After a tough five-win campaign in 2025, Greg Schiano and Rutgers football are hitting the reset button with a roster reshaped by the transfer portal. The Scarlet Knights lost several key contributors-most notably Ian Strong, Bo Mascoe, Taj White, and Jordan Walker-to the portal, and while the replacements may not be headline-grabbers, they bring enough upside to suggest a more competitive 2026 could be on the table.
Let’s dive into the incoming class, break down what each transfer brings to the table, and assess how this group could impact Rutgers’ trajectory in the Big Ten.
Top of the Class: B+ Transfers with Real Upside
Dylan Lonergan - QB | Boston College
Malachi Davis - EDGE | Toledo
J’Dan Burnett - EDGE | Tulsa
Rutgers didn’t land any obvious A-tier stars in this cycle, but the B+ group offers enough intrigue to potentially swing the program back into bowl contention.
The headline addition is quarterback Dylan Lonergan. Once a Nick Saban recruit at Alabama, Lonergan started last season at Boston College and brings a mix of pedigree and experience.
He threw for over 2,000 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions across 10 games. While his season was a bit of a rollercoaster-hot start, followed by some inconsistency and time on the bench-he enters Piscataway with a legitimate shot to win the starting job.
With sophomore AJ Surace still largely untested, Lonergan’s arrival sets up a spring quarterback battle that could define Rutgers’ 2026 offense. If he can stabilize the position, he might be the most important addition of the offseason.
On defense, Schiano added two promising edge rushers in Malachi Davis and J’Dan Burnett. Davis posted 5.5 sacks at Toledo, and Burnett notched 6.5 at Tulsa-both showing they can get after the quarterback at the Group of Five level. Rutgers fans may understandably be cautious after underwhelming returns from past transfer pass rushers like Eric O'Neill and Bradley Weaver, but if Davis or Burnett can translate their production to Big Ten play, this could be a sneaky-strong duo.
Solid Depth and Potential Starters: The B Tier
Isaiah Cook - IOL | Delaware State
Kevyn Humes - CB | Maryland
Clay Thevenin - RB | Louisiana Tech
Zahmir Dawud - CB | Villanova
This tier is all about potential contributors who could push for playing time and offer valuable depth.
Isaiah Cook, a five-year starter at Delaware State, is an intriguing interior offensive line addition. He dominated at the FCS level, but the jump to Big Ten trenches is a different beast. If he can hold his own, Cook could be a valuable rotational piece-or even more.
Cornerback Kevyn Humes brings Power Five experience from Maryland, where he appeared in 17 games and racked up 23 tackles. He hasn’t had a breakout yet, but he’s got the tools and experience to compete for a starting role in a secondary that needs reinforcements.
Running back Clay Thevenin comes in after a productive year at Louisiana Tech, where he totaled 634 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns, and added 269 receiving yards. With Samuel Brown V and CJ Campbell Jr. gone, Thevenin will be in the mix for backup duties. He’s not a traditional power runner, but his ability as a pass-catcher could give offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca a new wrinkle to work with-especially if they can unlock that part of his game.
Zahmir Dawud, another FCS standout, helped lead Villanova to the FCS semifinals. He’s a polished corner with strong tackling and coverage skills. Like Cook, the question is how his game translates to the Power Five level, but the talent is there.
Depth Adds with Developmental Potential: C+ Tier
Bradlee Jones - CB | The Citadel
Rondo Porter - DL | Appalachian State
Ty Morris - LB | Rice
This group may not turn heads, but they raise the floor of their respective position groups.
Bradlee Jones has been a solid corner at The Citadel, showing good coverage instincts despite some tackling inconsistencies. He’s likely a depth piece for now, but the high target volume he saw could help him adjust quickly to Big Ten receivers.
Rondo Porter is a second-year defensive lineman who showed promise as a run-stopper for Appalachian State. He could carve out a role in early-down situations, but generating interior pressure against Big Ten offensive lines will be a challenge.
Ty Morris brings a lot of tackling experience from Rice, where he finished second on the team in stops last season. He’s a seasoned linebacker with average coverage skills, but his consistency could make him a useful rotational player in Schiano’s defense.
Developmental Depth: C Tier
Kameron Anthony - TE | Ball State
Everett Small - OT | Eastern Michigan
Jaedin Lee - DL | Maine
These three aren’t expected to play major roles right away, but they provide important depth and injury insurance.
Tight end Kameron Anthony, offensive tackle Everett Small, and defensive lineman Jaedin Lee all come from smaller programs and face steep competition to crack the rotation. Still, their presence helps stabilize the roster and ensures Rutgers isn’t one or two injuries away from a crisis at key positions.
Final Grade: B
This wasn’t a headline-grabbing portal class, but it was strategic. Schiano and his staff didn’t go for flash-they went for fit. They addressed key needs with experienced players, many of whom have a chance to contribute right away.
Whether this group is enough to push Rutgers into bowl eligibility will depend on how well the top-end transfers-especially Lonergan and the edge rushers-adjust to Big Ten speed and size. But there’s a clear plan here: plug the holes, raise the floor, and give the team a fighting chance to compete week in and week out.
It’s not a rebuild. It’s a recalibration. And if a few of these pieces click, 2026 could look a lot different in Piscataway.