Draft Scout Rutgers Player News, College Football: Rutgers

2023 CFB/2024-2027 Draft Scout

- Draft Scout Front Page - 2024 NFL Draft Tracker/Results - 2024 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2024 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - 2024 Pro Timing Day Fallers by Position - 2024 NFL Combine - Josh Buchanan's 2024 Top 100 Small School Prospects - End of Season Risers - End of Season Fallers - 2024 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2024 Senior Bowl - 2024 East-West Shrine - 2024 Hula Bowl - 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl - 2023 CFB Bowl Games/Playoffs - CFB Player News & Notes 12/03 Final CFB Playoff Top 12
- #1 Michigan - #2 Washington - #3 Texas - #4 Alabama - #5 Florida State - #6 Georgia - #7 Ohio State - #8 Oregon - #9 Missouri - #10 Penn State - #11 Mississippi - #12 Oklahoma - 2023-2027 FBS/FCS Team Lists/Rosters - CFB's Best Player Names By Year/Position - Draft Scout Player Directory A-Z - Players by School/College List A-Z - Draft Scout Rokfin Football Channel - Draft Scout Weekly - Phil Steele/Draft Scout - Contact Draft Scout Player Rankings by Conference: -ACC- | -American Athletic- | -Big 12- | -Big Ten- | -Conference USA- | -Independent- | -Mid-American- | -Mountain West- | -Pac-12- | -SEC- | -Sun Belt-

NFL Draft Scout History

- 1997 Coach Bill Walsh Draft Insider (First/Early NFL Draft Scout) - 2023 NFL Draft Tracker/Results - 2023 Undrafted by Position - 2023 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2023 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - Draft Scout Evolve: Player Rating Changes - 2023 NFL Combine - Draft Scout CFB Risers - Draft Scout CFB Fallers - 2023 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2023-26 #1 Georgia Bulldogs - 2023-26 #3 TCU Horned Frogs - 2022-23 CFB Bowl Schedule - EA College Football Game Pushed Back to 2024 - CFB Schedule/Roster/News Links - CFB Player Injury News & Notes - CFB Injuries by Year/Position

2022 Draft Scout

- 2022 NFL Draft Tracker - 2022 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2022 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - 2022 NFL Combine/Results - 2022 NFL Combine Risers by Position - 2022 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2021 Draft Scout Top 100

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Draft Scout College Football Player News: Rutgers

Previous 15 Notes

Next 15 Notes

10/18/22 - Naseim Brantley, rSr/2025, Rutgers + More +

SEPT 5 MISSOURI VALLEY NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK: WR Naseim Brantley, Western Illinois, 6-4, 200, Gr. (Farmingdale, N.J./Sacred Heart/Howell H.S.),...Making his Leatherneck debut, Brantley had a big night for Western Illinois in the season opener at UT Martin. He had six catches for 171 yards as well as touchdown catches of 51, 44 and 32 yard. Brantley also became the first Leatherneck with at least three receiving touchdowns in a game since Jaelon Acklin had three against South Dakota in 2017. His 171 yards receiving made him the first WIU receiver to have over 150 receiving yards since Dennis Houston had 175 against Eastern Washington last year. - Missouri Valley Conference Football

rSr/2025

WR Naseim Brantley, Rutgers
News Source: Missouri Valley Conference Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/09/22 - Aron Cruickshank, rSr/2023, Rutgers + More +

Rutgers fired offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson on Sunday, two days after the team's third straight Big Ten loss. Head coach Greg Schiano announced the move, which comes following the sixth game of Gleeson's third season with the Scarlet Knights (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten). The Rutgers offense has struggled this season. The team ranks No. 108 in total offense (334 yards per game), No. 104 in scoring offense (22.8 PPG) and No. 118 in team passing efficiency.

Rutgers lost to Nebraska (3-3, 2-1) 14-13 on Friday night, mustering 85 total yards and no points in the second half. "This was a difficult decision, but I believe it is in the best interest of our program to make a change at offensive coordinator," Schiano said in a statement. "I want to thank Sean for his hard work and wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors." Schiano was scheduled to address the media later Sunday. "We are going to have to really examine everything we are doing, why we are doing it and who is doing it and when they are doing it," Schiano said after Friday's loss. "That's going to take some time, but we have the bye week to do it. We have a lot of football ahead of us." Tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile will serve as the interim offensive coordinator. Campanile served as the interim head coach at Rutgers between Schiano's hire and his predecessor Chris Ash's firing. Schiano hired Gleeson as his first offensive coordinator in his second stint at the school. Rutgers has the week off before hosting Indiana (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) on Saturday, Oct. 22. - AP College Football

rSr/2023

WR Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/07/22 - Drew Singleton, rSr/2022, Rutgers + More +

Drew Singleton's college football career is officially over. The NCAA denied the Rutgers linebacker's third and final appeal for reinstatement this week, meaning any chance of him using his last year of eligibility during the 2022 season is gone. Singleton's initial application for reinstatement after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft was denied in the summer, as was the appeal he filed shortly after. Following the second denial, Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano said that there was "a last step" and that Rutgers was "really going to try" through that avenue.

This week, the NCAA ruled against them one last time. "I am deeply disappointed in the NCAA's decision to deny Drew Singleton the opportunity to return this season and use his final year of eligibility," Schiano said in a statement obtained by NJ Advance Media. "There were clearly extenuating circumstances presented after Drew came back to play in our bowl game. He embodies what it means to be a student-athlete here at Rutgers." Singleton echoed the sentiments. "I'd like to thank Coach Schiano, our compliance department, (Big Ten) Commissioner (Kevin) Warren, my teammates and family for their support," Singleton said in the statement. "This has been an extremely difficult process and I am disappointed that I will not be able to use my final year of eligibility to return to play with my teammates and obtain a master's degree in Labor Management and Employee Relations." - Star Ledger

rSr/2022

OLB Drew Singleton, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

09/10/22 - Johnny Langan, rSr/2024, Rutgers + More +

Tight end Johnny Langan threw and caught a touchdown pass as Rutgers rolled to a 66-7 rout of Wagner on Saturday. Highly-touted recruit Gavin Wimsatt made his first career start at quarterback, but Rutgers coach Greg Schiano continued to jockey the position between the redshirt freshman and third-year sophomore Evan Simon. Veteran signal caller Noah Vedral remained out with an upper-body injury. "They both did some really good things. I think there's some things that we've really got to get better, fast, because time is our enemy right now," Schiano said. "Now we have two tapes to teach from, two game tapes, and we'll do a lot of things with cut ups and putting those games together and showing them." After Wagner opened the game with a 31-yard pass play, Rutgers' defense tightened and stopped the Seahawks on fourth-and-4. Rutgers proceeded to go down the field on an 11-play, 62-yard drive spanning 4:27, capped by a Kyle Monangai 2-yard touchdown run to take an early lead. Simon later threw a 40-yard touchdown pass, Wimsatt added a 41-yarder and Langan, a former quarterback, connected with Isaiah Washington on a 43-yard touchdown pass as the Scarlet Knights (2-0) scored on their first four possessions. - Rutgers/AP College Football

rSr/2024

FB Johnny Langan, Rutgers
News Source: Rutgers/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/05/22 - Eric Rogers, rSr/2025, Rutgers + More +

SEPT 5 MAC WEST DIVISION DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Eric Rogers, NIU, Cornerback, Sophomore, Burlington, NJ (Burlington Township HS),...Cornerback Eric Rogers became the first Huskie to record two interceptions in a game since 2018 with a pair of picks in NIU's win over Eastern Illinois. His first INT came at the EIU 35-yard line and set up a Huskie TD two plays later. His second INT came on the Panthers' next drive with an interception at the NIU two-yard line to stop the Panthers. Rogers, who missed the last nine games of last season due to injury, is the first Huskie with two INTs in a game since Jalen McKie versus Akron on 11-1-18. - MAC Football

rSr/2025

CB Eric Rogers, Rutgers
News Source: MAC Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/03/22 - Aron Cruickshank, rSr/2023, Rutgers + More +

Al-Shadee Salaam scored on a 22-yard run with 2:43 to play, lifting Rutgers to a 22-21 comeback victory over Boston College on Saturday in the schools' season openers. Rutgers had lost the last 11 meetings against Boston College. Phil Jurkovec threw two of his three touchdown passes to Zay Flowers as BC opened a 21-12 lead midway through the third quarter before the Scarlet Knights rallied. Aron Cruickshank had a 26-yard TD run and Kyle Monangai a 1-yarder for Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights got the ball at their own 4 with just under 8 minutes left and used 12 plays - 11 rushes - to grab the lead on Salaam's TD when he busted through the line and into the left corner of the end zone. Jude McAtamney's 33-yard field had cut BC's lead to 21-15. Jurkovec, who transferred from Notre Dame before the 2020 season, went 23 of 41 for 283 yards with two interceptions. Flowers had 10 catches for 125 yards. After Jurkovec fumbled away a low snap that led to a TD by the Scarlet Knights, the redshirt senior found Jaden Williams in the left corner of the end zone, making it 21-12. Monangai's score had sliced the Eagles lead to 14-12 before Rutgers failed on the 2-point attempt. Jurkovec's first TD to Flowers was an 11-yard, back-shoulder pass into the right corner of the end zone, making it 7-0 midway into the opening quarter. His second gave the Eagles a 14-6 lead late in the second when the speedy receiver caught the ball over the middle and raced into the end zone near the right pylon for a 26-yard score. - Rutgers/AP College Football

rSr/2023

WR Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers
News Source: Rutgers/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/01/22 - Mayan Ahanotu, rSr/2024, Rutgers + More +

2022 PRESEASON WUERFFEL TROPHY (COMMUNITY SERVICE) WATCHLIST: Mayan Ahanotu, Rutgers, Sr., DL,...Ahanotu has been active within Chop4Change, a Rutgers football initiative to spread a message of unity and equality. That includes participating in the opening ceremonies for Special Olympics New Jersey and Rutgers Dance Marathon. In addition, Ahanotu has been a weekly mentor for the Middlesex Juvenile Detention Center in leading sessions with incarcerated young men. - Rutgers Football

rSr/2024

DT Mayan Ahanotu, Rutgers
News Source: Rutgers Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/22/22 - Victor Konopka, rSr/2025, Rutgers + More +

It wasn't that long ago when Victor Konopka decided to leave basketball behind and give football a try, a considerable gamble considering the Don Bosco Prep product's previous success on the hardwood. But just a few years after making that decision, Konopka finds himself with a big opportunity - to become a consistent, valuable weapon for a Scarlet Knights offense that's hoping to improve this season. Not even Konopka could've predicted this. "No shot," Konopka said Thursday following Rutgers' practice at the Marco Battaglia Practice Complex. "No chance." Konopka's decision proved to be a good one. 'I'm a 6-7 target' The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Konopka said he's more comfortable within the offense, not feeling the need to think as much on the field but instead react with instincts and an improved understanding of what he's seeing from defenses.

But he's also put in ample time working on his skillset, looking to refine his blocking and becoming a more consistent target in the passing game. With his size, Konopka has the chance to become an dependable asset for Rutgers' quarterback. "I take a lot of pride in it," Konopka said. "I'm a 6-7 target. A lot of quarterbacks like that size. Seeing down the field that they have a big guy with a good matchup. I think it's very beneficial to the quarterbacks to be able to see me running downfield. They can throw me the ball and I'll be there to catch it." Konopka, who played basketball all four years at Don Bosco before switching to football during a year at Blair Academy, had four catches for 52 yards last season. - Asbury Park Press

rSr/2025

TE Victor Konopka, Rutgers
News Source: Asbury Park Press
Share/Comment: Here

08/20/22 - Noah Vedral, rSr/2024, Rutgers + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Noah Vedral, Rutgers University,...Vedral has been involved in numerous community service projects for Chop4Change, a Rutgers football initiative to spread a message of unity and equality. Recent events Vedral has participated in include the Special Olympics opening ceremony and Saturdays in Motion at the YMCA Somerset Hills. It is the longest running recreational program in the United States for children with autism and their families. In addition, he was part of raising money for Easter dinner gift cards for families in need. At the bowl game, the Nebraska native took part in packing bags of food with special notes of encouragement to children. - Rutgers Football

rSr/2024

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

08/14/22 - Aron Cruickshank, rSr/2023, Rutgers + More +

Aron Cruickshank thought he was on his way to the end zone. The Rutgers senior took a kick return back to the middle of the field, tried to cut past the Wisconsin kicker and suddenly the thought of the end zone turned into something much worse. The end of his season. The injury? "Life-changing," Cruickshank said Wednesday, discussing his return to training camp and the first steps in his recovery from last year's season-ending knee injury. "All I remember is me catching the ball and thinking I was about to score," he said. "I was crying on the sideline, but I'm past that now. I've grown. I'm kind of glad that happened to me. It's made me grow as a person and player so I'm back now and attacking now."

Cruickshank's return to training camp last week represented a first step in his return to reclaiming his role as one of the most-dynamic weapons for the Scarlet Knights. "We're not out of the woods yet, but he's making progress and he's taking care of himself, and he's healing well," coach Greg Schiano said Monday. "He's playing. He's not full load yet, but he's close. We just got to keep bringing him along at a steady pace." Cruickshank said "he's working towards" full strength. - Star Ledger

rSr/2023

WR Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - Drew Singleton, rSr/2022, Rutgers + More +

The NCAA has denied the appeal that Rutgers submitted petitioning for former linebacker Drew Singleton's eligibility to be reinstated, coach Greg Schiano said Monday. Schiano said the program is going to make one last effort, but was disappointed by the decision. The issue stemmed from Singleton's decision to play in the Gator Bowl in December. The Scarlet Knights received a late invitation as a replacement for Texas A&M and had just eight days to prepare. Singleton, who had already declared for the NFL Draft and hired an agent, suffered an injury in the game that slowed down his draft preparation. The former Paramus Catholic star participated in Pro Day.

Singleton wanted to return to Rutgers and pursue his master's degree while using his last year of eligibility to play for the Scarlet Knights. "They want guys to play in bowl games," Schiano said. "I don't know, not many teams have accepted a bowl game on eight days notice, had two practices and went and played. I don't think so. A draft eligible player comes back to play and to me that is pretty special. Unfortunately, he got injured. I just struggle. I think that's extenuating circumstances." Schiano has previously said that Singleton accepted training expenses from his agent, but returned the money upon deciding to return to Rutgers. Singleton has been around the team in training camp as a volunteer coach. - Asbury Park Press

rSr/2022

OLB Drew Singleton, Rutgers
News Source: Asbury Park Press
Share/Comment: Here

08/11/22 - Drew Singleton, rSr/2022, Rutgers + More +

Drew Singleton's college football career may soon be over. The NCAA denied the Rutgers linebacker's appeal for reinstatement that would allow him to use his last year of eligibility during the 2022 season after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, head coach Greg Schiano announced after practice on Monday. "I'm very disappointed that the NCAA ruled against us," Schiano said. "We're really disappointed. You want guys to play in bowl games ... not many teams have accepted bowl games with eight days notice, had two practices and played in the game. A draft-eligible player comes back to play, to me, that's pretty special. Unfortunately, he got injured. I think that's extenuating circumstances. I understand the whole amateurism thing, but eight days notice? That's extenuating circumstances. I'm not sure how you can define it any other way. I'd like them to come and get a team ready to go, get a plane during the second-biggest outbreak of COVID and say that's not extenuating circumstances. I don't understand that." - Star Ledger

rSr/2022

OLB Drew Singleton, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

08/06/22 - Johnny Langan, rSr/2024, Rutgers + More +

Bo Melton and Isaih Pacheco, who led Rutgers in receiving and rushing, respectively, for each of the past three seasons, were both selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft this April. Can the Scarlet Knights replace their production? There are some strong candidates on the outside. Taj Harris was one of the best receivers in the ACC at Syracuse, while Sean Ryan flashed his potential at West Virginia. Aron Cruickshank, who is on pace to recover from his torn ACL in time to participate in the season opener, and Joshua Youngblood are two of the most dynamic athletes in the Big Ten. Shameen Jones, who finished second behind Melton in receiving yards in the last two seasons, has a chance to break through. And if no receivers can fill the void, there is always do-it-all offensive weapon Johnny Langan. - Star Ledger

rSr/2024

FB Johnny Langan, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

08/05/22 - Jahzion Harris, Jr/2025, Rutgers + More +

Rutgers just added a playmaker off the edge to a up-and-coming group of talented defensive linemen in Piscataway when former four-star Texas A&M edge Jahzion Harris, originally from Erasmus Hall in Brooklyn, N.Y., announced that he will transfer to Rutgers joining five other ex-E-Hall players on the banks. And here's what the highly-rated four-star, who is eligible to play this fall, will add to Rutgers' defense. Harris is 6-foot-5 with a large wingspan, and he's really agile, explosive and pops off the film like Moses Walker, who also played at E-Hall and now plays at Rutgers, did. Harris can dip his shoulder and turn the corner quickly and subtly, showcasing bend.

He also has a quick hesitation move that he uses to free himself up, along with a swipe and wrong shoulder, dip-and-rip move. Plus, he's versatile and can stack-and-shed and use his length to keep the hands of linemen off his frame, flashing the fight it takes to win battles inside. He sometimes plays tall and must and add bulk, but has really good balance and a calmness to his game, yet good reactionary quickness and he can change direction and run. Watching Harris at a high school prospect camp years back (I think it may have been Nike camp), I remember his lightning quick first-step, and long, sleek athletic frame. He reminds me some class of 2021 Timber Creek-turned-IMG edge Jihaad Campbell, who now plays at Alabama, and is league-bound. - Star Ledger

Jr/2025

OLB Jahzion Harris, Rutgers
News Source: Star Ledger
Share/Comment: Here

08/03/22 - Aron Cruickshank, rSr/2023, Rutgers + More +

2022 PRESEASON PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST: Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers,...Cruickshank enters 2022 with 3,129 career all-purpose yards (2,194 kickoff return, 523 receiving yards, 245 rushing yards, 167 punt return yards) in 43 games. He was also on the Paul Hornung Award watch list last season. Cruickshank recorded 153 yards on eight punt returns in 2021, including a 62-yard touchdown versus Delaware. The performance helped earn Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week.

Cruickshank added 55 yards on two punt returns versus Temple. He ripped off a season-best 57-yard kickoff return against the Owls as well. Overall, the New York native finished second on the Scarlet Knights with 743 all-purpose yards (316 kickoff return, 244 receiving, 153 punt return, 30 rushing) in seven games played. That included receiving touchdowns versus Ohio State and Michigan State. Cruickshank owns five career kick return touchdowns (four kickoff, one punt) and was named the Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year and honorable mention All-America (Phil Steele) in 2020. - Rutgers Football

rSr/2023