The East/West Shrine Bowl 1,000 was released today, and Rutgers has nine names on the list. The list is a collection of the top 1,000 all-star game-eligible players at the FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA levels, and is an early look into the scouting process for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Transfer running back CJ Campbell Jr. was one of the first names on the list. During his last season at Florida Atlantic University, he ran for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 40 receptions for 466
yards in the passing game. He has 17 total touchdowns in 28 career games
Next on the list was star Linebacker Dariel Djabome. DJabome recorded 105 tackles last season, good for second in the Big Ten. He also recorded a team-high 7.5 tackles-for-loss, with two forced fumbles as well.
Offensive Lineman Bryan Felter was named to the list as well. Felter is entering his sixth season at Rutgers and has played in 44 games with 20 starts. He earned all Big ten honorable mention in 2023 as a part of a unit that allowed the fewest sacks per game that same year.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was named to the list after having a strong end to last season. Last year, the Rutgers signal caller completed 213-of-395 passes for 2,696 yards and 18 touchdowns in becoming the first Rutgers passer to reach 2,000 yards in a season since 2015. The offense averaged 28.9 points per game with Kaliakmanis at the helm.
Defensive back Bo Mascoe is an up and coming name who made the list. He played in all 13 games last season, starting in four of them. He recorded 50 tackles last season, five pass breakups, and one interception.
Defensive Lineman Eric O’Neill is another one of Rutgers' transfers who made the list. Last season for James Madison, O’Neill totaled 52 tackles with 18.5 for loss and 13 sacks on his way to being named an All-American.
Transfer Wide receiver DT Sheffield also found himself on the list. Last season, Sheffield totaled 66 receptions for 822 yards and 11 touchdowns, which led the American Athletic Conference. He also recorded four games with 100 passing yards.
Defensive lineman Bradley Weaver was another transfer defensive lineman to make the list. He was on the All-MAC team last year for Ohio University and has 102 career tackles with 29.5 for loss and 14.5 sacks.
OL Gus Zilinskas was the last Rutgers name on the list. He has been a Big Ten honorable mention twice, and he started every game for the Knights last season. He was rated as the No. 8 center in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. Zilinskas was also a part of an offensive line that earned a spot on the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll.
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