Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

Greg Schiano hinted he was open to making a position swap in the defensive secondary prior to the start of spring practice. Rutgers' latest transfer addition suggests one is likely to happen. The Scarlet Knights landed a graduate transfer commitment from Temple cornerback Christian Braswell on Friday. He was a two-year starter for the Owls, so Rutgers now has four corners with significant starting experience - Tre Avery, Avery Young and North Carolina transfer Patrice Rene are the others - plus Max Melton, who saw significant snaps last season as a freshman.

"I think our secondary is going to be a work in progress," Schiano said last week. "We have some experience...I think we have a chance to be good in the secondary, but we're going to be green." Braswell's arrival makes Rutgers a little less green. The District of Columbia native has played 18 games in the last two seasons with 42 tackles, two interceptions, 13 pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He is the third Temple player Rutgers has landed as a transfer this offseason. The Scarlet Knights added offensive lineman David Nwaogwugwu and defensive tackle Ifeanyi Maijeh earlier this year. - Star Ledger

(DS#50 CB) rSr/2023

CB Christian Braswell, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

04/24/21 - Noah Vedral, rSr/2024, Rutgers, 6-1, 200 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Noah Vedral isn't taking these next few weeks for granted. The Rutgers quarterback and the rest of the offense will use spring practices to build on what went well in 2020 and correct what went wrong. Every session is a big opportunity for a unit that's looking to take the next step in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson's system. "This spring's going to be really big for us," Vedral said Wednesday. Vedral is right in the middle of that.There's not much uncertainty about Vedral's role this year - he's the starter. He won the job out of training camp last season after transferring from Nebraska. His experience in the type of no-huddle, up-tempo offense that Gleeson runs was a big factor in his ability to beat his competition.

Vedral was solid overall, finishing 136-of-221 for 1,253 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 193 yards and one score. He missed some time because of injury, including an ankle injury he suffered against Maryland that also kept him out of the season-finale against Nebraska. Greg Schiano said earlier this week that Vedral is not 100 percent, but on Wednesday the quarterback said he was progressing well. "I'm doing good," Vedral said. "Making progress and I'm able to practice. I'm feeling good. I'm excited for the spring. My ankle and whatever else I'm dealing with really shouldn't hold me up too much." - Asbury Park Press

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Noah Vedral, Rutgers
News Source: Asbury Park Press
Share/Comment: Here

04/21/21 - Noah Vedral, rSr/2024, Rutgers, 6-1, 200 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Rutgers is rolling with the quarterbacks already on the roster. The Scarlet Knights will not look to add another passer following Artur Sitkowski's exit into the NCAA transfer portal, coach Greg Schiano said Monday. Noah Vedral remains entrenched as the starter, Johnny Langan will continue to have a big role in the offense and it appears Evan Simon and Cole Snyder are set to battle for the backup job when spring practice opens Tuesday. "I think the quarterback room is in a good place," Schiano said. "There's good chemistry in there ... I'm looking forward to watching Evan and Cole and Johnny and Austin (Albericci, a walk-on from Demarest High) develop. And certainly with Noah now being in the system for a year, and going out and having the chance to work through things again, we continue to grow the offense."

It remains to be seen how much work Vedral will get this spring though. He is still not fully recovered from the ankle injury he suffered after a cheap shot by Maryland defensive tackle Ami Finau in Rutgers' overtime win at Maryland last Dec. 12. "He's feeling better, but he's not 100% yet. It was a pretty serious deal," Schiano said. The incident, while of no fault of Vedral's, illustrates why Sitkowski's departure could be an issue for the Scarlet Knights. Vedral had the best season by a Rutgers quarterback in several years last fall, throwing for 1,253 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions and rushing for 193 yards and a score. - Star Ledger

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Noah Vedral, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

04/07/21 - Lawrence Stevens, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 5-08, 180 (DS#147 CB) + More +

Rutgers is bringing back pretty much every player of note from last fall's renaissance season. While Lawrence Stevens would not be one of the first names rattled off during a roll call of the returnees, he is one of the more indispensable Scarlet Knight veterans coming back for another year. The Lawrenceville native further burnished his reputation as Rutgers' special teams ace, racking up a team-leading seven tackles in coverage while also playing quality snaps at safety and earning team captain honors.

Stevens could push for more playing time in the secondary during spring practice - start date to be decided as the Scarlet Knights continue to be in COVID-19 pause - and will have a shot to break his career-high of eight special teams tackles in a season with a full 12-game schedule planned. "You're always going to have those guys that are the No. 2 or the No. 3 on their position depth chart, but they are not lacking the skill-set they need to be effective special teams players," coordinator Adam Scheier said. "He is fast, he is physical, he's fearless and he's selfless. He's going to do exactly what is required to help this team win." - Star Ledger

(DS#147 CB) rSr/2022

CB Lawrence Stevens, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

04/02/21 - Mike Tverdov, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 6-4, 266 (DS#50 DE) + More +

Greg Schiano challenged Mike Tverdov. Play hard, and to your maximum effort, on every snap. Simple as that. The defensive end from Union took it to heart. By the end of the fall, he was Rutgers' best defensive lineman. "You can't afford to take plays off in this league," Tverdov said recently. "Last year I was 6-foot-3, 250 pounds. I'm not a guy who can sit in the gap and take plays off. It doesn't work like that. "Swarm and finish every play, giving every single play your maximum effort is how things are going to turn out for you. I think that's the mindset I developed later in the season. Not only did I start playing harder, but I started believing in our system, believing in the coaching. It helped our defense and it helped me personally. I'm looking to go as hard as I can on every single play and see how far I can push myself."

Tverdov racked up 19 tackles (six for a loss) and four sacks in the Scarlet Knights' final three games of the season. It was a significant surge for a player who had just 17 tackles in the first six games, and it raised expectations for a breakout 2021, starting with spring practice - which is currently on hold due to a COVID-19 pause. "He loves to play the game of football. I think he prepares, and he's learning how to prepare within our system. And then when you have some positive actions go for you, things really start to be on the uptick," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "He's set the bar for himself now in terms of preparation and how he needs to respond. We're excited to see him this spring and that's got to carry on into the fall." - Star Ledger

(DS#50 DE) rSr/2022

DE Mike Tverdov, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

03/11/21 - Bo Melton, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 5-11, 190 (DS#18 WR) + More +

Bo Melton wanted one more year. One more year at Rutgers, one more year to keep improving under wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood and one more year in Greg Schiano's program. Melton was a major part of the Scarlet Knights' offense in 2020, and shortly after the season ended the South Jersey native announced he was coming back. "I've been here for only one year with them, I wanted an extra year to grow and get better as a player," Melton said Tuesday. "Coming back here with Coach (Sean) Gleeson, a great offensive coordinator. Just trying to get better as an offense and as a team."

Melton's return means that Rutgers will have one of its most productive and consistent players back for another season. Soon Melton will get the chance to work even more with Underwood when spring practices begin - a chance Melton didn't have last year when the pandemic forced the cancellation of the spring schedule. The 5-11, 190-pound Melton caught 47 passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns last season, the best year he's had with the Scarlet Knights. Melton also rushed for 69 yards on six carries with two touchdowns and had another TD on a punt return. - Asbury Park Press

(DS#18 WR) rSr/2022

WR Bo Melton, Rutgers
News Source: Asbury Park Press
Share/Comment: Here

02/25/21 - Olakunle Fatukasi, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 6-1, 234 (DS#19 ILB) + More +

Olakunle Fatukasi is the type of football player who lets his play do the talking. Typically soft spoken in media interviews, Fatukasi didn't want to discuss his decision on whether to return for another collegiate season or enter the NFL as the Rutgers football campaign came to a close in December. Instead, the Big Ten's leading tackler sent out a simple tweet to the Rutgers faithful a day after concluding a breakthrough senior season. "2020 been a crazy year...but don't worry, I see ya next year," he wrote Twitter.

After finishing second on the Scarlet Knights and 11th in the Big Ten with 85 tackles as a junior, Fatukasi emerged as one of the nation's premier weakside linebackers this past season. "He's obviously one of the better football players in our league," Smith said. "I have a soft spot in my heart for linebackers, having worked with that position before. We've had a pretty good run with guys like O3. I like his mindset. He's back just to take his game to the next level and hopefully help us defensively to take us to another level." - Star Ledger

(DS#19 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

02/24/21 - Jovani Haskins, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 6-5, 252 (DS#27 TE) + More +

Rutgers' tight ends room has been star-crossed in recent years. Attrition, injuries and a lack of consistent production has made the position group arguably the weakest on the Scarlet Knights' roster. Offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson believes the unit is about to turn the corner. He expects Jovani Haskins will be a big reason why. "Jovani is a guy who played a ton of football for us and was a mainstay on the field at all times. He really performed well," Gleeson said. "We asked him to put his hand in the ground a little bit more than he had in other parts of his career, but he flourished. And he's going to continue to because he's really coachable."

Haskins, a Bergenfield product, was a top-10 recruit in the state during the 2016 signing cycle and started his college career at Miami before moving on to West Virginia. He had some success for the Mountaineers in 2018, but fell off the following season after offseason legal issues. Haskins then landed at Rutgers last June and started all nine games in 2020, hauling in six catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns while showing flashes as a blocker. Head coach Greg Schiano praised Haskins' efforts, saying he got better each week. - Star Ledger

(DS#27 TE) rSr/2022

TE Jovani Haskins, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

02/14/21 - Bo Melton, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 5-11, 190 (DS#18 WR) + More +

Bo Melton's decision to return to Rutgers for his final season of eligibility was a major boost for the Scarlet Knights' offense. It was a bigger win for their culture. "We're thrilled. And a lot of people would say we're thrilled because of the production he had and the year he had. And yes, for sure," coach Greg Schiano said recently. "But what makes me even more excited is he is one of the hardest workers on our team. When your best players are your hardest workers, as a head coach, you've got something cooking."

Melton finally delivered the breakout season last fall that many anticipated when he signed with Rutgers as a four-star recruit out of Cedar Creek High in 2017. He had 47 receptions for 638 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns, finishing with 942 all-purpose yards. Melton was one of several key veteran players Rutgers was able to retain. Cornerback Tre Avery, linebackers Olakunle Fatukasi, Tyshon Fogg and Tyreek Maddox-Williams, punter Adam Korsak, center Nick Krimin and defensive tackle Julius Turner are all set to return as well. - Star Ledger

(DS#18 WR) rSr/2022

WR Bo Melton, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

02/01/21 - Olakunle Fatukasi, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 6-1, 234 (DS#19 ILB) + More +

Fatukasi was the Big Ten's leading tackler during an unbalanced 2020 season, racking up 101 of them despite coming out early in the Scarlet Knights' last two games because of injury. The All-Big Ten media first-teamer banked 17 stops on two separate occasions last year. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#19 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
Share/Comment: Here

01/23/21 - Olakunle Fatukasi, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 6-1, 234 (DS#19 ILB) + More +

The return of Rutgers' star linebacker duo won't just boost the Scarlet Knights' defense in 2021 - it may lead to some notable revisions to their record book. Olakunle Fatukasi and Tyshon Fogg will have a chance to crack the top 10 in career tackles at Rutgers after opting to return for a fifth season of eligibility. The Queens native earned All-Big Ten honors after leading the conference with 101 tackles this fall during his breakout season. The production nearly doubled his output from his first three seasons. Fatukasi enters next season with 213 total tackles. He needs 111 more to pass Keith Woetzel, who is currently 10th in program history with 323 tackles. - Star Ledger

(DS#19 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

01/21/21 - Noah Vedral, rSr/2024, Rutgers, 6-1, 200 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Noah Vedral left Nebraska when he did because he knew he had a chance to be a multiple-year starter at quarterback somewhere else. He found that opportunity at Rutgers and he isn't giving it up anytime soon. Vedral, the Wahoo native and former Husker signal-caller, put a video on Twitter on Wednesday with highlights from the 2020 season and said, "Just getting started." The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder started seven games for the Scarlet Knights in 2020, is listed as a senior on Rutgers' online roster but could play two more seasons in New Jersey due to the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility for all players. - Lincoln Journal Star

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Noah Vedral, Rutgers
News Source: Lincoln Journal Star
Share/Comment: Here

01/15/21 - Patrice Rene, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 6-2, 202 (DS#144 CB) + More +

Rutgers has added some help to its back seven. North Carolina defensive back graduate transfer Patrice Rene committed to the Scarlet Knights on Wednesday night, NJ Advance Media's Todderick Hunt confirmed. Yahoo! Sports' Pete Thamel first reported the news. Rene featured in 44 games at cornerback across five seasons with North Carolina. A former four-star recruit out of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, the Canada native suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2019 after just two games for which he received a medical redshirt. He played in nine games in the 2020 season, collecting 28 tackles (two for loss), defended four passes and forced one fumble. In his career, Rene has 103 tackles (four for loss), two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. - Star Ledger

(DS#144 CB) rSr/2022

CB Patrice Rene, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

01/05/21 - Bo Melton, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 5-11, 190 (DS#18 WR) + More +

Melton opted to take advantage of the free-year-of-eligibility waiver granted to all fall athletes by the NCAA, and will be poised to become one of the Big Ten's premier play-makers in 2021. The Mays Landing native ranked among the Big Ten's top-5 in receptions (4th, 47), receiving yards (3rd, 638) and receiving touchdowns (4th, 6) in nine game this past fall. - Star Ledger

(DS#18 WR) rSr/2022

WR Bo Melton, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

01/02/21 - Bo Melton, rSr/2022, Rutgers, 5-11, 190 (DS#18 WR) + More +

Two Rutgers players - defensive back Brendon White and defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour - have declared for the NFL Draft since the end of the season. While wide receiver Bo Melton, defensive tackle Julius Turner and linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi all announced their intentions to return for 2021, a few other Scarlet Knights with potential NFL futures haven't made their plans public, including defensive end Elorm Lumor, running back Isaih Pacheco and cornerback Tre Avery. - Star Ledger

(DS#18 WR) rSr/2022

WR Bo Melton, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Rutgers Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2025 CFB/2025-2029 NFL Draft Scout

2024 CFB/2024-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Rutgers Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development