Some fairly surprising recruiting news today: Essence Carson has chosen Rutgers over UConn. It's another loss for the Huskies, who have had a tough year on the recruiting front.

Carson says the educational opportunities were the difference. "Rutgers has a very good music program and I wanted to stay closer to home. After I get my degree from Rutgers, I'd like to get involved in the music production business and I wanted to go to school in this area because it's the media center of the world."

Rutgers also got a verbal from Matee Ajavon, another top recruit.