With the transfer portal window now closed and Rutgers’ 2026 class nearly set, it’s time to start connecting the dots-how do these new additions fit into the Scarlet Knights' plans, and what kind of impact can they make in the Big Ten? One name to keep an eye on is edge rusher J'Dan Burnett, who brings a unique path and promising potential to Piscataway.
Burnett’s journey has already taken him through Louisiana Tech and Tulsa, and now he’s landed in a conference that doesn’t exactly ease players in. The Big Ten is a different beast, but Burnett’s upside is what has Rutgers intrigued. He’s one of two edge rushers the Scarlet Knights picked up through the portal, and he’s walking into a situation where opportunity is very much on the table.
That opportunity comes in part because Burnett is expected to step into the role vacated by Bradley Weaver. Weaver, a high-profile addition from Ohio last year, arrived with plenty of buzz but never quite found his footing in Rutgers’ system.
He posted 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 25 total tackles-not terrible numbers, but a clear step back from his production at Ohio. There were moments where it looked like he might turn the corner, but consistency never followed.
That’s where Burnett comes in. He’s not just filling a spot on the depth chart-he’s being brought in to raise the bar at the edge position.
Rutgers needs someone who can generate pressure off the edge, disrupt the backfield, and force opposing offenses to account for him. If Burnett can translate his skill set to the Big Ten stage, he could be a key piece in a defense that’s looking to take the next step.
There’s no sugarcoating the challenge ahead. The jump in competition from the Group of Five to the Big Ten is real.
But Burnett has shown flashes that suggest he’s ready for it. His blend of speed and length gives him the tools to be an effective pass rusher, and with a full offseason to get acclimated to Rutgers’ scheme, there’s reason to believe he can make an impact sooner rather than later.
For a program like Rutgers, which continues to build its identity under Greg Schiano, these portal additions aren’t just about plugging holes-they’re about finding players who can elevate the standard. Burnett has the chance to be one of those guys. Now it’s about development, fit, and whether he can seize the moment when it comes.
The Scarlet Knights are betting that he can.