As the 2027 recruiting class heats up, Rutgers is gearing up to make some significant moves. With only one commitment so far from tight end Sydney Padilla of West Orange High School, the Scarlet Knights are eager to bolster their roster with top-tier talent.
Most prospects in this class are still weighing their options, with many having taken unofficial visits. Rutgers' first official visit weekend is slated for the end of May, a tradition they’ve maintained over the years. Among the early visitors is three-star safety Lance Henderson from Durham, North Carolina, who’s set to visit on Thursday, May 28th.
Joining him on May 29th are four-star wide receiver Javien Robinson from McKeesport, PA, and high three-star running back Aiden Gibson from Woodruff, SC. Also visiting that day are three-star wide receiver Jamar Taylor from Salesianum High School in Wilmington, Delaware, and Isaiah Alvarez, a promising wide receiver from Don Bosco Prep.
Padilla, the current commit, plans his official visit for June 5th. Alongside him, Taylor is another player Rutgers is hopeful to secure.
Rutgers has been proactive, extending 104 scholarship offers, a notable increase from earlier in the year. While some athletes have committed elsewhere, many remain undecided, keeping the door open for potential flips before signing day.
According to 247sports, Rutgers' appeal ranges from cool to warm among recruits. Four players currently show a warm interest, including Robinson and Taylor.
Joining them is four-star interior offensive lineman Terrance Smith from Lansdale Catholic in Pennsylvania. Smith, standing at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, is also being courted by powerhouses like Ohio State, LSU, and Georgia, making for stiff competition.
On the defensive side, unranked EDGE Esa Wittingburg from East Orange, New Jersey, is also warm on Rutgers. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Wittingburg is in early talks with Syracuse, but no official visits are confirmed yet.
With the recent hiring of defensive coordinator Travis Johansen and former Minnesota defensive line coach Dennis Dottin-Carter, Rutgers is keen to strengthen their defensive recruiting. The interior defensive line remains a priority, an area they’ve struggled with in recent years. The hope is that these strategic hires will turn the tide and bring in the needed talent to solidify the Knights’ future.