 25 catches and three touchdowns last season.

Sophomore Tres Moses (5-10, 180) played in all 11 games as a freshman and finished fourth on the team with 13 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown while earning a spot on The Sporting News’ All-Big East freshman team. Jerry Andre (6-1, 175) also played as a freshman, catching two passes, and should be a more reliable and productive player this fall.

The Knights return four of the five starters from the season finale, but are in need of rapid improvement after allowing 45 sacks and averaging just 2.5 yards per rush last season.

"We’ve made some position changes and we think that will help," Schiano said. "We were so thin last year that we didn’t have much flexibility."

Senior Brian Duffy (6-5, 300) was chosen the team’s top offensive lineman last season after enduring shoulder problems his first two years on campus. Duffy made 10 starts at right tackle before missing the season finale with an injury. He is scheduled to play right guard this fall.

Senior Trohn Carswell (6-5, 288) made the move from defense to left tackle last season and was selected the team’s most improved player. He started six of the last seven games, including the last four.

Senior Marty Pyszczymuka (6-2, 260) and juniors Rich McManis (6-5, 318) and Mike Williamson (6-5, 290) are also projected as starters. Pyszczymka, who moves from left guard to center, received the Frank R. Burns Award from the coaching staff at the close of spring drills for demonstrating "extraordinary mental and physical toughness." Williamson, the top right tackle on the depth chart, received the Mark Mills Second Effort Award, given to the offensive player "who has shown the most improvement during the off-season and spring practice."

Junior Ryan Sands (6-0, 225) was Rutgers’ leading scorer with 26 points, which tells you what kind of season the Scarlet Knights had on offense. Sands won the job last spring and followed through with a respectable season despite his limited opportunities. Sands went 6-for-6 on field goal attempts (with a long of 44) and 8-for-10 on extra points, but he needs to improve his leg strength to become more effective on both kicks and kickoffs.

Upgrading fundamentals will be one of the main points of emphasis for a unit that will be the starting point for any and all progress on this side of the ball.

"The defensive line is the building block to your entire defense," Schiano said. "We have to continue to improve there. That was an area where, as we watched tape in the off-season, that we have to improve fundamentally."

Schiano will have someone with championship experience to help teach the proper technique. Randy Melvin, the defensive line coach for the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, was hired in March to do the same job at Rutgers.

"I really couldn’t ask for a better fit for our young linemen," said Schiano of Melvin, who has coached for 20 years.

Melvin will have a blend of experience and youth to work with.

Senior Greg Pyszczymuka (6-2, 260), Marty’s older brother, has proven to be an unspectacular but solid performer while making 21 starts, including all 11 games in 2001, the last two seasons. A tackle, Pyszczymuka made 25 tackles last season.

Senior Raheem Orr (6-4, 240) will try to pull things all together after an injury-plagued junior season. Orr, who sat out his first two years at Rutgers, won a starting job at defensive end but was limited to seven games because of injuries. When healthy, Orr has the speed and strength to be an effective performer.

Senior Will Burnett (6-4, 275) could be a bit of a wild card. Burnett played as a freshman in 1998 and again in 2000 before tearing an ACL in practice after the sixth game. Burnett, who sacked former Virginia Tech star Michael Vick twice in 2000, has good size and strength and will be a welcome addition if he is able to stay healthy.

Sophomores Alfred Peterson and Ryan Neill should be another year better as defensive ends. Peterson (6-3, 245) burst onto the scene as a freshman, making eight starts and earning Big East All-Freshman accolades from The Sporting News. Peterson registered 56 tackles, including 27 solo, made seven tackles for losses and added three sacks. Neill (6-3, 225) started the final four games as a freshman in 2001 and made 19 tackles, including eight solos. The son of former New York Giants nose tackle Bill Neill, Ryan made a season-high seven tackles in the finale against Cal.

Tackle Davon Clark (6-4, 285), another sophomore, also earned playing time as a freshman. One of just eight rookies to earn a starting nod, he made 26 tackles and a sack and should continue to develop as a steady performer on the inside.

Junior Gary Gibson (6-4, 272) came on strong toward the end of last season and carried his progress over into the spring when he was honored with the Douglas A. Smith Award. The Smith Award is given to a defensive player "who through determination, dedication and hard work has shown the most improvement during the off-season and spring practice."

Competition should also be a factor in increasing the productivity level at linebacker, where several players will push for playing time. Most, however, will be following the lead of senior Gary Brackett.

Brackett (5-11, 220), a former walk-on, was chosen team MVP after leading the team in sacks (four) and tackles for loss (14) last season. The inside linebacker was also second in total tackles with 92 and is one of only three Scarlet Knights to start all 11 games on defense.

Sophomore Brad Cunningham (6-1, 220) and senior Brian Bender (6-2, 228) are strong contenders to start on the outside. Cunningham started the last two games of 2001 and finished fifth on the team with 63 tackles as a freshman. Bender has had his last two seasons ended by injuries, but has veteran experience. Senior Nate Leonard (6-1, 225) has had his promising Rutgers career plagued by injuries, but is back for one more season.

Senior Mitch Davis (6-2, 220) and juniors Jeremy Campbell (6-2, 225) and Brian Hohmann (6-3, 228) also have starting experience.

The good news concerning Shawn Seabrooks is bad news for Rutgers opponents. Seabrooks, the returning starter at free safety, has battled injuries throughout his college career but was finally injury-free in the off-season and last year’s defensive MVP should be primed for his best season yet. Seabrooks (5-10, 190) originally went to Tennessee, but the Paterson, N.J. native transferred back Rutgers in 1999 and has started since 2000.

Senior Nate Colon (5-11, 190) begins his third season as a starter and second as the first-team strong safety. He is coming off a consistent campaign where he made at least eight tackles in eight games. Colon finished the season third on the team with 91 tackles, including a season-high 13 recorded against Boston College.

Seniors DeWayne Thompson (5-9, 185), Tony Berry (6-1, 190) and Brandon Haw (6-0, 180) all return at cornerback, giving Rutgers solid experience in the secondary. Thompson has overcome hamstring, knee and eye injuries throughout his career to remain a productive player.

Junior Nate Jones (5-10, 175) and sophomore Eddie Grimes (6-0, 175) will push the veterans for playing time at corner and sophomore Jarvis Johnson (5-11, 190) provides depth at safety.

Senior Mike Barr offers more evidence to the offensive problems Rutgers suffered through last season. Fortunately for the Scarlet Knights, Barr (6-3, 220) was more than up to his tasks. The special teams MVP set school records with 84 punts for 3,526 yards. Barr averaged a respectable 42.0 yards per kick, third best in the conference, and had 23 kicks of more than 50 yards. He also dropped 19 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, ran 20 yards for a first down against Miami and completed a 15-yard pass for another first down against Virginia Tech.

"We’re very solid with Mike Barr coming back as the punter," Schiano said.

Joe Radigan , a member of the incoming freshman class, will serve as Barr’s understudy. Radigan (6-5, 215), is considered one of the top punting recruits in the East, averaged 43 yards per punt at Hoboken (N.J.) High School.

There is plenty of room to improve here as well as Rutgers ranked 100 in kickoff returns and 110th in punt returns last season. Jones, who averaged 18.3 yards on 37 returns, and Grimes, who averaged 17.6 yards on 11 returns, are back as the kickoff men. Moses, who averaged 8.4 yards, is the top punt returner.

The best way to build a program is to improve the talent level, and Schiano is well on his way. This recruiting class, his second, has received rave reviews across the country but it is a little early to determine whether it’s the fifth-best, 10th-best, 22nd–best or 30th-best in the country.

Let’s just say Schiano stuck to his plan and the Scarlet Knights are going to be better for it. The 23-player class includes 10 players from New Jersey and 10 more from Florida, the two areas where the Scarlet Knights are focusing their attention. This class is built on speed and includes two quarterbacks and six linebackers.

Rutgers will get better, but it will take time.

Improved line play is the key on both sides of the ball, and linemen do not develop overnight. The offense has nowhere to go but up, and should be more productive if the young players follow the examples set by Smith and Martin. Cubit has proven his toughness and will be a team leader despite his youth. If he continues to improve and cuts his turnovers, he can be a productive player. Tailback could eventually become a position of strength with Jones and Tillman.

Melvin was already part of one miracle season with the Patriots last year and Rutgers is looking for some of that magic to rub off on the defensive line. Unfortunately, most great defensive linemen are born, not made, and that position is a season or two away from being a strength. The linebackers, particularly Brackett and the incoming freshmen, should be fun to watch and the secondary has some talent and experience.

If everything goes Rutgers’ way, the Scarlet Knights may have a chance to flirt with .500 but the reasonable expectation for 2002 is about four wins.