Bo Mascoe Enters Transfer Portal After Breakout Season at Rutgers
Rutgers is bracing for a significant loss on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Bo Mascoe, one of the Scarlet Knights’ most consistent performers this past season, has officially entered the transfer portal.
Mascoe’s departure is a blow to a Rutgers secondary that, despite individual bright spots, struggled as a unit throughout the year. The sophomore corner started all 12 games and earned All-Big Ten honors-no small feat on a defense that ranked near the bottom of the conference in several key categories.
Let’s talk production. Mascoe finished the season with 53 total tackles, one interception, and four passes defended.
He showed up in big moments too, posting a career-high nine tackles not once, but twice-on the road at Illinois and again at Ohio State. That kind of performance in hostile environments speaks volumes about his poise and physicality.
This wasn’t a one-year flash, either. Mascoe saw action in all 13 games as a freshman, including four starts, and made his collegiate debut in the Pinstripe Bowl win over Miami. Even in that limited action, he showed signs of what was to come-registering two tackles and looking right at home on a big stage.
Coming out of Florida as a three-star recruit, Mascoe was ranked the No. 61 cornerback nationally in the 2023 class and had offers from programs like Boston College, Iowa, and Iowa State. Rutgers landed a promising athlete with upside, and over the last two seasons, Mascoe turned that promise into production.
But while Mascoe was a bright spot, the Rutgers defense as a whole had a tough year. The Scarlet Knights finished as the worst total defense in the Big Ten, allowing 432.8 yards per game. They also gave up 222.9 passing yards per contest-fifth-worst in the conference-and allowed 31.8 points per game, ranking second-to-last in scoring defense.
It’s no surprise then that head coach Greg Schiano made changes after the season, parting ways with co-defensive coordinators Robb Smith and Zach Sparber. A reset on that side of the ball was overdue, and Mascoe’s exit only adds to the urgency.
According to reports, Mascoe is expected to draw serious interest from Power Four programs. That tracks-he’s a young, experienced corner with size, production, and two years of eligibility remaining. He’ll be one of the more sought-after defensive backs in the portal.
For Rutgers, the offseason just got even more important. Schiano has said repeatedly that the program is better positioned in the NIL space and plans to be deliberate in the transfer portal. That approach will be tested now, especially with a key defensive contributor on his way out.
Mascoe’s next move will be one to watch. For Rutgers, the challenge will be finding the next Bo Mascoe-before someone else does.