PISCATAWAY -- The jolt of excitement through Rutgers football when Janarion Grant decided to put off the NFL Draft was so severe that it was felt from the bottom all the way to the top.

Players not yet in the program and coach Chris Ash shared the same reaction.

Rutgers got a major boost before National Signing Day when Janarion Grant returned to schoolElsa | Getty Images 

"I think when he made the announcement to come back players that were committed to us were extremely excited, especially the wide receivers because they want to be able to learn from him and emulate him because he's a dynamic player," Ash said."I think it gave the players in the program, myself included, a lift because he is a difference-maker."

Grant suffered a season-ending broken ankle in the fourth game of last season but did not announce his decision to return to school as a redshirt senior until the first day of class in the spring semester.

None of the 28 additions on National Signing Day -- including two graduate transfers punter Ryan Anderson and wide receiver Damon Mitchell -- is expected to make anything close to the same one-year impact as Grant in 2017.

"Whether it's football, basketball, whatever it may be, you want to have those players that when the game is on the line or a play needs to be made, you can say, 'Get the ball to this guy," Ash said. "And Janarion is one of those guys."

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Despite missing eight games, Grant finished third on Rutgers with 655 all-purpose yards (210 receiving, 138 rushing and 307 on special teams) last season. He also was tied for the team lead with five touchdowns.

"He did it on special teams when he was healthy, and he did it on offense when he was healthy," Ash said. "And we are hoping we can get him bigger and stronger and (to) stay healthy and he can do that for us this next year. It just lifts the play of everybody else around him."

In an effort to be less reliant on Grant in 2017, Ash emphasized team speed and skill positions in recruiting.

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Both Hunter Hayek -- for his ability to work the slot -- and Bo Melton were mentioned in the same breath as Grant by Rutgers coaches on Signing Day, while Raheem Blackshear is cut from the same mold and has watched Grant from afar.

"We're looking for guys that can make plays with the ball in their hands and really looking at that slot position, a position that Janarion Grant has held," Ash said. "We need guys that can fill that position."

Grant, who has not been available to the media since before his injury, was projected as a possible late-round pick if healthy by the NFL Draft experts. Grant is participating in winter strength and conditioning workouts -- a good sign for his spring practice availability.

"I can't say enough about Janarion and making the decision to come back," Ash said. "It means that he believes in what we are doing, and he believes that we can continue to develop him and help him reach his dreams and goals of being an NFL player."

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.

 

 

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