PRINCETON — When Rutgers linebacker recruit Kamar Archie transferred from Ewing High to The Hun School, one of his goals was to prepare to play big-time college football. To say it’s been a different world might be an understatement. “At least from a public school, it’s way different,” Archie said last Friday after Hun lost a physical battle against another national program in Saint Frances of Maryland. “When you’re coming to Hun you’re coming to work. Get your stuff done academically and athletically as well. Coach (Todd) Smith stays on us all year long. We’re constantly working, so that’s why it pays off on the field so much.” Archie played only five games at Ewing in the 2020 season shortened by COVID-19, but he made a dazzling impact on the Blue Devils’ defense with 56 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble and recovery. The Trenton native quickly began to draw attention. Greg Schiano and Rutgers became the first school to offer him a full scholarship in March of 2021, and his high-profile recruitment eventually became flooded with offers from 27 Division I programs including national powers like Michigan and Georgia, according to 247Sports. Hun School linebacker Kamar Archie, right, tackles Saint Frances Academy running back Jaelyn Burke, left, during a high school football game against Saint Frances Academy on Friday afternoon at Edgurstoune Road in Princeton. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo) Archie reclassified and repeated his freshman year at Hun in the fall of 2021, so he’s had five high school seasons. He plays both running back and middle linebacker at Hun. Smith has been the head coach at the Princeton-based school since 2014 and has continued growing a program that is now annually churning out top talent. “It’s been great,” Archie said. “Since my freshman year I’ve been developing to be a much better player — just the technical stuff and becoming faster and stronger over the years. Just seeing myself grow and the people around here, it’s been great. It’s a great place.” Hun School running back Kamar Archie carries the ball against Saint Frances Academy during a high school football game against Saint Frances Academy on Friday afternoon at Edgurstoune Road in Princeton. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo) Archie is one of 28 players in a 2025 Rutgers recruiting class which ranks 22nd in the country, according to 247Sports. He confirmed that he attended Saturday’s game against Wisconsin at SHI Stadium, where Rutgers hosted its largest group of recruits ever with more than 250 visitors, according to NJ.com. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Archie said Rutgers intends to have him focus on linebacker and switch to the outside, although he expects to potentially line up at MIKE, SAM or WILL. When looking at the current Rutgers defense, he loves the style of a few of the linebackers and sees his skill set fitting in perfectly. “Mo Toure, he’s hurt right now, but I love his game,” Archie said. “Tyreem Powell, good inside guy, reads his keys well, aggressive, physical. And yeah, I think I’ll be a really good fit on that defense, so I’m excited about my commitment.” Archie said he’s been working on rushing off the edge more among other important details in his craft as a high school senior. “Literally the smallest things possible,” Archie said. “From an athletic standpoint, I feel like I’m very good the way I’m built. I’ve got a really good build to play linebacker, but the small things, those are what really matter. And there’s still a lot I need to work on, and I know that. I’ve got all offseason when I go up there to work on that stuff and get better.”