Imhotep's Ruff heads Temple's 2014 class
After a career in football, Aaron Ruff wants to move to California and work for Apple. "I love their technology," Ruff said in a phone interview last week. "I love how it's set up. I've had an Apple since I was in eighth or ninth grade."
After a career in football, Aaron Ruff wants to move to California and work for Apple.
"I love their technology," Ruff said in a phone interview last week. "I love how it's set up. I've had an Apple since I was in eighth or ninth grade."
He had been talking about computers for at least five minutes in a mature baritone that couldn't have belonged to the 6-foot-4-inch, 295-pound 18-year-old from Olney.
But when Ruff talks, you listen. He said his intellect is part of what has enabled him to make the four-year transformation at Imhotep Charter from an oversize tackle to a four-star right guard who will likely headline Temple's 2014 recruiting class, which is scheduled to be announced Wednesday as part of national signing day.
The Owls are expected to sign six defensive backs, four wide receivers, and at least six other position players, with commitments from six offensive and defensive linemen combined.
Ruff is the highest-rated prospect in the class, according to Rivals.com. He said he is firmly committed to the Owls, despite offers from multiple Division I schools, including Wisconsin, Syracuse, Boston College and Virginia Tech.
Ruff, who has lived in Philadelphia his whole life, said his choice of Temple was a "family decision."
"It felt like home," Ruff said. "The coaches are very organized, respectful. They weren't rude."
"The team is very family-oriented."
The athlete
Ruff doesn't remember who the home team was playing or how old he was when he attended his first Eagles game, but he said he'll never forget the physicality.
"The contact, the running game . . . I just loved it," Ruff said. "I said, 'I want to do that when I get older.' "
Ruff said that game must have taken place long before he first played football in middle school. Ruff used to be too big for his age to play, he said. But despite his lack of experience he earned a starting role on Imhotep Charter's offensive line as a freshman.
He played right tackle for his first three years before moving to right guard in his senior season in 2013. His efforts helped Imhotep Charter (12-3) gain two 1,000-yard rushers and an appearance in the PIAA Class AA state championship game in 2013.
Panthers coach Albie Crosby said Ruff's combination of strength and footwork makes him one of the best players he's ever led in 15 years of coaching.
"Having a guy of his size and his stature being able to run around was really huge for us," Crosby said.
The student
Every school day for the last two weeks, Ruff has given up his lunch hour to interview rival student-athletes about academics.
As part of an internship, Ruff takes the daily 15-minute ride from Imhotep Charter to Imani Charter, where Ruff asks student-athletes questions about work ethic and studying habits.
"They've been saying, since they were young, schoolwork's not hard to them, but their behaviors have been getting to them," Ruff said. "[School] is hard for them because of their behavior."
A great deal has been made out of Ruff's accomplishments on the field. But Ruff will tell you he focuses his efforts on the classroom, where he has a 3.4 grade-point average and a two-part score of better than 1,000 on his SATs.
Ruff, who plans to major in technology or engineering, said he chose Temple over other D-I schools in large part because of its academic reputation.
"They have a great engineering program," Ruff said. "Why travel off so far, when Temple has basically the same thing that they have or even better?"
Temple Class of 2014
PLAYER POS. HT WT SCHOOL (State)
Shamir Bearfield DB 5-11 175 St. Peter's Prep (N.J.)
Freddie Booth-Lloyd DT 6-1 301 Cocoa (Fla.)
Ventell Bryant WR 6-3 160 Jefferson (Fla.)
Sean Chandler ATH 5-11 173 Camden (N.J.)
Anthony Davis DB 6-1 175 Gateway (Pa.)
Michael Dogbe DE 6-3 223 Parsippany Hills (N.J.)
Jared Folks LB 6-2 218 Susquehanna Twp (Pa.)
David Hood RB 5-11 190 Absegami (N.J.)
Derrick Ingram WR 6-1 193 Jefferson (Fla.)
Cequan Jefferson DB 5-11 175 Fork Union Military (Va.)
Shahid Lovett DB 6-2 205 Lackawanna C.C. (Pa.)
Jacob Martin DE 6-3 225 Cherokee Trail (Colo.)
James McHale OL 6-6 298 Dunmore (Pa.)
Frank Nutile QB 6-4 199 Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)
Kip Patton ATH 6-5 230 Norristown (Pa.)
Delvon Randall ATH 6-0 190 Gateway (Pa.)
Aaron Ruff OL 6-4 295 Imhotep Charter (Pa.)
Derek Thomas WR 6-4 190 Milford Academy (N.Y.)
Jyquis Thomas DB 6-1 182 Plant City (Fla.)
Brenon Thrift LB 6-3 230 Gateway (Pa.)
William Updegrove DE 6-5 220 Berwick (Pa.)
Alex Wells DB 6-0 195 ASA College (N.Y.)
Lenny Williams QB 5-10 196 Sto Rox (Pa.)
Brodrick Yancy WR 5-11 184 Manatee (Fla.)EndText