Rutgers Football Transfer Portal: Defensive Additions Bring Promise, But Questions Remain
As Rutgers continues to retool its roster through the transfer portal, the focus in part two of this series shifts to the defensive side of the ball. After a season that left plenty of room for improvement on defense, the Scarlet Knights have gone hunting for reinforcements-and while they’ve landed some intriguing names, the rebuild is far from complete.
Let’s break down the key defensive additions Rutgers has made so far and what each player brings to the table.
Linebacker: Ty Morris (Rice)
If there’s one area on defense that looks close to set, it’s linebacker-and Ty Morris is a big reason why. The former Rice standout arrives in Piscataway with a resume that suggests he’s ready to make the jump to Big Ten football. Morris earned All-AAC second team honors in 2024 and took another step forward in 2025, finishing with 88 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery.
At 6-foot-2 and 229 pounds, Morris may need to bulk up a bit to handle the physicality of the Big Ten week in and week out, but that’s something a Power Five strength and conditioning program can take care of. More importantly, he’s a proven producer with sideline-to-sideline speed and a nose for the football.
With Morris joining returning contributors like Abram Wright and Moses Walker, plus emerging talents such as DJ McClary and Kamar Archie, linebacker is shaping up to be one of the most complete-and competitive-position groups on the roster. Given that Rutgers often runs with just two linebackers on the field, they’ve got the depth and flexibility to be selective with rotations.
Defensive Tackle: Jaedin Lee (Maine)
Lee makes the jump from FCS to the Big Ten, and while the physical tools are there-he’s listed at 6-foot-3, 310 pounds-this is more of a long-term play for Rutgers. After a quiet first year at Maine, Lee became a regular contributor in 2025, tallying 32 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.
He’s got two years of eligibility left, which gives Rutgers time to develop him into a more consistent presence up front. Right now, Lee projects as a depth piece, someone who could work into the rotation but isn’t likely to be a starter from day one. The Knights still need to find a plug-and-play defensive tackle in the portal to shore up the interior.
Cornerback: Zahmir Dawud (Villanova)
Rutgers is undergoing a complete overhaul at cornerback, and Dawud is one of the new faces expected to help anchor the secondary. Coming from a strong Villanova defense that made a deep FCS playoff run, Dawud brings experience and production. In 2025, he racked up 44 tackles, defended 11 passes, and picked off two passes.
At 6-foot and 185 pounds, Dawud has the frame and instincts to compete at the Power Five level. He also drew interest from schools like Cincinnati, Minnesota, and UCLA, which speaks to his upside. His development will depend in part on who Rutgers hires as its next cornerbacks coach, but Dawud has the potential to be a key piece in a revamped secondary.
EDGE: Malachi Davis (Toledo)
Let’s be blunt: Rutgers’ pass rush was nearly nonexistent last season, and with top rusher Eric O’Neill gone, it’s a major area of need. Enter Malachi Davis, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher from Toledo who brings some juice off the edge.
Davis posted 36 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 2025, earning All-MAC third team honors. He’s not necessarily the game-changing edge threat Rutgers needs to transform its pass rush, but he’s a solid addition who can rotate in and provide pressure in key spots. With one year of eligibility left, Davis is a short-term asset who could be even more valuable if the Knights add another proven pass rusher to the mix.
Defensive Tackle: Rondo Porter (Appalachian State)
Of all the defensive transfers, Porter might be the most Big Ten-ready. He started his career at South Carolina, where he saw the field as a freshman, before transferring to Appalachian State and becoming a full-time starter. In 2025, he totaled 43 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and earned All-Sun Belt honorable mention honors.
Porter plays with an edge-his film shows a gritty, physical interior lineman who doesn’t shy away from contact and knows how to hold his ground. At 6-foot and 295 pounds, he’s not the biggest nose tackle, but he’s battle-tested and brings a level of experience and toughness that Rutgers needs in the trenches. If there’s a defensive transfer who could make an immediate impact, Porter might be the guy.
Cornerback: Bradlee Jones (The Citadel)
Jones fits the mold Greg Schiano has favored in recent years: long, fast, and athletic. A multi-sport athlete at The Citadel, Jones won several SoCon track championships while also locking down opposing receivers on the football field.
He’s been a starter since 2024 and had a strong 2025 campaign, posting 53 tackles, eight pass breakups, and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. In coverage, he allowed 29 receptions on 45 targets for 382 yards and three scores-not lockdown numbers, but solid considering the level of competition.
What sets Jones apart is his speed. He has the wheels to keep up with Big Ten receivers, and that alone gives him a chance to be one of the more impactful additions from this transfer class. His athletic profile makes him a high-upside project with the potential to crack the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
Rutgers has made some solid moves to fortify its defense through the portal, but this rebuild is still a work in progress. The linebacker group looks like a strength, thanks to the addition of Ty Morris and the return of several key contributors.
The defensive line has added some depth, but still needs a true difference-maker in the middle. And in the secondary, the Knights are betting on athleticism and upside to replace an entirely new starting group at corner.
There’s talent here, no doubt. But if Rutgers wants to take the next step in the Big Ten, they’ll need a few of these transfers to not just contribute-but to elevate the unit as a whole.