The 2027 recruiting cycle is still in its early stages, but Rutgers is already making moves-and making them count. The Scarlet Knights have secured their first commitment in tight end Sydney Padilla out of West Orange High School, a promising start as they look to build a class that can address key positional needs and elevate the program’s trajectory.
At this point in the calendar, most prospects in the 2027 class are still in the evaluation phase. Unofficial visits are happening, sure, but the real action-the official visits-typically doesn’t kick off until late May. That’s been the trend in recent years, and it looks like 2026 will follow suit.
So far, Rutgers has cast a wide net, extending 77 scholarship offers according to 247Sports. While a few of those targets have already committed elsewhere, the majority remain uncommitted, leaving plenty of opportunity on the board.
Recruiting buzz is always a moving target, but 247Sports provides a helpful gauge with its cool-to-warm interest scale. Right now, most prospects are still in the “cool” category when it comes to Rutgers, which is expected at this stage. But two names stand out as “warm”: Esa Wittingburg and Terrance Smith.
Wittingburg, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound EDGE rusher from East Orange High School, picked up his Rutgers offer during a school visit from head coach Greg Schiano-an early sign of how seriously the staff is pursuing him. Smith, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound interior offensive lineman with four-star credentials. His size and pedigree make him one of the more coveted linemen in the class, and Rutgers is clearly in the mix.
Quarterback recruiting is also heating up. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca personally visited two four-star signal-callers from Illinois-Israel Abrams and Jake Nawrot.
That’s notable, as in-person visits from coordinators this early in the cycle aren’t all that common. It speaks to the level of interest and the potential fit both players might have in Rutgers’ evolving offensive scheme.
The Knights have also extended an offer to three-star QB Kevin Verpeale out of Florida, who’s currently committed to Pitt. That one’s worth watching.
Beyond the quarterback room, Rutgers continues to evaluate top-tier talent across the board. The coaching staff recently made a trip to see Colt Lumpris, a four-star athlete committed to Alabama who plays at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey.
At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Lumpris is the kind of dynamic, multi-positional player who can change the outlook of a recruiting class. They also checked in on Jamar Taylor, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound wide receiver from Wilmington, Delaware, who holds a three-star rating.
One of the early bright spots on the recruiting trail has been new offensive line coach Jim Turner. Since joining the staff this offseason, Turner has wasted no time making his presence felt.
He’s been on the road for in-home visits with prospects like Texas offensive lineman Chase Allen and Delaware four-star OT Layton Von Brandt. Turner also played a key role in securing the commitment of 2026 OL Ian Asaeli Ngaue-Stephenson, showing he’s already helping to shape the future of the unit.
Looking ahead, Rutgers has its first official visit on the calendar. Three-star running back Aiden Gibson out of South Carolina is scheduled to be on campus May 29. As of now, he’s the only player with a visit locked in, but that number will climb quickly as spring turns to summer.
The Knights have also extended an offer to Zion Vilma, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound athlete from Lake Worth, Florida. Vilma remains unranked by both 247Sports and Rivals, but his frame and athletic profile make him an intriguing project with upside.
One major hurdle Rutgers is currently facing: the absence of a defensive coordinator. As of February 3, the position remains unfilled, and that’s having a ripple effect-not just in terms of recruiting high school talent, but also in the transfer portal.
Defensive recruits want to know who they’ll be playing for and what system they’ll be in. Until that question is answered, it’s going to be tough sledding on that side of the ball.
Still, despite the challenges, Rutgers is laying the groundwork for what could be a strong 2027 class. With key staffers making targeted visits and the first commitment already in the books, the pieces are starting to come together. Now, it’s about momentum-and making sure the coaching staff is fully in place to capitalize on it.