Rutgers is set to add a familiar name to its offensive line pipeline-and this one comes with a legacy connection that runs deep in Scarlet Knight history.
Ian Asaeli Ngaue-Stephenson, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound offensive lineman out of Mesa High School in Arizona, gave his commitment to Rutgers following a weekend visit. He’s expected to make it official during the late signing period this week, becoming the 23rd member of Rutgers’ 2026 recruiting class.
But this isn’t just another big body in the trenches. Ngaue-Stephenson is the son of former Rutgers standout Cam Stephenson, a key piece of the offensive line that helped power the Scarlet Knights to a top-10 national ranking during their unforgettable 2006 season. That group helped Rutgers climb as high as No. 7 in the polls before finishing the year ranked No. 12-still one of the high points in program history.
Cam Stephenson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft and spent time with several NFL teams, including the Packers, Saints, Jaguars, and Chargers. These days, he’s coaching at Mesa High, where his son just wrapped up his high school career.
Ian doesn’t just bring a football pedigree-he brings athletic versatility. He also competes in wrestling and field events, traits that often translate well to trench work in the Big Ten.
His commitment makes him the fifth offensive lineman in Rutgers’ 2026 class, continuing a clear trend under head coach Greg Schiano: build from the inside out. Since returning to the program, Schiano has consistently emphasized depth and development along the offensive front, and Ngaue-Stephenson fits that mold.
He’s also one of just two players in the class who will delay enrollment until the summer. Linebacker Tanner Raymond is the only other 2026 commit who didn’t join the team for the spring semester.
Recruitment-wise, Ngaue-Stephenson drew attention from multiple programs down the stretch, with Southern Mississippi among those making a late push. But the family ties and the visit to Piscataway sealed the deal.
With his pledge, Rutgers continues to expand its national recruiting footprint. Ngaue-Stephenson is the only Arizona-based commit in the class, which now includes players from 10 different states. Interestingly, just two of those commits hail from New Jersey, highlighting Schiano’s willingness to cast a wide net in pursuit of talent.
The 2026 class currently ranks No. 41 nationally according to the 247Sports composite (not including transfers), placing Rutgers 10th in the Big Ten-just behind reigning national champion Indiana.
When Ngaue-Stephenson arrives on campus, he’ll be working under new leadership on the offensive line. Jim Turner, a seasoned assistant with extensive college and NFL experience, has taken over the position group following the departure of Pat Flaherty after two seasons.
For Rutgers, this isn’t just a recruiting win-it’s a full-circle moment. A decade and a half after Cam Stephenson helped anchor one of the best teams in program history, his son is ready to carve out his own legacy in scarlet and black.