GLENDALE, Ariz. – Ohio State might very well win its second national championship in five years tomorrow night when it faces Florida in the BCS Championship game.

But yesterday the Buckeyes lost out to the Scarlet Knights for star New Jersey prep recruit Anthony Davis of Piscataway High School. Davis, a dominating 6-foot-5, 340-pound offensive lineman, chose Rutgers over Ohio State.

Two years ago, the Scarlet Knights wouldn’t have had a shot at landing such a highly touted prep player. But the emergence of Rutgers football as a legitimate Top 25 program gives players such as Davis a reason to stay home.

Davis made his announcement yesterday on national television during the All-American Bowl, an all-star game for prep players in San Antonio.

Rutgers officials are not allowed to comment on recruits until they receive a signed letter of intent. Signing day is Feb. 6, but there is no reason to believe Davis, whom sources said became enamored with the family-like atmosphere at Rutgers, will renege on his commitment.

Never before has Rutgers signed the No. 1 recruit in New Jersey. Players of that caliber have left for programs including Notre Dame, Southern Cal, Penn State and other Big Ten programs.

But after going 11-2, including winning the school’s first bowl game, a 37-10 triumph over Kansas State in the Texas Bowl, Rutgers is poised to establish itself as the premier program in the East. Players such as Davis, who could start as a freshman, bolster that position.

According to several scouting services, the signing of Davis gives Rutgers a top-25 recruiting class.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has maintained that although he appreciates the work of scouting services, the Scarlet Knights always will make their own evaluations and pursue the players that best fit the program.