Former four-star linebacker and Rutgers freshman Talibi Kaba has announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal today. The portal itself is not open until January second, but players are allowed
to announce their intentions to join early. He leaves Rutgers with four full years of eligibility remaining.
He joined the Knights as part of a 2025 class that saw a total of five linebackers join the team. Despite Rutgers’ struggles on defense last season, Kaba did not see any playing time, even in games that were blowouts. He would end up redshirting for his freshman season.
Despite having missed his senior season with a torn ACL and a torn meniscus, Kaba was very highly rated coming out of Hillside High School in New Jersey. He was a four-star according to 247sports and had Power Five offers from schools like Boston College, Duke, and Iowa State, among others. He was also the No.35 linebacker in his class, according to 247sports.
Kaba put up impressive numbers in his Junior season in high school. In high school, he primarily played running back, but had the physical attributes to change positions once he got into college. During his junior year at running back, Kaba totaled 95 carries for 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He now becomes the ninth Rutgers player to announce their intentions to transfer this offseason. He is the fifth defensive player to announce his intentions to transfer as well, joining cornerbacks Renick Dorilas and Bo Mascoe, and EDGE rushers Jordan Walker and DJ Allen.
