Gavin Sidwar, a class of 2026 prospect from suburban Philadelphia, has committed to Rutgers.
Rutgers witnessed quarterback Gavin Sidwar throw in the spring, which led to an offer and his position at the top of the Scarlet Knights’ quarterback list.
He is now the first member of Rutgers’ 2026 class, having announced his commitment to the Scarlet Knights on Monday night.
“I’m just going to come in and work hard,” he told me. “They have a great culture, and all of those players work extremely hard.” I hope to be a great teammate and win a Big Ten Championship there. They have the personnel to execute it. I feel they can help me reach my full potential as a player and person.
Sidwar attends Wyndmoor (Pa.) La Salle, which produced Rutgers running back Sam Brown.
He stands 6-foot-3, weighs 185 pounds, and has the ability to maneuver in the pocket, prolong plays, and drive the ball down the field.
He is already a two-year starter at La Salle, having completed 186 of 285 passes for 2,439 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior last season.
Sidwar paid several visits to campus and developed a close friendship with coach Greg Schiano and offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. He visited campus in mid-June to meet with the coaching staff and learn more about the program, and he returned a little more than a week later when La Salle competed in the 7-on-7 at Rutgers.
“Coach Schiano is a great guy,” Sidwar stated. “I get along well with him. He’s a football player. He’s out there at practice coaching guys up and patting them on the back. He develops men. I think it’s a terrific idea for me to be under his umbrella.
“Coach Ciarrocca did not sell me on fluff. He told me what he wanted from his quarterbacks, and I think we’re a good fit. When he watched my tape, he saw things that no one else had mentioned about my perspective on the game. I believe we will work well together.”
Here’s what you should know:
WHAT GAVIN SIDWAR SAYS ABOUT RUTGERS
“Just feels right,” Sidwar added. “After my visit with my folks, I knew this was where I was going. It fits all of the boxes for me: it’s a Big Ten school with excellent academics and the opportunity to compete and play early. It’s near to home, and I know they want to throw the ball and improve their balance.”
WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX?
Sidwar made his share of trips and received his share of offers, including from Duke, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Indiana, West Virginia, and Virginia, but he walked away from his June visits with Syracuse and Rutgers as his top two options. He also visited Syracuse in late June, although he stated that his finest relationship was with Rutgers.
WHERE GAVIN SIDWAR RANKS AS A RECRUIT
Sidwar has a 247Sports grade of 86, making him the No. 16 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 41 quarterback nationally. According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Sidwar is the No. 469 player in the 2026 class.
HOW GAVIN SIDWAR FITS WITH RUTGERS
Rutgers moved early in the 2025 cycle when quarterback Sean Ashenfelder committed a month into his junior season, and the Scarlet Knights moved early once more with Sidwar. His junior season doesn’t start until late August. He is the Scarlet Knights’ first commit in the 2026 class, and his proximity to campus will allow him to attend games and be a regular visitor for important recruiting weekends, just like current freshman AJ Surace was in the 2024 cycle.
WHAT WE THINK ABOUT GAVIN SIDWAR
Andrew Ivins, 247Sports’ director of scouting, saw Sidwar perform live twice in the last two months and was impressed.
“He’s an athletic pocket passer that grows on you the more you watch,” Ivins told the audience. “I had the opportunity to observe him throw at an Elite 11 camp in May and again at Overtime’s OT7 Finals in June. He prefers to win with ball placement and touch, employing an efficient and consistent stroke.
“Does a good job of scanning the field and will seize opportunities when he feels pressure and then back away from it. A nice addition for Rutgers, and someone we’re looking forward to seeing as a junior after having his moments as a sophomore after earning a starting spot as a freshman.”
