ATLANTIC CITY — Rutgers University Football Coach Greg Shiano is bullish on Southern New Jersey Football.
He can’t get much more specific than that because of the NCAA’s rules and regulations.
But if you want to know how much Shiano thinks of junior wide receiver Sah’nye Degraffenreidt, he brought the university’s helicopter to Atlantic City High School on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, to meet with him.
(Sah'nye Degraffenreidt, who is a junior wide receiver, (Left) and Rutgers University Coach Greg Shiano (Right) meet at the Atlantic City High School gym.)
“The meeting was good,” Degraffenreidt said. “It’s real exciting.”
Students, staff, police and firefighters assembled at the Jack Eisenstein Complex awaiting Shiano’s arrival. Once the pilot set down in the grassy field behind the bleachers, Shiano and Degraffenreidt exchanged a firm handshake and went to an office in the gym to talk business.
(Rutgers University Coach Greg Shiano brought the university's helicopter to Atlantic City High School on Wednesday, Jan. 31, to meet with Sah'nye Degraffenreidt.)
Details of the meeting were not disclosed.
“At Rutgers, we’ve got several guys from South Jersey,” Shiano said. “South Jersey has always been great for football. It’s really a hot bed for football.”
According to published reports, Rutgers is one of the many top tier programs courting Degraffenreidt. Penn State, Georgia and Michigan have also reportedly offered Degraffenreidt scholarships.
“He’s getting recruited from all across the country,” Director of Athletics Chris Ford said of the standout junior. “He’s an unbelievable talent. It’s awesome for him. It’s awesome for our community, and it’s awesome for the school.”
Ford said this was the first time any coach of any sport brought a helicopter to a recruiting meeting for a local player, as far as he can remember.
Atlantic City High School Football Coach Keenan Wright said more things factor into the college decision than what happens on the field.
(Atlantic City High School Coach Keenan Wright said he encourages players to make decisions that take life after football into consideration.)
“We try to educate our players on life after football,” said Wright. “You want to go to a school for the right reason. Is it the right fit for yourself and your family?”
Former Assistant Atlantic City High School Football Coach Jonathan Parker said several colleges and universities are interested in Degraffenreidt but Wednesday seemed different.
“Usually when the head coach comes this early, they want to let the player know, you’re our guy,” said Parker.
