With the transfer portal window officially closed, Rutgers football has a clearer picture of where things stand heading into the next phase of the offseason. The Scarlet Knights have already made some notable additions on both sides of the ball, but the job’s far from done.
There are still several key areas that need reinforcements if Rutgers wants to take the next step in the Big Ten. Let’s break down the five biggest positional needs the Knights still have to address through the portal.
1. Defensive Line: Still Searching for Starters
If there’s one area that screams for immediate help, it’s the defensive line-across the board. Rutgers is still looking to solidify both defensive end and interior tackle spots.
Rondo Porter, the Appalachian State transfer, looks like he could step in and start at one of the defensive tackle positions. But that still leaves one tackle spot and both EDGE roles wide open.
Malachi Davis (Toledo) and Jaedin Lee (Maine) bring some rotational value, but neither has the kind of production that suggests they’re ready to be every-down starters in the Big Ten trenches. The Knights aren’t expected to land many Power Five-caliber linemen at this point, so the focus will likely shift to high-ceiling players from the FCS or Group of Five ranks-guys who’ve been productive at their level and are hungry to prove they belong on the big stage. Rutgers has had some success with that formula before, but they’ll need to hit on a few more if they want to avoid a major drop-off up front.
2. Safety: A Position in Flux
The safety room is in a precarious spot. Veteran Jett Elad is graduating, and returning starter Kaj Sanders struggled mightily last season-graded as one of the lowest-performing safeties in the FBS. That’s not a great starting point for a unit that already lacked depth.
The high school recruiting pipeline doesn’t appear to have a plug-and-play solution ready to go, which means the portal will need to deliver-and in a big way. Rutgers is going to need at least two, probably three, safeties who can come in and compete right away.
That includes not only a reliable starter to pair with Sanders (or potentially replace him), but also a couple of quality backups who can step in if injuries hit. This is a group that needs both talent and experience, and fast.
3. Cornerback: One More Piece Needed
Cornerback is in a better spot than safety, but it’s not quite settled yet. Rutgers needed to replace three corners this offseason and has landed two so far through the portal. That’s a solid start, but there’s still one starting spot up for grabs-and the current depth hasn’t shown enough to inspire confidence.
The good news? The players they’ve added are capable.
The bad news? The position group is still one injury away from being stretched thin.
Ideally, Rutgers finds one more starting-caliber corner in the portal and adds at least one more developmental piece to bolster the depth chart. In a conference where passing attacks are getting more dynamic, being thin at corner is a risk you don’t want to take.
4. Wide Receiver: A Mixed Bag
Retaining KJ Duff was a big win-no question about it. The talented wideout staying put gives the offense a reliable option moving forward.
But the losses of Ian Strong (to the portal) and D.T. Sheffield (to graduation) leave two starting receiver spots wide open.
There’s some internal talent that could step up and claim one of those jobs, but the other spot likely needs to be filled from the outside. Rutgers has had success in the past finding high-output receivers from smaller programs, and that’s probably the blueprint again. If they can land a proven playmaker from the FCS or Group of Five level, it would go a long way toward stabilizing the passing game.
5. Tight End: Low Usage, But Still a Need
Rutgers doesn’t lean heavily on tight ends in their offensive scheme, but that doesn’t mean the position can be ignored. Kenny Fletcher Jr., the team’s most productive tight end last season, is set to graduate. That leaves a void, especially in red zone and short-yardage situations where a big target can make a difference.
The Knights did bring in Kam Anthony from Ball State, but he’s coming off an Achilles injury and hasn’t put up numbers that suggest he’s ready to be a Big Ten starter. Even if the tight end won’t be a focal point of the offense, having a reliable blocker and occasional pass-catcher at the position can only help-especially for a team that’s still figuring out its quarterback situation. One more addition at tight end, preferably a healthy, experienced player, would give the offense a little more flexibility.
The Bottom Line
Rutgers has made some solid moves in the portal, but there’s still work to do. The defensive line and safety positions are top priorities, with cornerback, wide receiver, and tight end not far behind.
The Knights don’t need to hit home runs at every spot-but they do need a few more dependable, game-ready players who can help them compete in one of the toughest conferences in college football. The second portal window in the spring will be crucial.
Until then, it’s all about evaluating what’s left and making the right fits count.