Rutgers football has landed the second offensive line commit of their May 29th official visit weekend as 2027 OL Aaron Southard from Virginia has decided to commit to the Scarlet Knights, according to an announcement he made on social media.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Southard plays offensive tackle for the Saint James Academy in Madison, Virginia.
According to his HUDL profile, Southard has a 5.8 40-yard dash time. On top of that, it also says he benches 315 pounds, squats 465 pounds, and can deadlift 535 pounds.
Southard held offers from East Carolina, Marshall, UConn, and USF. Michigan State was making a push to get him on campus next weekend, according to The Knight Report, before he ultimately decided to shut down his recruitment.
Southard’s offer came after he worked out in front of new offensive line coach Jim Turner back in late March. He took an unofficial visit right after that to the campus to watch spring practice. A month later, the Knights were able to secure his commitment.
Southard is the ninth member of the 2027 recruiting class for the Knights and is the third offensive lineman of the class as well, joining New York IOL James Cocozzo and Pennsylvania OT Charles Butler.
He is currently unranked by all three recruiting sites.
Here is a link to Southard’s huld highlights from his junior year
