As we close out the final days of 2025, there’s no slowing down in Piscataway. Between the transfer portal heating up for football and a pivotal week ahead for Rutgers basketball, there’s plenty to track across the Scarlet Knights' landscape. Let’s break it all down.
From the Gridiron: Rutgers Football Preps for Portal Moves and Postseason Showcases
The college football offseason is officially here, and for Rutgers, that means two things: the transfer portal is about to open, and several former players are gearing up for a big opportunity to impress NFL scouts.
Let’s start with the postseason honors. Five former Scarlet Knights have accepted invites to the Hula Bowl, a key all-star showcase that gives draft hopefuls a chance to turn heads in front of NFL personnel. Safety Jett Elad, cornerback Cam Miller, and linebacker Dariel Djabome will represent the defense, while quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and wideout DT Sheffield will suit up on offense.
Sheffield, who hauled in 44 catches during his lone season at Rutgers, sees this as a springboard moment. He spoke recently about how his time in Piscataway helped sharpen his game.
“Rutgers was a good decision for me with NFL-experienced coaches building that program to be something special,” Sheffield said. “I learned that a smarter player is a better player.
Knowing the details of routes, and the details of different leverages on defensive backs. I learned about taking things from the film room to the field will help you a lot.
I also learned that when things get hard to keep chopping.”
That last line-keep chopping-is more than a slogan in this program. It’s a mentality.
And it’ll be on full display Jan. 10 in Deland, Florida, when these five players showcase their skills during the Hula Bowl. But perhaps just as important as the game itself is the week of practice leading up to it, where scouts will be watching closely to see who stands out when the pads come on.
Meanwhile, the transfer portal is about to open on Friday, and that’s where things could get busy. Rutgers, like every program in the country, will be looking to both fill holes and fend off departures.
One departure already confirmed: linebacker Talibi Kaba, a former four-star recruit out of Hillside High School in New Jersey, plans to enter the portal on January 2. Kaba didn’t see the field in his lone season with the Scarlet Knights but will have four years of eligibility remaining as he looks for a fresh start elsewhere.
There’s also another change coming on the coaching front. Cornerbacks coach David Rowe is heading to Cincinnati, becoming the fifth assistant from last year’s staff to move on.
Rowe joins a growing list that includes offensive line coach Pat Flaherty, defensive line coach Colin Ferrell, and co-defensive coordinators Zach Sparber and Robb Smith. That leaves Greg Schiano with more staff spots to fill as he continues to reshape the program heading into 2026.
On the Hardwood: Rutgers Basketball Looks to Build Momentum
The Scarlet Knights had a week off, and the timing couldn’t have been better. After a nail-biting win over Penn, Rutgers has had nine full days to reset, recover, and prepare for a two-game stretch that could help swing the early part of their season.
First up: Delaware State tonight at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
EST. Rutgers enters at 6-6, while Delaware State comes in at 4-10, fresh off a win over Holy Family University.
On paper, this is a game the Scarlet Knights should control-Delaware State sits at No. 352 in the NET rankings, while Rutgers checks in at No. 196-but we’ve seen enough in college hoops to know nothing is guaranteed.
The Knights will be looking to ride the momentum from their thrilling 70-69 win over Penn, a game that saw Tariq Francis explode for 34 points, including the game-winner with just two seconds left on the clock. That performance earned him Big Ten Co-Player of the Week honors and a big nod from head coach Steve Pikiell.
“What a response for Tariq in this game,” Pikiell said. “We challenged him after that Seton Hall game, and he had a great week of practice. He didn't turn the ball over, really bounced back, and played really good basketball.”
Francis’ emergence is a huge development for a Rutgers team still looking to find its identity. If he can continue to play at that level, it changes the ceiling for this group.
After Delaware State, it’s back to Big Ten play on Friday night when Rutgers hosts Ohio State. That one tips off at 8:00 p.m.
EST and will air on Peacock. The Buckeyes are 9-3 and currently sit at No. 43 in the NET rankings-a step up in competition and a real test for a Rutgers team trying to build consistency.
Final Word
Whether it’s players chasing their NFL dreams, coaches on the move, or hoops heating up heading into conference play, Rutgers athletics is closing out 2025 with plenty of storylines. The next few weeks will be telling-not just for where the program is now, but for where it’s headed in 2026.