National Signing Day used to be the main event-a day circled in red on every college football fan’s calendar. But in today’s recruiting landscape, the spotlight has shifted. The early signing period in December has taken over as the true headliner, and for Rutgers, that shift was on full display this cycle.
Out of the Scarlet Knights’ 23 commits in the 2026 class, 22 put pen to paper during the early signing period. Only one recruit waited for the traditional February date: offensive lineman Ian Asaeli Ngaue-Stephenson.
If that last name sounds familiar to Rutgers fans, it should-he’s the son of former Scarlet Knight Cameron Stephenson, bringing a legacy element to this year’s class. Rated as a three-star prospect by both Rivals and On3, Stephenson rounds out a group that’s already deep in numbers and potential.
What’s especially notable about this class isn’t just who signed, but when they arrived. Twenty-one of the 23 signees are early enrollees, meaning they’ve already left high school behind and are on campus getting a head start.
That’s a big deal. These players now get an extra six months in the program-learning the playbook, working in the weight room, and getting valuable reps during spring ball.
It’s not just about being ahead academically; it's about being game-ready sooner.
The only early signee who didn’t enroll early is linebacker Tanner Raymond. He and Stephenson will join the team this summer, but the rest of the class is already in the building, setting the tone for what could be a foundational group.
So where does this class stack up? According to Rivals and On3, Rutgers lands at No. 38 nationally.
247Sports has them just a tick higher at No. 37.
Both rankings place the Scarlet Knights right behind Stanford, while Rutgers edges out Houston in the 247 rankings and Georgia Tech in the Rivals/On3 composite. That’s solid territory-especially for a program still trying to carve out its place in the Big Ten hierarchy.
As for star power, Rivals and On3 both highlight two four-star signees: safety Messiah Tilson and wide receiver Dyzier Carter. 247Sports expands that list to include edge rusher Rinaldo Callaway III and cornerback Devonte Anderson, giving Rutgers four four-stars in their eyes. That’s the kind of top-end talent that can shift the trajectory of a program.
One name that could’ve added even more juice to this class was Wydeek Collier, a four-star prospect who initially looked set to join the 2026 group. Instead, he reclassified to 2025, a move that slightly lowered the current class’s ranking but keeps him in the fold for the future.
And don’t be surprised if Rutgers isn’t done just yet. In recent years, they’ve made a habit of pulling off a late addition-convincing a player to reclassify and join the roster a year early. It’s a trend worth watching as the summer approaches.
Bottom line: Rutgers may not have made a splash on the traditional Signing Day, but they’ve already done most of their heavy lifting. With early enrollees already grinding in Piscataway and a few standout names leading the way, this 2026 class is shaping up as a strong building block for the program’s future.