Rutgers continues to reshape its defense through the portal, and the latest addition brings both production and experience off the edge. J’Dan Burnett, a seasoned pass rusher who spent last season at Tulsa after four years with Louisiana Tech, is heading to Piscataway. At 6-foot, 250 pounds, the Fort Worth native brings a physical presence and a resume that shows steady growth and resilience.
Burnett’s college journey has been anything but straightforward, but it’s that winding path that makes his arrival at Rutgers so intriguing. After redshirting his freshman year at Louisiana Tech, he carved out a role in his sophomore season, appearing in all 12 games and earning a start.
A serious leg injury cut short his junior year just three games in, but Burnett bounced back in 2024, again suiting up for every game and making three starts at defensive end. By the time he wrapped up his stint with the Bulldogs, he had totaled 54 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks - solid numbers that hint at his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield.
His lone season at Tulsa was where things really started to click. Burnett played in all 12 games, logging 30 or more snaps in each - a clear sign of how much the coaching staff trusted him to be a consistent presence on the field.
Despite starting just five times, he led the team with 6.5 sacks and added 9.5 tackles for loss, 28 total tackles, and a forced fumble. That performance earned him second-team All-AAC honors, and his standout moment came in Tulsa’s 19-12 win over Oklahoma State, where he racked up five pressures and a sack - the kind of performance that turns heads in both coaching offices and scouting departments.
Burnett had visits lined up with Florida State and Iowa, but those plans were scrapped after his trip to Rutgers. He committed earlier in the day and is expected to sign with the Scarlet Knights tomorrow before enrolling in classes on Tuesday.
This move marks the second edge rusher Rutgers has landed through the portal this cycle, joining Malachi Davis from Toledo. Burnett becomes the twelfth portal addition for a Scarlet Knights program that is clearly not content with the status quo - especially on defense. After a 2025 season that left plenty to be desired on that side of the ball, Rutgers is going all-in on a defensive rebuild.
The Knights have already brought in cornerbacks Zahmir Dawud and Bradlee Jones, defensive linemen Rondo Porter and Jaedin Lee, and All-AAC linebacker Ty Morris. On offense, the reinforcements include quarterback Dylan Lonergan from Boston College, tackles Everett Small and Isaiah Cook, running back Clay Thevenin, and tight end Kam Anthony.
Burnett’s arrival adds another layer to what’s shaping up to be a deeper, more aggressive Rutgers front seven. With his blend of experience, motor, and proven production, he could be a key piece in turning around a defense that’s hungry for a new identity.