Since the transfer portal officially closed yesterday for players to enter, it was time to break down Rutgers transfer portal haul so far. This article is part three in a series where we discussed Rutgers football’s additions on offense and defense
via the portal before we discussed what areas they still need to address. This article will cover what the Scarlet Knights still need to add from the Portal.No.1 Defensive Line
This covers both defensive ends and defensive tackles because Rutgers still needs both. DT Rondo
Porter from Appalachian State appears to be a capable starter; however, that still leaves one tackle position open and two starting defensive end/EDGE positions open. EDGE Malachi Davis from Toledo and DT Jaedin Lee from Maine seem to be good rotational pieces, but not who you want starting on a day-in, day-out basis. The Knights won’t be landing many in terms of power five transfers; however, the expectation is that those they land from the lower levels will be very productive at those levels. Lee and Davis were decently productive at the FCS and group of five levels, but nothing that jumped off the page.
No.2 Safety
Safety is a big need for Rutgers as Jett Elad is set to graduate, and Kaj Sanders was rated as one of the worst safeties in FBS football last season. The high school pipeline doesn’t seem to be full of safeties who are ready to play either. It will be hard to justify not making at least two or three major additions to this position group during the off-season. Keep in mind that they not only need to find capable starters, but decent reserves as well.
No.3 Cornerback
Cornerback sits a bit lower on this list than safety and defensive line because Rutgers has already grabbed capable corner talent in the transfer portal. However, the Knights went into the portal needing to replace three corners and have so far only come up with two. Much of the depth has proven unready to take a full-time starting role. Rutgers will need to find one more starting corner in the portal to round out their lineup. Some depth here would be good as well.
No.4 Wide Receiver
Keeping KJ Duff from entering the portal was a big win for the program, and it is something to celebrate. However, losing Ian Strong to the portal and losing DT Sheffield to graduation definitely hurts, as Rutgers will now have to fill two open starting receiver spots. The Knights do have some talent that might be looking to make the jump up to the starting role; however, that will only likely fill one spot, meaning they need to scrape something together for the other one. If Rutgers can land a high-producing wide receiver from a smaller school, as they have in the past, that should be good enough to round out their receiver core.
No.5 Tight End
Rutgers doesn’t use tight ends a lot in their offensive system; however, it would be nice to give whoever the starting quarterback may be another bigger body to target down near the goal line. Plus, having a quality blocker on the end always helps. The Knights’ most productive tight end last season was Kenny Fletcher Jr., who is set to graduate. They did add Ball State transfer Kam Anthony via the portal, but his stats and recent Achilles injury make it hard to believe that he can be a starting Big Ten tight end for next season.
