PISCATAWAY — Brandon Russell arrived at Rutgers in 2014 along with six fellow Florida natives. Two years later, only four of the Floridians from that recruiting class remain.
Of the 15 Florida recruits Rutgers landed from 2013-15, six have transferred and one was kicked off the team. Russell, a Pembroke Pines native, never considered following his former teammates back to Florida.
"It was difficult," Russell said. "I wish them all the best, but this is my home. It was never a thought."
That's not to say it has been a smooth first two years for Russell.