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Football: Lambert mulling Rutgers situation

Timber Creek linebacker Quanzell Lambert is "still committed" to attend Rutgers University, according to Timber Creek coach Rob Hinson.

Hinson said Friday that Lambert is "taking some time" after learning that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano was leaving the Scarlet Knights to become the head coach of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 6-2, 240-pound Lambert, who led Timber Creek to a 12-0 record and the South Jersey Group 3 title, probably is the No. 1 recruit in Rutgers' 2012 class. He had offers from national champion Alabama as well as Oklahoma, Nebraska and numerous other schools.

Hinson said Thursday that Lambert was "shocked" by Schiano's departure.

When he committed to Rutgers in early January, Lambert stressed that his decision was based in large part on the school's engineering program -- and also on the fact that, under Schiano, Rutgers had football practice in the mornings, which would free students to attend engineering classes and labs in the afternoon.

Obviously, the next Rutgers coach could change the practice schedule, which could affect Lambert's ability to pursue his engineering degree.

Lambert is a thoughtful young man who probably wants to take his time before making this decision. He also probably wants to see whom Rutgers hires as its new coach, and whether any of the current assistants -- including Phil Galiano, who was instrumental in his recruitiment -- will still be on the staff.

One thing is clear: Lambert is back in play as far as other schools are concerned. Every school that Lambert ever talked with -- and that list includes the likes of Alabama, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa and Northwestern -- has been back in contact, along with a few new ones, a source close to the player said.

-- Phil Anastasia