James Guarantano

James Guarantano
Born:Lodi, New Jersey, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Wide receiver
CollegeRutgers
Career history
As player
1993San Diego Chargers
1994–1997Baltimore Stallions
Career highlights and awards

James Guarantano is a former American football wide receiver for the NFL's San Diego Chargers and the CFL's Baltimore Stallions. He was also a former standout wide receiver while playing college football at Rutgers University.

Raised in Lodi, New Jersey, Guarantano played prep football at Lodi High School.[1]

College career

Guarantano played for Rutgers from 1989 to 1992.

In the 1991 season, Guarantano collected 740 yards, on 62 receptions, which was tops in the Big East.[2] That was highlighted by a game against Temple on November 17, 1991, when Rutgers clinched its first winning season in four years. Guarantano caught a 70-yard touchdown pass, allowing the Scarlet Knights to finish with a 6–5 record, their first winning season since going 6–5 in 1987.[3] Following the season, he was named to the All Big East Second-team.

Guarantano would follow that up in 1992 with 56 receptions for 755 yards (13.5 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. One of those touchdowns came in a dramatic victory over Pittsburgh on September 18, 1992. Guarantano caught a 33-yard score to send Rutgers to a 7–0 halftime lead, and Rutgers would go on to win 21–16.[4] For his efforts, Guarantano was named to the All Big East First-team, and was a UPI Honorable Mention All American.[5]

College legacy

When Guarantano graduated in 1992, he left as one of the most prolific receivers in school history. Guarantano was second All-Time in Scarlet Knight history in yards (2,065), first in receptions (158) and third in touchdowns (11).[6] In 1999, he was inducted into the Rutgers football Hall of Fame.[7]

Professional career

Guarantano discussed a possible contract with the New York Giants[8] before he signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers on April 30, 1993. He was released on May 5, 1993.[9][10][11] Following his stint in the NFL, Guarantano would play for the Baltimore Stallions (now the Montreal Alouettes) of the CFL from 1994 to 1997.[12]

Personal

Following his professional football career, Guarantano became a police officer in the NYPD.[13] Guarantano's son, Jarrett Guarantano, was one of the top quarterbacks in New Jersey's 2016 high school class, and is a former starting QB at the University of Tennessee before transferring to Washington State. He chose the Vols over Rutgers University, his dad's alma mater, and Ohio State University.[14]

References

  1. ^ James "Jim" Guarantano, Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame. Accessed August 12, 2022. "Guarantano came to Rutgers after an outstanding scholastic career at Lodi High School."
  2. ^ "The Daily Collegian Online". Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
  3. ^ "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: EAST; Rutgers Beats Temple for a Winning Season". The New York Times. November 17, 1991. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Wallace, William N. (September 18, 1992). "FOOTBALL; For Rutgers, an Evening and a Victory to Remember". The New York Times. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "Rutgers Football All-Americans". Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  6. ^ "Career leaders". July 30, 2007.
  7. ^ http://www.scarletknights.com/football/news/guide06/rutgers_fb06_175-198.pdf [permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "GUARANTANO YEARNS TO COME HOME Summary | BookRags.com". Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
  9. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. April 30, 1993.
  10. ^ Freeman, Mike (May 2, 1995). "PRO FOOTBALL; Young Wants to Dress Like His Dad". The New York Times.
  11. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. May 5, 1993.
  12. ^ "Lodi High School Alumni".
  13. ^ "Where are they now? Rutgers wide receiver Jim Guarantano of Lodi".
  14. ^ Hunt, Todderick (February 19, 2015). "Jarrett Guarantano camp on Wednesday's Rutgers visit: 'He liked it, he liked it a lot'". NJ.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021.