James Guarantano

James Guarantano

Born:	Lodi, New Jersey, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)	Wide receiver
College	Rutgers
Career history
As player
1993	San Diego Chargers
1994–1997	Baltimore Stallions
Career highlights and awards
Grey Cup champion (1995) First-team All-Big East (1992) Second-team All-East (1991)

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.

External links

• Lodi HS Famous Alumni - James Guarantano