Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano finds that things at the Birthplace of College Football are different the second time. Rutgers was in the old Big East when Schiano led them to five consecutive winning seasons, including an 11-win season in 2006. Schiano did not have to deal with NIL deals or the transfer portal.
On the other hand, some of the newer aspects of the college game — specifically the transfer portal — should help Rutgers with its turnaround.
It did take Schiano five seasons to build a winner in Piscataway, so they are on schedule in many respects. Winning those two extra conference games isn’t easy playing Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Maryland, and Michigan State every season.
This season, the last of divisions in the Big Ten, will be no different. Schiano is still building a roster that is short on talent and depth. This was a small high school class for the Knights, signing 19 high school players and five players in the transfer portal. One positive from this class is that they signed three of the top 15 prospects in the state.
Although the class is small, some new players should be vying for snaps this fall.
Here is a closer look at three of those players.
3. Naseim Brantley, WR (transfer)
One position the Rutgers recruiting staff went after in volume was a wide receiver, signing four out of high school and one in the transfer portal. There are veteran receivers at the front of the depth chart, but Greg Schiano and new offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca would love for some of the younger receivers to at least push the veterans for snaps.
Incoming freshmen Dylan Braithwaite is listed as 5-foot-10, but that’s being generous. The diminutive dynamo is electric with the football in his hands. Braithwaite could see the field early and often on a team devoid of playmakers. He could be a poor man’s Roscoe Parrish when it’s all said and done.
Jesse Ofurie, another incoming freshman, could see snaps. At 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds, he has the size to play early. He’s a natural route runner who high-points the ball well. He is a versatile receiver, able to line up in the slot or on the perimeter.
However, Western Illinois transfer Naseim Brantley is the receiver to watch. He led the Leathernecks in receiving with 893 yards and was a Phil Steele FCS All-American. Brantley will add punch to an offense that averaged 153 passing yards and 4.4 yards per play in 2022.
2. Isaiah Iton, DL (transfer)
Surprisingly, the Scarlet Knights did not pursue more defensive linemen in high school or the portal this off-season. Rutgers signed one lineman out of high school and one in the portal, though they might not be done in the portal. Odds are they look to the transfer portal after spring practice.
Incoming frosh lineman Djibril Abdou Rahman continues the tradition of Canadian players being recruited by Rutgers. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Rahman could give the Scarlet Knights some instant pass rush early. Many veterans are along the defensive line; however, Rutgers finished 102nd in sacks, so they could use some push in the pass rush.
Mississippi transfer Isaiah Iton gives Rutgers some much-needed size in the middle of the defensive line. Iton was primarily a backup in Oxford but should be a plug-and-play starter for Rutgers. He also gives the Knights much-needed versatility along the line as well. Iton can play tackle and end in a traditional 4-3 defense.
Rutgers was solid defensively but struggled against better teams. The Knights need more bodies to hold up against the run. Iton gives Rutgers that depth.
1. Eric Rogers, CB (transfer)
Rutgers’s pass defense was respectable last season, finishing 35th in the country in passing yards allowed. They didn’t pick many passes off, but opposing quarterbacks did not complete a high percentage of passes. Christian Braswell, last season’s leading interceptor, is gone. Max Melton and Robert Longerbeam, who finished second in interceptions last season, return.
Schiano and the defensive staff did address the defensive backfield in the portal. You can never have too many defensive backs when you play in a division with passing offenses like Maryland, Ohio State, and Penn State. The Scarlet Knights signed just two defensive backs out of high school, but three of their five portal signees were defensive backs.
Minnesota transfer safety Michael Dixon has an opportunity to be a day one starter, with last season’s starting safeties gone. Dixon is a long defender who can defend the deep half, come down, and cover running backs and tight ends. Northern Illinois transfer Eric Rogers returns home to play in New Jersey. Rogers lost time in the last two seasons due to injury.
However, he could compete for the third corner spot with Akron transfer Charles Amankwaa. Rogers’ length at 6-foot-2 makes him an exciting prospect for the long term with three years of eligibility left.