Shore Regional Quarterback is Part of Monmouth University's Recruiting Haul

It is a skill that usually only gets noticed by football fans when the player screws up, yet it is a major reason why Shore Regional senior Evan Ruane is part of the 2011 recruiting class at Monmouth University that was formally announced during National Signing Day on Wednesday.  

“One of the special things about Evan is that he is an excellent long snapper, one of the better ones that we’ve ever seen,’’ said Monmouth University head coach Kevin Callahan. “That is how he first came on our radar.’’  

While Ruane was mainly known as the starting quarterback and a starting defensive end/linebacker for a Shore Regional team that won its first NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I title since 1997 this past fall, it was that specialized skill that went a long way toward punching his ticket to a college scholarship at a Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) program. Monmouth University also happens to be right around the corner from Ruane’s home, as he is a West Long Branch resident and grew up watching Hawks’ games.  

“Long snapping came easy for me,’’ said Ruane, who has been doing it since Pop Warner. “I filled in one day, and it’s worked out well since then.’’  

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Ruane was a key component on a Blue Devils team that finished 11-1 this past fall. He had four sacks, three pass blocks, two blocked kicks and also recorded an interception in the state final victory over Dunellen. At quarterback, he went 37-for-78 for 721 yards and 13 touchdowns passing, while also rushing for six touchdowns.  

In addition to replacing four-year starting long snapper Dave Ogden, who graduated, Ruane also is projected to play either tight end or defensive end at Monmouth. Two current tight ends on Monmouth’s roster, Tyler George and Mike McLafferty, were both quarterbacks in high school, so the Hawks’ staff has experience in helping players make the transition to tight end.  

“It’s definitely going to be different, but in practice I would always fool around and try to catch passes one-handed,’’ Ruane said about possibly playing tight end. “I think it will be doable.’’  

He said he had also received interest from Lafayette, Marist and Stony Brook, but verbally committed to Monmouth on Nov. 5, which also happened to be his 18th birthday. One season after the Hawks received commitments from seven Shore Conference standouts, Ruane was the only Shore Conference player who was part of the 14-member Monmouth recruiting class that was announced at an event at the Multi-purpose Activity Center on Wednesday night.  

Also signing their binding Letters of Intent to Monmouth on Wednesday were Bath-Haverling (N.Y.) defensive back Nick Carroll; South River (Md.) High School defensive linemen David Coffin; Geneva (N.Y.) High School linebacker Colin Cooper; Manheim (Pa.) Central High School offensive lineman Peter D’Addio; Reservoir (Md.) High School defensive back Demetri Dennis; Arundel (Md.) Senior High School offensive lineman Ed Hunt; North Brunswick linebacker Zak Irizarry; DePaul Catholic athlete Dan Kowal; Damascus (Md.) High School offensive lineman Taylor Krenzke; Navy Prep defensive lineman Eric Macik; Union High School running back Isaiah McLean; Dover (Del.) High School wide receiver Eric Sumlin and wide receiver Hakeem Valles of The Peddie School.  

Two positions of need because of graduation were on the defensive line, which lost some depth, and in the secondary, where three of four starters graduated. Two defensive linemen signed on Wednesday, and Callahan said they are still pursuing a few others. Two defensive backs were also signed to bolster a secondary that returns 2009 Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year Jose Gumbs.  

The incoming class does not include a quarterback. Starter Kyle Frazier still has two more years of eligibility, while the quarterback from last season’s recruiting class, Greg DePugh, redshirted and still has four years of eligibility. Also, back-up Craig Peterson, a Manalapan graduate, returns.  

“It would be hard to get the next kid when they see how many years the guys ahead of them still have left,’’ Callahan said.  

Another interesting aspect to this class is that Maryland has become a fertile destination in Monmouth’s recruiting efforts, yielding four recruits in this year’s class.  

“We started out recruiting in Maryland about five years ago, and we’ve started to increase our presence down there,’’ Callahan said. “Maryland, unlike New Jersey, was not very heavily recruited. It’s an ideal distance from here, it’s very good football, and it’s become a very valuable place for us.’’  

The 14 players who signed Letters of Intent on Wednesday don’t represent the end of the recruiting efforts, either, as Callahan said that most classes are usually right around 20 players. Usually other players become available when things may fall through with another school, or the right financial package becomes enticing.  

Monmouth is reportedly still in the mix for Manalapan running back Josh Firkser, who was the consensus Shore Conference Offensive Player of the Year after a 2,000-yard season in the fall, along with Lacey star kicker/running back/defensive back Jarrod Molzon and Lacey standout quarterback Craig Cicardo.